Harpoon 100 Barrel Series #35 - Catamount Maple Wheat - Harpoon Brewery

MattBrooks

Massachusetts

3.55/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

The head on this new brew is almost non-existent. It dissipates far too quickly with tiny little bubbles dancing on the top. The color is that of a late fall sunset in Vermont. Picture perfect amber hue with hints of orange throughout. For a "Maple Wheat" as it is called; I found it to be lacking slightly in both parts. The words "real Vermont maple syrup" are listed on the label and I thought I'd be getting a big old taste like having flapjacks at the ski lodge. Not the case. It does have some Maple flavor in it, don't get me wrong. Also it seems to be quite hoppy for a wheat beer. Not that I mind, it was just unexpected. All in all, a very refreshing beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2011 23:54:28 | More by MattBrooks

JayKay412

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -7.1%

07-30-2012 02:23:23 | More by JayKay412

UltimateLivewire

South Carolina

3.5/5  rDev 0%

03-12-2012 05:00:56 | More by UltimateLivewire

THECPJ

Delaware

3.5/5  rDev 0%

02-09-2012 19:23:10 | More by THECPJ

mbs11

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev 0%

01-14-2012 00:50:54 | More by mbs11

slasich

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +14.3%

12-18-2011 05:37:27 | More by slasich

WassailWilly

New York

5/5  rDev +42.9%

12-12-2011 01:17:16 | More by WassailWilly

rab53

Massachusetts

3.25/5  rDev -7.1%

12-01-2011 06:58:10 | More by rab53

ZacharyJ

Massachusetts

3/5  rDev -14.3%

11-20-2011 22:49:31 | More by ZacharyJ

EgadBananas

Louisiana

3/5  rDev -14.3%

11-20-2011 14:57:52 | More by EgadBananas

nmann08

Maryland

3/5  rDev -14.3%

11-18-2011 00:51:34 | More by nmann08

BelgianDip

Connecticut

4/5  rDev +14.3%

11-14-2011 20:31:46 | More by BelgianDip

metter98

New York

3.53/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is clear dark yellowish amber in color and has a light amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a finger high beige head that died down and left a thick ring of bubbles on the surface around the edge of the glass.
S: The smell isn’t very strong and has aromas of sweet maple syrup and wheat.
T: The overall taste has notes of maple syrup in the flavors, which are slightly stronger compared to those in the smell, but still not very prominent. The maple syrup is most noticeable in the finish and contributes some hints of sweetness.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation. The finish is somewhat sticky.
O: The beer is an interesting take on the style due to the subtle hints of maple syrup in the aromas and flavors.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2011 04:50:37 | More by metter98

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

2.75/5  rDev -21.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Session #35, this bomber was served in a weisse vase. The beer poured a deep, vibrant, amber-copper color, more indicative of a red/amber or even some IPA/DIPAs. There was a slight foaming of head, no more than half an inch, but quickly settling into a thin film of white, chunky, sparse bubbled foam. Aroma is minimal, and there is a slight sweetness to it, but only a hint of malt and sugar. Nothing leaping out at you when you pour this beer. In mouth, the flavors are sweet and boozey, which is shocking with such a moderate ABV. Flavors are sugary sweet, with only a hint of maple throughout, and a weak malt backbone that leaves the initial flavorings out to dry. Some dark fruit characteristics (plum, prune) are highlighted throughout, but only minimally. The beer has a hollow, malty, and again slightly boozey aftertasste, with a high note of sugary sweet at the very end to give the brew a little "pick-me-up". The finish is sweet, and a little cloying, leaving a sugary feel on the tip of the tongue and the entire palate. Not the best brew I've had from Harpoon, and a little off for the style. Unique, all the same, but I don't think I'll be seeking this one out again.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2011 02:10:46 | More by GarthDanielson

IronCitySteve

Pennsylvania

3.28/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Pours a deep bright amber color with a thick 2 finger foam head that has excellent retention. There is lots of lacing all down the sides.

S: Ample amounts of sweet maple syrup, wheat, earthy hops and caramel.

