Harpoon Rich & Dan's Rye IPA - Harpoon Brewery

claspada

New Jersey

2.17/5  rDev -43.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Aromas are initially quite interesting. I get the spicy rye malts up front, then I dive back in and get citrus hops and a metallic/minerally odor. I little caramel maltiness in the background.
The taste begins with slight pale and spicy rye malts, not much though. The hop bite hops in soon after dominated by grassy, floral and cat pee hop flavors. Metal, old-school canned beer flavors as well. I really am not enjoying this.
Mouthfeel is sticky and full yet the finish is harsh and unforgiving. The rye and hops are too out of balance for my preferences. I love good rye beers and this is not one of them. If your going to mail in the malt bill you have to at least have late hops additions for nice hop flavors, but this doesn't have any. After making a lot of great beers in this 100 Barrel Series, Harpoon seems to have mailed in the last couple. If I was Rich or Dan, I wouldn't want my name attached to this beer... I haven't had a good drain pour in a while, adios #37!

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2011 22:35:29 | More by claspada

tobelerone

New Jersey

3/5  rDev -21.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

poured from a bomber pale yellow with modest head and nice lacing. Pleasantly hoppy aroma. Taste is good but somewhat one dimensional, fairly bitter and with the slight metallic aspect mentioned by other reviewers. Definitely there but not totally off-putting. Decent, somewhat thin mouthfeel. Not a bad effort but nothing very exceptional here. Pretty drinkable as the alcohol is manageable and it is pretty crisp and refreshing. Still, the slightly overpowering metallic taste and bitterness make this one I won't be seeking out again.

Edit: as this one warmed the metallic taste vanished but all that remains is an interminably long bitter finish, totally overwhelming any other subtleties of this beer. Come on. I like hops but there's no hop notes here just bitter, bitter, bitter. One dimensional.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2011 02:23:12 | More by tobelerone

BeerMaverick

Massachusetts

3.03/5  rDev -20.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - Pours a crisp light golden color with about 2 inches of white head with great retention. Frothy head with a lot of lacing deposits.

S - Hops hops hops and a little bit of malt and floral notes. Slight grassy tone.

T - This is really where this beer disappointed me...I had very high expectations for a Harpoon brew and a Rye IPA (a style I love). The hops are prevalent on the front and middle of the tongue, but I'm getting almost a fishy taste on the sides of the tongue...very off-putting. I can barely detect the rye character which is also very upsetting.

M - Nothing to note here except that it is a lighter bodied brew when I expected medium-bodied beer such as the He'brew Rye IPA (amazing). Also a very bitter hop aftertaste.

O - Overall I was extremely disappointed with this beer. The most important facet of beer to me is the taste and this beer failed epically there. I suppose I had too high of expectations, but still...nearly a drain-pour...

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2011 01:51:37 | More by BeerMaverick

Robtobfest

Connecticut

3.05/5  rDev -20.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A- Amber/copper color with a somewhat impressive creamy dense head,

S- smells of faint piney hops and a bit of spice from the rye. Would have like to see a better effort here.

T- Taste is more of the same. Want more! Taste I mean! It is good, but I was expecting much more from this.

M- strange to me that the head is so dense yet the mouth feel is a bit on the thin side.

O- Overall, I was so excited that Harpoon decided to brew a Rye IPA. Not so much anymore! Not a bad brew just not very special. Not one I'd seek out but can see giving this to a buddy that is just getting into craft. Maybe not fair to Harpoon that two of my favorite beers are nelson and Founders, Rye IPA!

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2011 23:28:09 | More by Robtobfest

ghostwalker

Massachusetts

3.05/5  rDev -20.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Great appearance. Huge white head on an orange body. Thick and fluffy lacing.

Sharp hop nose, but not enough of it.

Flavor is somewhat off. Something metalllic, something astringent going on here. Is age playing a factor? Not sure.

Mouthfeel is astringent and aspirin-like.

Overall, not a fan. I love Rye IPAs, not sure what happened with this one.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2012 22:14:47 | More by ghostwalker

Daniellobo

District of Columbia

3.08/5  rDev -19.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Relatively forgettable if decent bitter rye ale.

Presentation: 22 oz brown bottle. Simple front label design with a loose attempt at a limited release image with signature of the brewers. Includes a small paragraph noting the name of the ale and intent. Shows best by date (09/15/11) Notes IBUs (34), OG (15), and Alc. by Vol. (6.9%) Served in a tulip glass.

