Harpoon Rich & Dan's Rye IPA - Harpoon Brewery

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Really glad they put this in a 2 dollar 12oz single since I would have avoided the big bottles since they are between 6-8 dollars here in PA.

A - Looks like a hazy unfiltered IPA with a 1/2 inch of white head. Lacing is spot on.

S - Smell is subdued rye, resinous hops, and a touch of cracker malt.

T - Actually quite drinkable the rye isn't so dry making this very drinkable. The piney hops do get kind of dry but malt balances do their thing. Not bad.

M - Light to medium quite easy to drink

Overall Harpoon really does make some good beers and even though I don't love rye beers this one is quite drinkable. Worth a try!

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2012 23:05:01 | More by DrDemento456

BennyL1

Massachusetts

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

12oz bottle Poured into an Allagash chalice. Drink by 8/15/12.

This Rye IPA pours a nice copper color with a thick frothy white head that sticks around for a while. Really nice thick rings of lace is left along the glass. Fine looking brew right here.

Aromas of rich piney hops with a good rye background. Maybe a bit of caramel in the background.

Lots of good hop flavors up front. Spicy and floral hops with that distinguished rye background. Really enjoying this one. Mouthfeel is nice as well, so easy to put back! Medium in body with good carbonation.

Harpoon got this one right. I'm not a huge fan of rye beers but this one hit the spot. Would recommend to friends.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2012 01:05:46 | More by BennyL1

merc7186

New York

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

I had this beer poured on tap at Ulrichs Tavern in Buffalo NY, poured into a pint glass.

A: Amber Hue, Passes Some Light, White Head, Outstanding Lacing

S: Rye, Semi Sweet Malts, Mild Resin

T: Rye, Resin, Semi Sweet Malts

M: Decent Carbonation, Medium Bodied, Mildly Sweet, Semi Dry

Overall, pretty nice Rye IPA and somewhat surprising from Harpoon.

Serving type: on-tap

06-13-2012 19:25:45 | More by merc7186

maximum12

Minnesota

4.23/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to ferillo for a couple bottles of this amidst a stampede of rye. Coupled with my local rye buys, I should be set. For a week or two. 12 oz. bottle. Best by date of 8/15/12, whatever that means.

Pour is very IPA, light orange, clear but not see-through. Nose is mostly pale malts; little going on here.

Rich & Dan's Rye IPA brings ginormous doses of everything; wow factor in effect. Great dollops of earthy rye sit on the tongue, with a peppery kick not far behind. Piney zestiness in the middle, along with bread crumbs, before a sizzling bitterness scalds the palate on the downslope. Tongue-numbing. Another sip begins the happy process all over again. Lovely beer that could be sipped all night, into the mornig, then poured over one's Grape Nuts. Well, if Grape Nuts weren't nasty, of course.

Lovely. This is an excellent beer that melds two of my favorite style in a complex yet drinkable beer. Great rye presence, vicious hop bite, great flavor. Big winner. Love it.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2012 03:24:53 | More by maximum12

SawDog505

New Hampshire

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

Poured into a 13 oz tulip glass, best by 8/15/12. Pours a slightly hazy dark orange, with a one inch sticky white head that leaves a nice collar of lace on the glass. Smell is tangerine, pineapple, and grass. Taste is similar, some carmel and Rye in the finish. Body is medium, plenty of carbonation, a touch dry, and easy drinking. I first had this last year at Harpoon's 25 fest. This is very nice and will be in my fridge often now.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2012 21:17:03 | More by SawDog505

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Best by 08/15/12

Pours with a big ol' head that cakes before it tries to settle. Dense and shimmering. Body is a pretty clear copper color with a few rising bubbles seen. Looks nice with the thick organic shapes of lacing. Now, I'd like to pour the rest of my beer now. Thanks. 4.5

Smells of rye and soft floral hops. Slightly musty like an EIPA, and slightly gingery. Nice. 3.5

First sip. Floral hops that are pretty dry compose the hop base. A little bit earthy, as well. Plenty of rye malts used with a spicy, dry finish. The grains transform into something like a whole-grain Triscuit. Not getting much fruitiness. I am, and very surprisingly, getting some alcohol warmth as it goes down. Simple, but delicious. 3.5

One of the easiest beers to drink. Sudsy without going over-the-top or choking the gulp. Medium-heavy body for the style. A little boozy reminder so you know you're throwing back beer. Poi-fect!! 5.0

Do I enjoy this brew? Yes. Would I buy it again? Yes, preferrably on-tap if I can find it. Would I recommend it? Yes, to a lover of rye beer and English IPAs. 4.0

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2012 04:08:58 | More by thecheapies

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

KTCamm

New Jersey

3.55/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. The bomber is pictured above, but they must have moved this to a 12 oz offering.

Pours medium copper with semi thick ring of white foam. Evident lacing. Strong rye nose. Taste is a thin malt that evolves into a bitter hop/rye blend. Very dry. Open is almost water-based and the rye lingers. good./

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2012 12:00:23 | More by KTCamm

MoreThanWine

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a 1/2" custard yellow head with decent lifespan. In masstone it looks like tea but held to the light there's a pretty hazy burnt orange color. It smells richly of piney hops. Taste matches the smell and has that sort of sour bitter rye bread taste you get from rye. Finish is pretty subtle. Pretty good all around.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2012 17:30:36 | More by MoreThanWine

ToasterChef

Maine

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

The beer has a very clear consistency. It is the color of clean, shiny copper kettle. There is a lot of carboantion clinging to the sides of my glass. A very large head of off-white bubbles fills the top third of my glass—there is so much that I can't pour all 12 ounces into this pint glass. Very good lacing is left behind.

