Harpoon Rich & Dan's Rye IPA - Harpoon Brewery

Guden

Maryland

3.95/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A- Slightly hazy copper in color with a big egg shell head that fades slowly leaving impressive lace.

S- Big nose of American hops, lots of pine and fruit, with some spicy and sweet breadiness.

T- Smooth and light up front, with a strange pit fruit character that is quickly whisked away by a refreshingly bitter and fairly smooth bitterness.

M- Thin and dry with medium low carbonation, this one goes down pretty easily.

O- An enjoyable IPA thought I don't get a huge amount of rye, just enough to poke around the hops. This beer could also use a little more hop flavor up front rather than just the finishing bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 22:58:31 | More by Guden

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Thanks go to Slatetank for gifting me with a couple bottles of these 'poon IPA varieties. 12oz bottle poured into a Spiegelau IPA glass, the brew appears a clear copper color with a yellowish to lightly tanned cap more than 2 fingers strong that fades leaving almost a full wall of lacing effect on the glass. A light swirl revives a finger back to the surface.

The aroma has some pleasant maltiness caught between caramel and toffee with a distinct fruity aspect of rye. Not really spicy perse but different with that sort of toasted quality that only rye can produce. There is an accenting fruity aspect coming forward from the combination of alcohol and hops. A bit of almost orange marmalade scent is present initially that blends into some melon, honeydew or cantaloupe hop notes.

The flavor is more hop centric than what the aroma would lead you to believe. A rindy, pulpy bitterness hits the tongue first with a flavor of zest and almost catty quality that fades into a strong taste of grapefruit and melon like the aroma suggested. The alcohol is present with it's own fruited aspect and the maltiness pokes through from time to time with a toasted flavoring but little contrasting sweetness.

This is a medium bodied brew with a moderate amount of carbonation. It is a pretty nice IPA with the rye being very noticeable. There was just something about the strange melon notes and strangely strong focus on alcohol for being under 7% that hindered the overall drink-ability for me on this one. Regardless, no issues finishing the glass and I am very appreciative of the chance to give this one a try. Thanks again Matt.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 01:28:12 | More by stakem

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

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

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

Florida_SC_Trojan

Florida

3.68/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Not one of my favorite Ryes. I would recommend this beer for an introductory Rye. There is
nothing wrong with this beer just not my cup of tea. More brewers need to make Rye beers, definetly my favorite style right now... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2013 00:13:18 | More by Florida_SC_Trojan

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

3.99/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance is reddish amber with a small tan head sitting on top. The head is loose structured and fades quickly to a simple ring.
Pleasently aromatic with fresh hops sweet malts and hints of spicy rye.
Drinks and taste assertive with spicy malts sweet malts. hop flavor is quite light and only noticeable from it's bittering balance.
A good beer but wish it had a bigger hop profile.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 12:28:25 | More by micromaniac129

greenengineer

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle into my Notch 0.5L glass, while waiting out the Blizzard of '13. Served at refrigerator temperature.
A- Tawny bronze color, thick white foam.
S - hops, I can smell them as I pour. A little soapy smell.
T- hop bitterness out front, citrus, astringent, a little more bitter than the regular IPA
M - crisp, fairly light
O - decent, run of the mill IPA

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2013 23:25:26 | More by greenengineer

nukem5

Pennsylvania

3.81/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A: Pours a slightly cloudy amber color with nice big fluffy 2 fingers of head wich lacedown the walls of glass.

S: Aroma is of piney hops and some citrus zest of grapefruit .

T: Taste is Sweet malts and grapefruit, with a bready quality which may also be some of the rye working in there.

M: Mouthfeel is a dry feel small carb bubbles keep feeding the head. Mediun body but on the thin side.

O: Overall a good beer but would have to be in the mood for it next time the hops are very crisp and clean tasting with a nice IPA taste.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2013 01:36:51 | More by nukem5

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

In the grand scheme of things, this seems a pretty mild rye beer. Decent level of spice from things, but nothing that's really blowing my taste buds away. Flavor seems to drop off fairly quickly as well. Or at least sooner than I would hope for. Decent beer, but maybe I don't have the freshest sample.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 04:41:27 | More by RblWthACoz

scottbrew4u

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A: Pours an orange to copper color, clear with a one finger, light tan head. Good lacing on the glass as it goes down.

S: Red grapefruit, passion fruit, pine and white pepper notes with the hops up front. Bready and sharp rye notes are mixing well with the hoppy bouquet.

T: Hop forward with pine resin, sour red grapefruit, tropical fruit and peppery spice. Rye kicks the spice up more and with a bisquity undertone you complete the balance for this IPA.

M: Medium body with prickly carbonation and slight alcohol warmth.