A - Clear deep gold pour, didn't the label promised an unfiltered experience? good frothy head and retention with solid lacing.

S - Shy nose, light hop bitterness and touch of caramel with a minimal hint of spices.

T - Bitterness dominates the sense without much of a range, there is a touch of imaginary spicy rye feel to it, but hidden under the coarse bitter and lightly grassy sense, malty touches in the undercurrent, and while the bitterness is not awful it is quite bland.

M - Medium to medium/light body with medium carbonation and a bitter-dry finish.

O - Bitter blah, not much of a stimuli, it can be drank, but all in all it is a bit boring as it progresses.

Notes: The most forgettable 100 Barrel Series I have tried. I do understand that rye can be unforgiving and difficult to brew, and I have a slight weakness for it. But this goes neither here nor there. And while not something to send back the brew is quite forgettable for me.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2011 18:36:04 | More by Daniellobo

zoolzoo

Connecticut

3.1/5  rDev -18.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: Pours a rusty orange color. A one finger cream head is slow to develop.

S: Aroma consists of some astringent, bitter, hop residue. The hop profile is certainly one note. Grains are pretty prominent... smells a bit like a faded IPA, though the rye adds some flare.

T: Follows the nose in a predictable fashion. Generic hop bitterness, a little grapefruit pith. Quickly drops into some really robust rye grain. A bready beer, hops are a supporting. Finish is peppery spice and bitterness.

M: Thicker side of medium, carbonation is quite high. Sticky, coating... Drinkability is pretty good.

O: A pretty good rye beer, though the hop profile really falls flat. The rye grain adds enough character to save the beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2011 22:13:02 | More by zoolzoo

AgentZero

Illinois

3.13/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - Burnt umber color with a small white head and a little bit of lacing.

S - Mild crystalized rye, some grapefruit, little grass.

T - Taste leaves some to be desired. Mild hops, just a little bit of rye spice, but it all seems entirely washed out. A little bitterness on the end, pale malt backbone.

M - Mouthfeel is a little thin and watery, slightly gritty, active carbonation.

O - Not a huge fan of this, it went down easily enough, but that was more for lack of taste than anything else.

Serving type: on-tap

07-15-2011 14:59:12 | More by AgentZero

mdaschaf

Washington

3.13/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Had on tap at the Pickled Pig Pub on IPA day.

A: Served in a pint glass, the beer was a clear copper/amber color with a one finger white head that faded rather quickly leaving only little bits of lacing.

S: Light citrus and grassy with some caramelized malt and a hint of rye malt, but not as pronounced as I was hoping.

T: The first flavor is nice and hoppy with some grapefruit and orange peel. This is followed by some rye malt and a bit of caramel and bready malt. The finish is unfortunately accentuated by a metallic/oxidized flavor.

M: Medium bodied with medium carbonation, slightly dry, but metallic finish.

O: It was ok before the oxidized flavor hit, but even without it, I probably wouldn't go for it again. Thought that the rye was a bit weak as well.

Serving type: on-tap

08-05-2011 20:15:23 | More by mdaschaf

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.18/5  rDev -16.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

... (Bah, who needs a not-really-all-that-witty remark to start a review, anyway?) This stuff pours a clear amber-copper topped by a finger of off-white foam. The nose comprises grapefruit zest, light banana, biscuit, and a hint of toffee. The taste brings in more of the same, with the grapefruit showcasing a sharp bit of its rind and most of the malty backbone's elements fading into obscurity in the back. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a drying finish. Overall, a decent RIPA, though the rye character is pretty much nonexistent, and the hops come across sharply dull. Still, it ain't all that bad, really, just not all that good.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2013 20:27:17 | More by TMoney2591

avalon07

South Carolina

3.2/5  rDev -16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had a golden yellow color and a clear texture. There was an inch of creamy, long-lasting head. Good lacing.

S: An interesting aroma of rye, hops, and some citrus.

T: Tasted like it smelled: Floral hops, rye, a little citrus, but all of these elements are very mild and a bit on the thin side. Could have been better.

M: A well-carbonated beer with a slick finish. Medium-bodied.

