Harpoon Rich & Dan's Rye IPA - Harpoon Brewery

Thorpe429

Illinois

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

On tap at Rustico in Alexandria. Served in a tulip.

Pours a moderate golden color that is mostly clear. Good white head and a nice bit of lacing on the way down. The nose carries a good portion of rye along with some floral and spicy hops. The flavor carries the same with the rye really taking a step forward and bringing a bit of spice. Mostly floral hops with a bit of an earthy feel as well. All is very well integrated into a medium-bodied brew with a nicely-bitter finish. Some alcohol detected afterward. This was a thoroughly enjoyable brew.

Serving type: on-tap

06-03-2011 00:06:18 | More by Thorpe429

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

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

12 ounce bottle - $1.79 at Total Wine & More in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Appearance: Pours a clouded, coppery body with a frothy, wispy, off-white head. Settles out to a thin, oily film.

Smell: Bready-scented pale maltiness embellished with a hint of caramel glazed rye grain. Pointedly citrusy, resiny, lightly earthy hops.

Taste: Pale, bready malts with some sweetish caramel character. Spicy rye grain. Citric, juicy lemon, grapefruit given a belt of cutting resins. Moderate bitterness. Drying, bitter, citrusy and rye-hinted on the soft finish. Enduring bitterness just lounging around on the aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation. Smooth mouthfeel.

Overall: Pretty nice one, here. Adequately malty and balanced by a good showing from both the American hops and rye.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2012 23:18:27 | More by ChainGangGuy

oberon

North Carolina

3.93/5  rDev +3.1%
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

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.18/5  rDev -16.5%
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

WesWes

New York

3.9/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours a beautiful golden color with a thick frothy white head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is decent. It has a mild pale and rye malt scent. It's light with a touch of spiciness. The hop aroma good. It's not incredibly bitter, but it balances the malt aroma nicely. The taste is good. It's really smooth with a mild hop bitterness. The malt bill provides adequate complexity and balance. The rye also lends a subtle spiciness that compliments the hops. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a medium/full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a very drinkable beer. It's easy drinking, yet flavorful; an accessible rye ale.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2011 00:58:34 | More by WesWes

metter98

New York

3.73/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is crystal clear yellowish amber in color and has no signs of visible carbonation. It poured with a thin film of bubbles covering the surface and a thin ring of bubbles around the edge of the glass.
S: There are light to moderate aromas of spicy rye malts along with some notes of citrus and pine resin hops.
T: The taste is both malty and spicy; the spiciness from the rye particularly stands out in the finish while the initial taste has some hints of malty sweetness. There is a mild to light amount of bitterness.
M: It feels medium-bodied and smooth on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation. There is some dryness towards the finish.
O: The beer isn’t that difficult to drink for the style because the spiciness from the rye is not overpowering.

Serving type: on-tap

06-11-2011 12:08:07 | More by metter98

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.1/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap 6/7/2011 at Doherty’s East Ave Irish Pub in Pawtucket, RI, served in a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a deep gold color with a short dense white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains fruity citrus, caramelized rye malts and grassy hops.

T: The taste starts out with sweet flavors of citrus followed by a strong but not over-powering hops bitterness. The rye malt character is hearty and there’s some spice faintly in the background creating a pretty good balance. The after-taste is slightly bitter.

M: Smooth and crisp, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

O: Very tasty, goes down quite easily, not too filling, decent kick, very good representation of style, this is a very nice beer worth drinking for a while.

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2011 16:08:34 | More by TheManiacalOne

Gavage

New Jersey

3.45/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: orange in color with a 1" head that lingers around a while. Some lace develops.

Smell: light fruit sweetness and a bit of spiciness comes through to the nose.

Taste: caramel, rye, some black pepper, mild citrus, and a moderate bitterness create a decent flavored beer.

Mouthfeel : medium bodied beer. Crisp from start to finish with some dryness arriving late.

Overall: this is a decent rye focused beer, but after finishing the bottle I was looking for something a bit bolder in flavor. Good for a pint or two, not really sessionable for me.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2011 21:49:32 | More by Gavage

jwc215

New Jersey

4.03/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Tasted three months ago - reviewed from notes:

Pours golden with a white foamy head that is well-retained. Rings of lacing stick.

The smell is of citrusy/leafy hops with a mint spiciness.