O: Crisp and refreshing beer here from Harpoon! More of a west coast approach compared to some of their other beers. This demands attention and can be a great beer to introduce someone to rye in beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 22:30:22 | More by scottbrew4u

hackmann

Michigan

4.19/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: misty amber body with a big two finger off white head that leaves tons of lacing on the glass.

Aroma: nice rye spiciness, touch of citrus/floral hops, light fruit

Flavors: whole grain cracker, rye spiciness, slight bitterness, earthy grains, touch of pine on the back, hint of fruit

Mouthfeel: light fizzy carbonation, sweet caramel on the delivery, spicy feel right behind hitting the mid and finish, bitterness on the back with that nice touch of pine, slightly oily, lingering twang on the palate, slightly dry feel, good balancing act for being on the bitter side of town

Overall: a nice rye IPA

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 23:35:12 | More by hackmann

oberon

North Carolina

3.93/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Poured into a nonic a clear rich copper with a creamy-like one finger white head that never really settles,just some nice froth.Aromas have a nice spicy rye kick to go along with the citric hops,a bit of nutty malt is detected as well.Flavors start with citric and earthy hops wich is good but the rye doesn't quite stand out as much on the palate,there is a slightly sweet and nutty malt base wich holds up well to the hops.There is a nice creamy feel to the beer and it has alot of stuff going for it,a little beefing up on the rye malt and this beer would be outstanding,as is it's still pretty damn good.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2013 21:14:12 | More by oberon

EL48823

Michigan

4.03/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Appearance: Two-finger head, poured into a pint glass. Golden-redish color that is a bit hazy.
Smell: Definite rye character, a bit floral.
Taste: Middle-of-the-road for a rye IPA. Bitter aftertaste that lingers around for a while. A bit sweet.
Mouth-feel: Light carbonation, nothing spectacular.

Overall: Not bad. Dependable Rye IPA characteristics. Would drink if offered.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2013 21:28:45 | More by EL48823

cbutova

Massachusetts

3.76/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A- Bottle poured into a pint glass. The beer's body is just a tiny bit hazy and has an amber-red hue to it. The head forms to about one finger in size and has a frothy texture. Retention of the foam is alright and a foamy ring leaves some nice webs of lace.

S- The rye and the IPA are certainly here. The rye adds a nice cracked grain note as well as that rye bread spice, some caramel sweets as well. The hops balance it with citrus zest, pine, peach and floral hints.

T- Follows the aroma pretty nicely but I notice a pretty heavy sweetness right away. It is not cloying or beer-ruining but it is a bit much for a "Rye IPA." Rye spice, cracked grain, caramel, yeast bread and light fruit notes. Hops round the beer out with pine, citrus, orange, herbal and floral notes.

MF- Silky smooth low-moderate carbonation in a body with a medium thickness and a nice creamy texture. Spice from the rye and bitterness from the hops on the tongue in the finish.

A bit sweeter than I would imagine but this beer is solid overall. The rye and hop profile are both satisfying and keep this beer from being mediocre.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2013 03:48:47 | More by cbutova

flagmantho

Washington

3.63/5  rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 12oz bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance: classic orange hue with a touch of haze to the body and a moderate effervescence. Head is close to two fingers of frothy ivory foam. Attractive.

Smell: sweet aroma with a light spiciness and a pretty strong floral character. There's not a classic "malty" aroma, but what you do get is the weirdness of rye. True to the ingredient, although maybe not as enticing as it could be; decent, but points for style.

Taste: sweet, almost strawberry-like fruity floral flavor, with a jarring bitterness toward the end. It's not over-bitter, but it is odd when juxtaposed with the fruitiness. I've sensed strawberry in rye beers before; I think I'm over the novelty.

Mouthfeel: great body with a good level of carbonation and a nice, smooth creaminess. Good stuff.

Overall: this is a decent beer, but I don't think I'll be going back to this well anytime soon. Rye is a hard thing to get right; they are close here, but it's a bit over-fruity to me.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 21:57:57 | More by flagmantho

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

barczar

Kentucky

3.78/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a slightly hazy deep golden copper with a half inch cream head that dissipates slowly, leaving sheets of lacing.

Citrus, pine, doughy bread, caramel malt, rye, and dank hops form the aroma. Skunky, catty, and resiny hops emerge.

Sweet caramel malt forms the backbone of the beer, leading to a fairly dry, moderately bitter finish. There's an underlying citrus presence initially that is somewhat difficult to identify. Grapefruit and lime come to mind. Perfumey hops and a touch of rye finish the profile, along with a floral honey note. The rye character emerges more as it warms.

Body is moderate, with moderate to spritzy carbonation and slight alcohol warmth.