O: This is a wildly uneven beer. Not terrible, but not all that great either.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2011 12:04:14 | More by avalon07

celticfutblclub

Massachusetts

3.2/5  rDev -16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

22 oz-a-thon poured into a pint glass.

this thing comes out a nice orange with a big old fluff top sportin' three fingers. the fingers stick nicely. the nose is mostly rye / piny hop fest. its basic but its good. taste is similar as well. starts with a rye upfront and finishes with pine hops. its decent but just about that. a little too basic for my tastes. a light bodied brew with medium carbonation good puckering. overall its not bad but its nothing to write home about either. still glad i got the chance to try this one.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2011 23:53:47 | More by celticfutblclub

Naugros

New Jersey

3.23/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Drinking this in honor of IPA day.

Nice amber color, just like amber, but no dinosaur blood-suckers in this one. A wonderful cream-colored head that rises tall and sticks around. The lacing left is impressive.

Not a strong smell for an IPA, but you do get some citrus, pine and semolina-like smell from the rye along with the sour note it brings. The taste is more aggressive with the citrus coming to the forefront and the sour of the rye coming through just a hint. Still, there's really not a strong hops presence. There's also a metallic tang that's like licking a penny. This is destroying any good flavors and throwing the mouthfeel all off.

After warming a bit, the metallic tang lessens and the usual sour bite of rye takes more control and the mouthfeel evens out a bit.

This is perhaps the worse sampling of the 100 Barrel Series I've had to date. Harpoon has shown time and again that they can do better than this...much better. I eagerly await the next.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2011 00:23:19 | More by Naugros

ktblue22

Vermont

3.24/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

I may be judging this beer harshly, as Rye IPAs are my most absolute favorite style of beer, and I tried this after having a very fresh batch of home-brewed Rye IPA, which absolutely blew my mind. However, I think Harpoon does a good job with this beer. The Rye aspect is there, yet mild, and the IPA half of this beer is VERY mild in my opinion.

Nice and clear, yellowy-brown color. Small head
Smell - mostly rye, hardly getting any hop aromas from this beer
Taste - yummy, yet flat. As you drink the beer the aftertaste builds with a nice musky grass taste, which is lovely, but I'm missing the up-front hoppiness that I love from IPAs. Good amount of rye flavor too, which I'm perceiving more as I'm halfway through this bottle, poured into a Sam Adams glass.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 20:17:48 | More by ktblue22

VtBrew

Vermont

3.25/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance Frothy white and tan head. Golden/pale color head last minute plus. Nice lacing and crystal clear 9 to 13 s r m.

Aroma Spicy rye notes with malt back bone citrus hop aroma

Flavor sharp rye flavor copper notes Citrus at the finish hops don't over stay their welcome. finishes clean

Overall great drinkability smooth interesting can't feel the 6.9 percent alcohol.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2011 16:12:56 | More by VtBrew

curasowa

New York

3.25/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance: Dull, golden color with one finger of head that fades to a thin cap with a little lacing.

Aroma: Earthy hops over toasted malt with some faint butter notes. The hop aroma has a nice freshness to it.

Taste: A quick hit of sweet malt flavor then the hops take over with a biting bitterness that has a slight lemon rind quality to it. Finish is lingering and a bit metallic.

The Rest: Body is medium, and overall this is a decent beer. I'm guessing its the rye, but there is a definite unusual grain note in the taste that I was picking up that I couldn't really place.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2011 03:40:08 | More by curasowa

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

3.28/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

on tap at devils den in philly

Pours a clear golden color with amber hues, really nice fluffy head retains well. Clouds of lacing left behind on the glass.

Scents of hoppy bitterness with rye spice, but a little subdued overall. Some biscuit malt and sweetness as well.

Biter up front, decent hop attack which starts to dry out the tongue. Rye adds some spice, followed by biscuit and toasted malt backbone. A touch of caramel sweetness. Finishes dry and long with barely any alcohol.

Medium body, a bit higher carbonation, prickly and dry. Not a particularly great rye beer, but drinks pretty smoothly. Definitely not in the same league as Nelson, Righteous, or Red's Rye.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2011 23:23:30 | More by xnicknj

2xHops

Texas

3.3/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I was disappointed.

The beer looked good with light amber color to the body. There were a lot of lacing, and the head dissipated too fast.

The taste is bland. There wasn't a strong presence of the rye. I thought it was a bit underwhelming for something that can pack a punch. It was not as hoppy as I thought it would be.

Overall, I thought it was a so-so beer. I think I can come up with few better examples of this beer style, so that's the thing that killed this beer for me.

