100 Barrel Series #31 - Single Hop ESB
Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall

100 Barrel Series #31 - Single Hop ESB100 Barrel Series #31 - Single Hop ESB
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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:
140
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
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 3.75 by Zylod from West Virginia

Apr 08, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by wrightst from Maryland

Aug 07, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by SkinniePost from Wisconsin

Apr 17, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by EvanWilliams from Illinois

Sep 02, 2013
 
Rated: 2.75 by braican from Massachusetts

Jun 04, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by mikeincharleston from North Carolina

May 23, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by Kelp from New Hampshire

Apr 27, 2013
 
Rated: 3 by ejimhof from Pennsylvania

Feb 03, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by t0rin0 from California

Oct 14, 2012
 
Rated: 4.25 by daveshawley from Pennsylvania

Aug 16, 2012
 
Rated: 3.5 by pin from Australia

Jun 05, 2012
 
Rated: 3.5 by jongullotti from Massachusetts

Feb 19, 2012
 
Rated: 3.5 by THECPJ from Delaware

Feb 09, 2012
 
Rated: 3.5 by mbs11 from Massachusetts

Jan 14, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by OBIrish24 from Connecticut

Dec 27, 2011
 
Rated: 4 by nmann08 from Virginia

Dec 05, 2011
 
Rated: 3.25 by rab53 from Washington

Dec 01, 2011
 
Rated: 3 by Jenray from Texas

Nov 25, 2011
Photo of MikeyRx
Reviewed by MikeyRx from Michigan

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, 2011
Photo of mynie
Reviewed by mynie from Maryland

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, 2011
100 Barrel Series #31 - Single Hop ESB from Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall
Beer rating: 83 out of 100 with 140 ratings