Overall, a fair amount of rye character, and nice citrus notes. More sweet malt than expected.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 19:23:20 | More by barczar

berliner07

New Hampshire

3.98/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A very tasty offering by Harpoon. Color is perfect for a rye beer. Just dark enough to see the colors of this interesting grain. Not overwhelming though. Nice spice and floral hops in the nose. Mouthfeel is medium. Flavor is a combination of spice and hops. Really nice. Had this with some good cheese and it was a perfect pairing.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 13:45:24 | More by berliner07

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.7/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

i liked this one, thought the rye was quite subtle, an accent rather than a dominant flavor, which works really well in this ipa. it pours a lighter coppery color, clear as day, with a medium white head about an inch tall. the nose is spicy rye malt, bready but light, like breakfast, with a ton of citrusy hops, bitter and pungent. i really like the taste of the hop blend here, its oily and sticky, without being sweet in the slightest. lemon rind and rye meet in the middle somewhere, and the result is quite refreshing. body is a little fuller that i want it to be, id struggle drinking a 6er of this, but the carbonation is lively and it drinks pretty well. this to me is a perfect winter ipa. id like to see the malt bill cut down a little bit to reduce body and let the glowing hops take over a little more, but the way the rye plays off the fruity notes is just splendid. a really well balanced beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 07:24:20 | More by StonedTrippin

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz Bottle from Wegmans Syracuse NY for 2$

Appearance - Slightly hazy copper colour with an average size frothy white coloured head. There is a low amount of carbonation showing and there is some great lacing. The head lasted for over 5 minutes.

Smell - Malts, caramel, hops, grapefruit, oranges

Taste & Mouth - There is an average amount of carbonation and I can taste caramel and malts mixed with hops. There is also some grapefruit/oranges mixed with some light pineapple. It ends with a sugary sweet aftertaste with some lingering hop bitterness.

Overall – Really good stuff.. probably the best beer I've had from this brewer. My bottle was best before Nov 15th, so I can imagine this is even better fresh. I'll keep my eyes out for a fresh bottle.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 01:41:50 | More by spinrsx

ColdWaffles

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Sam Adams Signature Pint.

Appearance: Dark amber color, slightly hazy. White head, dies pretty quickly. Leaves a solid lacing. Good looking beer.

Smell: Not much there. Spicy, can smell the rye a little bit.

Taste: Starts off spicy with a good compliment to the steady carbonation. Slightly citrusy later, builds some sweetness, but ends bitter. Slightly creamy beer. Hops most evident in the finish. Very easy to drink, but maintains an interesting taste throughout the drink.

Mouthfeel: Creamy and carbonated. "Fun" to drink.

Overall: Big fan of this beer, but then I am a sucker for rye. I'd consider buying a case of this, and I'd enjoy drinking it regularly.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2012 01:36:56 | More by ColdWaffles

kangarooAdam59

Maine

4/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Into a pint glass:

A: hazy copper colored body giving one finger white foamy speckled head that lasted for a good minute before it concaved into the body lightly and slowly. The body was too dark for any carbonation to be seen rising.

S: rye malts up front with some light hoppy notes giving a wonderful spicy scent.

T: brought these flavorings back boldly with some light caramel undertones.

M: medium with nothing harsh on the tongue, just an overall great feel.

O: I really liked this beer and its helping me to start to like more "rye beers." Next time, I'll get a sixer of this.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2012 13:16:45 | More by kangarooAdam59

lovindahops

New York

4/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Got the chance to try this when it was first being placed into sixers at the brewery. Really awesome when tried fresh

A- a cop perish body with great foam that recides leaving web lacing cracking the edges of the glass. Bold with the colors

S- spicy and herbal with a strong component caramel malt underlying the pine scent. Bold and actually flamboyant with the spicyness of a rye scent.

T- flavorful spiked pine residue lays over the caramel hop flavor. Very flaked with a resinous hop flavor that more than likely came from the dry hopping. Just a delicious herbal/spicey taste

M- coating flavor that resonates with good carbonation

I- I really like this ipa. Elevated flavors all over that really resonate throughout the experience! I will always try this

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 00:10:22 | More by lovindahops

MRclean

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Vessel: 12oz. bottle poured into tulip glass

Appearance: Pours a light golden orange with a hint of brown. There is an instant 2.5 fingers of head that begins to fade fairly quickly. The beer has a distinct light haze and nice carbonation.

Smell: There is a clean hoppy aroma with distinct malty sweetness.

Taste: Hoppy and crisp with pine notes. The malty sweetness is notable but as much as you would think after smelling it. This beer has a medium/light body and ends dry with a nice hoppy bitterness left over

Mouthfeel: Light and enjoyable with a hint of smoothness and a crisp finish.

Overall: This is a really nice rye IPA that I recommend you give a shot. I will certainly be picking it up again.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2012 23:38:32 | More by MRclean