-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
100 Barrel Series #31 - Single Hop ESB
Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall
- From:
- Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall
- Massachusetts, United States
- Style:
- Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB)
- ABV:
- 5.8%
- Score:
- 83
- Avg:
- 3.68 | pDev: 10.87%
- Reviews:
- 122
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Apr 08, 2016
- Added:
- Apr 01, 2010
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 2
The 31st offering from the Harpoon 100 Barrel Series is the Single Hop ESB, brewed by Harpoon brewer Charlie Cummings. Already excited about crafting an Extra Special Bitter, Charlie jumped at the rare opportunity to brew this beer using one hop varietal, Delta, exclusively throughout the process.
The Delta hop is a brand new American-grown hop developed by Hopsteiner. In fact, the Harpoon Single Hop ESB is the first beer in the world to be commercially brewed using the Delta hop. A cross between Fuggle and Cascade hops, Delta hops yield an unrestrained earthy/floral aroma and taste that compliment the rich flavors of traditional British malts and yeast.
The recipe for this beer is a nod to the beloved Harpoon ESB, which was last brewed in 2002. However this version uses imported ingredients, except for the domestically grown Delta hops. Only a portion of the batch was filtered, leaving the full spectrum of flavor and aroma of this special new hop to enjoy.
38 IBU
The Delta hop is a brand new American-grown hop developed by Hopsteiner. In fact, the Harpoon Single Hop ESB is the first beer in the world to be commercially brewed using the Delta hop. A cross between Fuggle and Cascade hops, Delta hops yield an unrestrained earthy/floral aroma and taste that compliment the rich flavors of traditional British malts and yeast.
The recipe for this beer is a nod to the beloved Harpoon ESB, which was last brewed in 2002. However this version uses imported ingredients, except for the domestically grown Delta hops. Only a portion of the batch was filtered, leaving the full spectrum of flavor and aroma of this special new hop to enjoy.
38 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by MikeyRx from Michigan
4.33/5 rDev +17.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
4.33/5 rDev +17.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
From my notes on 8/20/11:
A- Pours a dark, hazy amber/orange and forms a strong off white head that recedes minimally leaving substantial lacing. Looks excellent!
S- Aromas of sweet, light malt, hints of raisin and biscuit, and citrus and pine hop notes.
T- Sweet, lightly roasted malt with a hint of nuttiness and raisin. The orange/citrus and pine hop flavor shows off the delicious flavor of the Delta hops without overpowering. Awesome malt and hop balance.
M- Moderate body and carbonation, finishes with lasting bitterness and tacky feel.
This beer was the best of the Harpoon 100 Barrel Series I've had so far! Loved it!
Aug 26, 2011A- Pours a dark, hazy amber/orange and forms a strong off white head that recedes minimally leaving substantial lacing. Looks excellent!
S- Aromas of sweet, light malt, hints of raisin and biscuit, and citrus and pine hop notes.
T- Sweet, lightly roasted malt with a hint of nuttiness and raisin. The orange/citrus and pine hop flavor shows off the delicious flavor of the Delta hops without overpowering. Awesome malt and hop balance.
M- Moderate body and carbonation, finishes with lasting bitterness and tacky feel.
This beer was the best of the Harpoon 100 Barrel Series I've had so far! Loved it!
Reviewed by mynie from Maryland
4.52/5 rDev +22.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
4.52/5 rDev +22.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Purchased, expiry dateless, from Parti-Pak in Indianapolis, where they will literally repackage and sell beer that had been spilled on the floor. The earliest reviews are from April, though, so at worst this is just mildly stale.
N E How, the hops aren't very aggressive, but they don't taste really aged or muted. They take a nice center stage, actually, one variety only minimally complicated by a hint of malt tastiness. Only I was having a dilly of a time figuring out which hop this was. It's got a more or less European spiciness to it, but that's backed by a wonderful dry, spicy citrusiness that's like dried orange zest. It's not all that bitter or juicy, but still fruity. Neat.
Turns out this is a whole new variety of hop, one remarkably well suited to an ESB, and it gets backed up fantastically by the creamy, yeast-heavy back end of the beer.
This is what a single hop beer should be, and especial kudos goes to Harpoon for finding the exact right style for this hop variety. It's not Xtreme enough to garner too many glowing BA reviews, but this is an excellently brewed beer.
Jul 06, 2011N E How, the hops aren't very aggressive, but they don't taste really aged or muted. They take a nice center stage, actually, one variety only minimally complicated by a hint of malt tastiness. Only I was having a dilly of a time figuring out which hop this was. It's got a more or less European spiciness to it, but that's backed by a wonderful dry, spicy citrusiness that's like dried orange zest. It's not all that bitter or juicy, but still fruity. Neat.
Turns out this is a whole new variety of hop, one remarkably well suited to an ESB, and it gets backed up fantastically by the creamy, yeast-heavy back end of the beer.
This is what a single hop beer should be, and especial kudos goes to Harpoon for finding the exact right style for this hop variety. It's not Xtreme enough to garner too many glowing BA reviews, but this is an excellently brewed beer.
100 Barrel Series #31 - Single Hop ESB from Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall
Beer rating:
83 out of
100 with
140 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!