T: Starts off with an extreme amount of maple syrup taste up front. In the middle, there is just a slight undertone of earthy hops. On the back end lots more sweet maple, burnt caramel and toast.

M: Leaves a thick slick taste on the palate. A medium bodied beer.

O: The maple syrup is there for sure, but not sure this is a pale wheat ale. Thought there would be a little more balance to this, maybe a little hop and yeast tastes.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2011 23:03:07 | More by IronCitySteve

abgba121

Connecticut

4.4/5  rDev +25.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: pours an amber color with very thin head that disappears instantaneously, lack of head and lacing is disappointing

S: very sweet, strong maple presence

T: lots of maple sweetness and malts, no hop presence

M: good carbonation and medium mouthfeel

O: good wheat beer, true northeastern original and speaks to us northeastern maple lovers. Love this beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2011 05:39:49 | More by abgba121

bigfnjoe

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass

A- pours a nice shade of amber with a half finger head that fades nearly instantaneously. It looks OK, but the lack of head sucks

S- getting the maple in the forefront. Smells pretty good, about what I expected from this one.

T- maple is the prominent flavor in this one. Really malty, actually...the maltiness is weird for the style and a little offputting. Taste is a little strong for the style as well

M- the maltiness is there, and it really adds a layer of thickness to the beer that I'm not sure I'm fond of in this style

O- I like a good pale wheat, but this one is too malty and the flavors are a little too potent...how that's a bad thing, I'm not totally sure. But it is, dammit

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2011 20:42:04 | More by bigfnjoe

EkimGram

New York

3.45/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Poured from 22oz bottle into a standard pint glass. A thin bubbly head fades quickly into a thin white film. Colour is a brownish-red.

Smell: Aromas of sweet wheat and a little bit of alcohol are the strongest followed by some maple syrup.

Taste: Very malty and wheaty, mostly caramel malts. Light maple taste is almost completely masked by alcohol, but it is surprisingly warming. Very simple.

Mouthfeel: Lightly-medium bodied with a modest amount of carbonation.

Overall/Drinkability: As I said before, this brew is nicely warming. Overall, nothing really sticks out, I was expecting a little more maple syrup flavours. A nice basic beer but nothing special.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2011 05:22:01 | More by EkimGram

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked up a bottle at D's six packs for 6.50.

A - Poured a light amber color with read hues. Not sure what I did special but mine got a solid half inch of head with both bottle pours. Mild lacing throughout.

S - Smells pretty sweet mostly of sweet caramel like maple suryp and strong wheat base. Little to no hop presence.

T - Simplistic in a way that the wheat is there as a base and the sweet taste of caramel coated suryp makes itself know. Wish the taste of the suryp was stronger but it worked for the ABV. In a way it tasted nice and sweet.

M - Light to medium. Found it very easy to drink

Overall it was a very solid offering from harpoon. Not very lackluster but it was pretty timid. Still it was worth the cost. Solid offering from harpoon.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2011 21:44:56 | More by DrDemento456

getgetgettleman

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from notes of 4/1/11 2011 Red Sox Opening Day.

A = Amber pumpkin to red like color. Nut brown ale in appearance. Good carbonation. 2 finger froth and creamy lacing.

S = Slight note of maple syrup. Candy-ish. Malt.

T = Minor hops, bay leaf, nut, maple syrup (but not overly sweet), pepper and minor orange zest/citrus. Semi synthetic tasting.

M = Creamy on the front end. Dry smoke on the back end. Smooth. It had decent body, but I felt it should be a little heavier because of the different flavor notes.

O = I liked this but it was oddly synthetic tasting. I always like trying Harpoons 100 Barrel Series. I would like to see them "step up" their craft brewing capabilities and push for stronger results with this Series.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2011 01:32:09 | More by getgetgettleman

ngeunit1

California

3.88/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a fairly clear red-brown color wit ha finger of off-white head. The head fades fairly quickly to a ring around the glass leaving behind touches of lace.

S - Aroma is a blend of some wheat, some breadiness, and some sweet maple. Overall, rather subtle and not too exciting.