The taste is hoppy (slightly raw) with citrusy, leafy spiciness. A rather subtle mint spicing comes from the rye. The 6.9% abv is reasonably well-covered. It has a sharp tang in the finish.

This is a nice IPA with a rye touch. Drinks well - an enjoyable brew!

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2011 15:49:10 | More by jwc215

tempest

Pennsylvania

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

Thanks to my friend Paul for sharing. This reminded me of Harpoon IPA for better or worse. The body was relatively light for the style, but it was by no means watery and on a summer day, I didn't mind. The hops and rye blend into a spicy bread floral citrus mix that's quite pleasant, but should be a bit richer for an IPA. It just didn't have the same kick as most ~7% hoppy ales.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2011 03:14:40 | More by tempest

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.4/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appears a slightly hazed copper in the body with a billowing off white cream head rising above the edges of my Gulden Draak chalice. Chunky sporadic bands of lacing are left behind with each sip. This is a nice beer, full on citrus and spicy rye interplay going on in the nose. Enough base malt provides some bread/crackers balance to it, but big alpha hop brings the grapefruit pungency. Flavor wise it's banging with citrus hops and a bit of earthiness, which is blended nicely with a bready/spicy rye notes bringing out an herbal/grain note to it. Bitterness lingers in a good way on the palate, with nice slick hop oils flowing along, ample carbonation carries the body just fine. Overall between a nice brisk bitter IPA and interesting rye spiciness, this was one of my favorites I've had from the 100 barrel series in some time, pretty rock solid offering so solid that the founders of Harpoon threw their names on it.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2011 02:14:03 | More by WVbeergeek

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -6.8%
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

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.53/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Moderate head that leaves very good ring lace after each sip. The liquid is neutral amber with a very light haze.

Dry and earthy aroma. Good hop as I pull my nose away.

Okay, this is strange, the first flavor I note is...pate. It's a meaty taste with a note of oysters. The hop takes over in the swallow without much more than a bittering effect. The body is as expected and the carbonation is mildly elevated.

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2011 19:58:23 | More by smcolw

Jason

Massachusetts

3.55/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22oz brown bomber with a batch # on the bottle.

LOOK: Hazed golden peach color, more than ample head

SMELL: Orangey, grassy, catty, spicy rye, yeast, juicy fruit, over ripe lemons

TASTE: Hoppy, herbal, spicy rye, bready, buttery yeast, mangoes, hemp seeds, dried grass, bitter dry finish

Gratz on the 25 years, certainly a good stab at the Rye IPA style. Big and hoppy equals fun and the house character keeps it interesting.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2012 03:25:42 | More by Jason

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.53/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a fluffy 1 finger white head that fades semi slowly, with decent lacing, over hazy, completely sediment filled copper orange colored beer. Best by 7/15/12, so shouldn't be too old.

Nose brings malts to start, a caramel malt aroma, with a little spicy rye, some sweetness with a touch of what could be booze like aroma, almost bock like with a bit of fruit and chewy malts. The hops are there but not much, light floral earthy hops.

Taste starts slightly sweet with more malts again, caramel, toasty reddish malts, even a bit creamy, with a hint of booze. The bitterness kicks in bringing more earthy chewy hops, with a fairly bitter profile. The rye comes through more on the end, as it finishes, with a big spicy rye kick late. The finish dries a bit but still slightly sweet with more caramel taste, earthy spicy hops, a ramping big bitterness, and some spicy rye.

Mouth is med bodied, good carb.

Overall not bad but nothing to write home about, doesn't really do anything wrong but doesn't stand out in any specific way, pretty much at all. The hops are pretty light overall with some bitterness on the finish mostly but could have used a lot more aromatic and flavorful hops, the malts are nice but a bit on the sweet side, and the rye really doesn't come through until towards the end.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2012 15:54:16 | More by jlindros

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle purchased as a single at Yankee Spirits, Sturbridge, MA.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 1/2" off-white head over the slightly cloudy amber brew. Head falls steadily, popping bubbles one by one, with nicely lasting sticky lace. Aroma is spices and crisp fresh piney hops.

