Harpoon Leviathan - Barleywine Style Ale - Harpoon Brewery

fvernon

Indiana

4.05/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

2011 bottle poured into a Deschutes snifter.

It's a clear copper color with about 3/4" of head and good lacing as it works down into a comfortable film. Aromas of raisins, burnt sugar, sassafras, and spice bush dominate - it's a really nice blend that, while not exactly a 'deep' aroma is very enticing.

The burnt sugar and raisin come through on the taste, and bring along with them a bit of cardamom, mellow but floral hops, rye toast, and a flavor that I'm struggling to place (although it feels familiar)... it's a spice that I would add to a good Kansas City-style BBQ sauce, but feels at home here on the exhale. Perhaps a mellow cinnamon?

It's not too sweet, but it is a sticky, resinous beer with a solid body to it... I could see this being a hint thicker while dryer around the edges for less of a coat. Still, a very enjoyable barleywine that would pair well with any number of robust dishes (I'm just enjoying this with some aged local cheddar).

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2012 20:44:06 | More by fvernon

VictorWisc

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +31.2%

06-17-2013 18:08:28 | More by VictorWisc

puboflyons

New Hampshire

4.08/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From the 2010 batch stamped #316. Uncellared and sampled on June 16, 2013.

The pour is a handsome looking copper-amber with reddish hues sparkling along the edges when held to the light. Moderate tan head that sticks around until the end. Great clarity.

Sweet barley malts and caramel greet me on first whiff with a notable pear or apple fruitiness tearing up the rear. The hop bitterness is distant and there is no boozy aroma.

The body is medium and the texture is smooth.

While the taste entertains me with a solid sweet and caramel malt character, the hop makes itself much more pronounced at the end. Slightly boozy taste but not on the nose. Still, not something that makes me shun this one - rather it makes me enjoy it even more.

Here is a barleywine that has aged remarkably. I only wish I had another.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2013 16:01:10 | More by puboflyons

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -8.1%

06-14-2013 22:31:13 | More by Kegatron

cadaugherty

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -1.6%

05-08-2013 00:51:51 | More by cadaugherty

Kelp

New Hampshire

3.5/5  rDev -8.1%

04-27-2013 09:44:10 | More by Kelp

alex_hart

Oklahoma

3.25/5  rDev -14.7%

04-20-2013 16:15:35 | More by alex_hart

scmoore81

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -1.6%

04-19-2013 02:20:03 | More by scmoore81

BGsWo22

New York

1.25/5  rDev -67.2%

03-20-2013 23:18:41 | More by BGsWo22

SABERG

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

2011 dated, poured into modified tulip.

A - Deep copper, slow carbonation (maybe to cold) great lacing.

S - Toffee, cinamon, fig, hint of vanilla. warm bread also.

T - Toast, vanilla, some light spice. This has mellowed some, muted alcohol , hints of dried fruit.

M - Soft and luscious, long finish with an even coating.

O - What a nicely done offering from Harpoon. I sincerely hope they continue making this.

Cheers

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 01:09:39 | More by SABERG

spycow

Illinois

4/5  rDev +5%

03-10-2013 23:39:57 | More by spycow

nzerbe

New York

3.5/5  rDev -8.1%

03-06-2013 02:04:37 | More by nzerbe

Seaba

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -21.3%

02-28-2013 19:17:58 | More by Seaba

zimm421

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -1.6%

02-24-2013 23:39:27 | More by zimm421

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev -1.6%

02-21-2013 03:23:32 | More by DrinkSlurm

VALIS666

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev +5%

02-12-2013 23:16:52 | More by VALIS666

BugTownPub

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +11.5%

02-06-2013 04:03:17 | More by BugTownPub

Beermaine

Maine

3.5/5  rDev -8.1%

01-27-2013 00:12:18 | More by Beermaine

GrindFatherBob

New York

2.75/5  rDev -27.8%

01-24-2013 13:24:46 | More by GrindFatherBob

aorloski

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -1.6%

01-18-2013 18:59:38 | More by aorloski

nafredet1

Vermont

3/5  rDev -21.3%

01-02-2013 17:43:46 | More by nafredet1

DMB

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +5%

12-29-2012 19:36:18 | More by DMB

skaboom420

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -8.1%

12-15-2012 15:38:58 | More by skaboom420

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.95/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a deep amber color, with a thin off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thin lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains brown sugar, caramelized malts, fruit and a good amount of hops.

T: The taste starts with flavors of fruit, caramel and brown sugar. Then a strong but not over-powering hops presence comes in followed by a hearty malt character to create a good balance. There’s a mild alcohol sting. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

O: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, strong kick, good representation of style, although there are better alternatives in the style, this is a solid stronger beer to drink for a while.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2012 03:50:45 | More by TheManiacalOne

MSR129

Maine

4.5/5  rDev +18.1%

12-07-2012 23:15:03 | More by MSR129