T - Starts off with a hit of sweet maple flavor with background wheat and bread flavors. There is even a bit of spice in the background. Through the middle, the pure sweetness fades and becomes a bit more well rounded. There is also a bit more wheat coming through. The finish is a lingering maple sweetness with just a hint of bready flavor.

M - Feels medium bodied with moderate lively carbonation. Even with the strong sweetness, it is still crisp and feels rather refreshing. The maple is nice in the finish.

D - Very drinkable. Even though the nose is a bit weak and empty, the rest of the beer has a nice blend of the maple flavors mixed in with the more traditional wheat beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2011 02:23:40 | More by ngeunit1

jampics2

Ohio

3.73/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle purchased from the Winking Lizard. This was the "beer for two" of the month and was served with a couple tulip glasses.

Right away, I'm not digging things. Even with a very, very vigorous pour, this is pin flat. Syrupy. This is beer, not pancake syrup, right? No head or lace atop the light brown body, but there (luckily) was some carbonation in the brew. Not a great start, though.

Cantamount smells of maple & wheat, that's no surprise. There's a sweet beginning to the nose, then some earthy grain and a touch of grassy hops. The maple rises to the top as the wheat notes emerge. The maple note is distinct and pleasant.

The taste is also pretty enjoyable. The wheat dominates a bit more than the maple, becoming the focused-upon element in the taste. Some caramel and fruit notes are also present, saving this from being too boring. But the maple could be dialed-in a bit more IMO. Nothing but good flavors, but nothing exceptional as well.

So, after the poor appearance, I was fearful that this beer would be really syrupy, but there is some light carbonation. That doesn't make it exceptional, but at least saves a worse score. The finish could be sharper to avoid lingering wheat and maple that becomes a bit cloying. Overall, this was decent but is probably not something I'll be trying again soon.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2011 14:31:44 | More by jampics2

JayS2629

Alabama

4/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A reddish rusty brown with a thin white head and nice lace. The smell is of bananas, light maple, sweet bready malts, hints of spice, and a subtle hint of earthy hops. The taste follows. Sweet but not cloying. I was hoping for more prounounced maple, but the subtle sweet is nice on the wheat backbone. Very easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2011 23:02:29 | More by JayS2629

Ommy

Massachusetts

3.33/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Harpoon's Catamount Maple Wheat pours a rust color which takes on a darker hue as it fills the glass. The head forms ok and leaves a thin broken layer lingering.

I immediately get the aroma of bananas, or banana bread on the nose with a hint of sugary sweetness. Once I swirl it to open it up a bit, I notice a slight hop scent, but the banana overpowers it very quickly.

The taste is quite unexpected. The intense nose made me anticipate a very sweet beer, and wheat beers have always tasted mellow and sweet to me. This beer is much more bitter than any wheat beer I have had, and although that does not mean I don't enjoy it, I would say that if someone was looking for a wheat beer, this would not be what they had in mind, for better or worse.

The beer prickles the tongue, like most bitter beer, which is a bit strange since it is a wheat beer, but it is not unpleasant. It isn't super silky and smooth, but it is enjoyable.

Overall I would say that this is an interesting direction for a wheat beer, and I do not regret trying it. If I had a friend who likes IPAs and wheat beer I would definitely show this to them as they seem to share many aspects.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2011 00:21:54 | More by Ommy

bbeerman

Massachusetts

2.28/5  rDev -34.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Poured into a Masskrug mug.

A..Very nice looking beer. Deep mahogany color with a red hue. Really happy with the look of this beer.

S..Sweet, which should be expected since it is maple wheat. However, I was a little hesitant as it smelled a bit too much like perfume.

T..Not what I had hoped for. Something about the way the maple flavor was presented made me think I was drinking some sort of beauty product my wife might use. It is difficult for me to describe the flavor(s) since I had to work at drinking 3/4 of the bottle.

M..Texture was average.

O..As nice looking as this beer is, drinks are not about how they look but how they taste. And unfortunately I do not like the taste of this wheat ale. One of a few times I have not finished a beer. Disappointed as I had high hopes for this Harpoon offering.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2011 13:58:31 | More by bbeerman