Taste starts sweet, lemon and spice in the middle, and pine hops comes on for the close. Mouthfeel is smooth, and drinkability is good as well. Rye adds a nice twist to the IPA style.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2011 21:56:51 | More by ppoitras

DrJay

Massachusetts

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

Looks nice, clear gold with a fluffy, off-white cap. Lots of clumpy lacing, decent head retention. I got a whiff of grapefruit and grassy hops during the pour and wasn't disappointed once I had more time to contemplate the beer in the glass. There was a slight pine resin edge to the hops as well, plus mild nutty and bready malts. Solid bitterness, citrus pith and grassy hops in the flavour, some spicy hops in the finish, with mild malt bready/rye presence, minerals, and slight alcohol. Good texture, medium light in body with moderate carbonation, but it felt light and creamy. Overall, I enjoyed this one. The rye didn't add a lot, but I did like the hop character.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2011 20:59:41 | More by DrJay

plaid75

New York

3.93/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On draft at Tap and Barrel, Hauppague, NY.

Poured a medium brass hue with a two finger frothy white head. There was good retention and very good sticky lacing.

The smell featured a piney hop muffled by a super soft malt combo.

The taste consisted of a full piney hop atop a rich soft malt. Rye spice noted as well.

The mouthfeel was toward the creamier side of the style.

Overall a tasty full bodied IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

11-28-2012 00:05:43 | More by plaid75

Brad007

Vermont

4.25/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a light amber/golden color with a one-finger head into my glass. Looks about right.

Tangy, grassy and citrusy hop essence greets the nose. Very fresh with just a bit of bread.

Rich, grassy and citrusy hops greet the tongue. Very strong on the bitterness combined with the spiciness of the rye.

You know a beer is well hopped when it lingers at the back in a definite manner.

I like this IPA. It has a lot of potential.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2011 03:05:34 | More by Brad007

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev -2.1%
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

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a hazy pale orange-ish color, with an off white head. In the aroma, citrus hops with some pine like hops. In the taste, pine hops with a nice rye and apple dryness. A small bite, but mainly smooth, with a medium to lighter bodied mouthfeel, with a semi dry green apple sweet and pine like hops in the aftertaste. Nice hops and a nice rye presence, very nice!

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2012 20:30:53 | More by OWSLEY069

avalon07

South Carolina

3.2/5  rDev -16%
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

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

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

I picked a bottle of this up at Mt Rose quick six, enjoyed chilled in a willybecker.

The color is a golden glowing orange shade with hazed appearance and thick collar of about 2 fingers of beige which leaves a nice coating of lace on the glass. The smell is very fragrant with hop fruitiness which provides a slight piney odor with mild citrus and grapefruit elements but a gentle malt odor provides some sweetness in the nose. The feel is good, nice bitter elements combined with gentle toast and malt sweetness with a light spiciness and moderatly high carbonation level with some oiliness from the hops.

I really like how this takes a little bit of influence from Harpoon ipa and adds a new dimension, the rye adds to the spice flavor of the hops which are bitter in flavor and a little citrus tasting at times too. I like the gentle orange rind element with hints of pine and the malt adds a nice caramel tinge in the back end. Overall I was pleased with this ipa, pretty solid for the style and enjoyable with a nice rye presence.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2012 16:51:32 | More by Slatetank

kylehay2004

Florida

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

A: single finger head. Golden and minimally hazy.

S: Mild grapefruit and hops.

T: Hop flavor is nice and balanced. Not very overwhelming. Citrus and rye notes. A decent amount of pine. Bitter and earthy malts.

M: Medium bodied, oily texture, moderate carbonation.

Overall: A solid flavor mix with the rye coming through nicely.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2011 01:26:48 | More by kylehay2004

nickfl

Florida

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

A - Pours with one finger of white foam, which settles slowly and leaves good lace. Good clarity and a copper colored body.

S - Musty hop aromas with some pine and caramel.

T - Some spicy rye up front with pine and citrus hops. More intense grapefruit in the middle that transitions to moderate bitterness and dry toasted malt in the finish.

M - Medium body, moderate carbonation, and a dry, slightly astringent finish.

D - This beer has a very nice aroma with a juicy, fresh hop flavor. The bitterness is harsh, but the flaovr is otherwise nicely balanced, though not as pungently hoppy as the aroma implies it might be. The rye character is a high point since it is strong enough to be noticed above the other flavors and doesn't get lost the way it does in so many other "rye" beers.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2011 01:26:18 | More by nickfl