It's not a terrible beer, but it's not something that will make you say, "Hey, this is a damn good beer."

Serving type: on-tap

11-14-2011 21:57:41 | More by 2xHops

CHADMC3

Connecticut

3.35/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a very light copper color with golden hues and a densely packed, creamy white head that is very slow to dissolve and reveal the sticky, abundant white lacing.

The aromas primarily consist of rye seed and spicy hops, primarily earthy, and somewhat woody with other hints of pine.

Nice hints of rye and similar spicy hops in the flavor, but a touch of metallic hints as well that disappears as the beer warms. There are hints of malt in there but the spicy/pine/grass hops really run the show.

Medium to fuller in body with medium carbonation.

A nice rye beer that lacks some of the rye emphasis and malty backbone that some of its counterparts possesses, but at the same time has great traditional IPA characteristics.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2011 00:21:59 | More by CHADMC3

rangerred

Tennessee

3.35/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had on tap in a pint glass.

Arrived with a thick, creamy two finger head and a slightly hazy light brown body.

Aroma of piny hops with a little bit of caramel. Some rye spiciness was present as well.

Floral and piny hops were up front in the taste along with some yeast. Spiciness was not as predominant as I was expecting. A little bit of pipe tobacco on the finish with a moderate to high bitterness. Mouthfeel was full and creamy.

Being that I tend to love rye beers I was a little let down. Way too much yeast and not enough rye characteristics. Just an ok beer.

Serving type: on-tap

05-23-2012 15:46:55 | More by rangerred

donkeyrunner

Massachusetts

3.38/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Brassy copper color with a large tan head. A few wisps of retention before all the foam died in the hot summer sun.

Bubblegum hops are at first obvious but then fades into a staic toasty aroma. Mildly spicy, very brassy.

Rye spice with hops spice make this a pleasantly spicy beer. Bubble gum is there but then fades early just like it did in the aroma.

Between the Imperial Rye and the 100 Barrel Rye there's a lot of rye floating around at Harpoon. They must have gotten a good deal.

Serving type: on-tap

07-28-2011 12:51:07 | More by donkeyrunner

Kendo

New York

3.4/5  rDev -11%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Poured from the bomber into a pint glass. Body is golden honey-amber with a small white head. Nice rising bubbles give a solid appearance. Leaves good lace behind.

S: Spicy malt - the rye is evident - with a bit of hop bitterness.

T: Whoa - first impression: metallic. Impression was confirmed by two others, including my wife, who said it was "tinny." After a few sips I could get past that metallic onslaught to appreciate the rye spiciness underneath and the grassy bitterness at the back end, but all in all I wasn't enamored with this one.

M: Medium in heft, sharp carbonation.

O: OK at best. Won't buy it again, though it did improve after the palate adjusted to the metallic impression.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2011 00:11:20 | More by Kendo

JayQue

Virginia

3.41/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Not bad, but a bit lacking as either an IPA or Rye beer. Looks good. Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. Looks good, slightly hazy amber with a good size frothy white head (off a hard pour). Good lacing and head retention.

Mild aroma, a little piney hops.

Taste is a bit better than average. Sharp piney hops and a bit of rye sourness but there is a sour apple vinegar presence too that is not that good.

Mouthfeel is a bit thin but there is a crisp bitterness. Richness improves a bit the more you drink.

Overall not bad but I have had much better Rye beers and IPAs.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 00:56:01 | More by JayQue

sethmeister

New Hampshire

3.43/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Clear straw gold with a fine bubbled off white head. Very well laced

Scent is spicy rye grain with a slight citrus hop note.

Taste is primarily spicy rye grain. Niice hop bitterness. Mild grassy hops with maybe a hint of citrus.

Mouth is juicy

Nice rye grain flavors and decent bitterness but not a lot else going on and I'd like to see more hop flavor / aroma.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2011 22:52:15 | More by sethmeister

CapH

New York

3.43/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.5

Appearance- Clear, light amber color. Solid whitish head that casts nice rings on a glass.

Smell- Nice, medium spicy hop aroma.

Taste- Crisp dry first impression followed by pleasant hops then ending with a dry bite.

Mouthfeel- dry and fizzy. Almost too much carbonation.

Overall- A nice IPA. Easy to drink though a bit too dry and light for my taste.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 23:29:07 | More by CapH