The beer has a very nice aroma. I could smell big hops aromas as soon as I began pouring. On closer inspection, there is also a healthy dose of rye in the nose. The hops are both earthy, like a pile of crisp leaves, and citrus-like, recalling orange zest.

The beer's flavor comes across as very balanaced, even though it is a hop forward beverage. The rye spices are tasted immediately. Soon, more traditional hop bitterness comes forward. The bitterness stays through the finish, although here it is more oily than it was earlier. The malt sweetness is also tasted here, but it isn't too sweet. It's like a watery malt syrup (without that viscous feeling).

This beer is slightly thicker than average for the style, but the carbonation, while a little intense, seems to be par for the course. My lips are left a little sticky. The mouthcoat is noticeable, but not too sticky.

This is a very good Rye IPA. I'm glad that Harpoon has decided to release it in 12 oz bottles. I imagine that it will find it's way into my fridge somewhat regularly.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2012 00:18:25 | More by ToasterChef

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had this on 2012-05-23 in Columbia, PA

A - Somewhat hazy, amber-orange with a 2.5-finger pillowy head and mild-moderate lacing.

S - Peach, citrus, light cat, floral, light malt and yeast. Pleasant but not powerful.

T - Sweet rye bread malt, pepper, a lot of citrus and spice potpourri, hop oils, sour dough then a significant amount of grapefruit juice and orange zest bitterness. The lingering aftertaste is more of the same, with these flavors staying in balance for quite awhile until the hop bitterness breaches their defenses for the win.

M - Medium body and light-medium carbonation. Oily, prickly and a bit chewy.

O - I enjoyed this brew because of its own take on the style with flavors and feel that appeals to me. I'd have it again.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2012 23:08:09 | More by Tucquan

rangerred

Tennessee

3.35/5  rDev -12.1%
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

rlee1390

Indiana

3.83/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A-Cloudy light amber, not much carbonation, two finger head

S-Rye, malt, grassy notes, some citrus, good hop presence.

T-Starts with spicy rye notes, grassy and citrus hope, mild bitterness.

M-Light to medium bodied, borderline over carbonated.

O-A nice Rye beer, Ruthless is much better, carbonation needs to be toned down a little bit.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2012 21:15:49 | More by rlee1390

puboflyons

New Hampshire

3.63/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

From the 12 fl oz. bottled version rather than the 22 ouncer, which is the way it was first released. Best By 8/15/12. The pour is a pretty standard copper-amber color with only a short lasting head that dissolves to a ring and a topping of foam. The aroma is alive with floral and piney hops which overpower everything else although there is a little grainy character in there. The body is in the medium range and rather smooth but not creamy. The taste also brings forth a huge hop character with a biting bitterness at the end and some grains. Nothing sweet here. It will linger for a bit after it is finished.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2012 23:49:45 | More by puboflyons

taez555

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer pours a clear orange body with a thick white head.

Nose is a combination of some basic vegetable, biscuit, malt and mild hop smells. You can smell the rye, but it’s not in your face.

Taste is very nice. Medium to light bodied. Very easy drinking with a firm bitterness and citric grapefruit hop flavor. The addition of the rye malt is very apparent, as it has a much more spicy flavor to it than the regular Harpoon IPA. Much more of a bite and aggressiveness. Fresh malt, but touches of pepper, lime peel, citric fruit flavors, rye bread. Ends with a strong bitterness at first but doesn’t hold long to kill the palate.

I’m really glad they put this beer in 6 packs. It’s not that I dislike the normal Harpoon IPA, it’s just become such a staple it’s almost routine and boring at this point. This beer completely reinvigorates the style. The rye is the perfect touch that gives it that little extra bite that makes the beer nerd in me happy.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2012 22:08:03 | More by taez555

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

nebula1999

Connecticut

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

Poured from 100 bbl bomber bottle; cellar purchased date July 2011.

Clear golden yellow with 2 inch white head.

Smells of light grain, piney hops and IPA goodness. No rye spice detected.

Taste is the same. Very little rye going on here that I can find. I’ve had much more assertive rye beers. But there is a pleasant bright sharpness to the beer which might be attributable to the rye malt. Goes down easy, but the ABV catches up to me pretty quick.

Good beer. I would like to compare it to the 12 oz offerings that are now available in 6ers.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2012 17:30:33 | More by nebula1999

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

4.16/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A-Pours a cloudy orange jam color. Consistent head leaves even more consistent lacing. Head is soupy and frothed.

S-Citrus and pine hops. Light floral notes too. Rye isn't too intense which I am happy about. Decently balanced. Smooth, well-rounded nose.

T-Pleasant hoppiness. Citrus, pine and flowers. Rye bread. Balanced and crisp. The beer's flavor becomes more enjoyable after every sip.

M-Medium bodied. Surprised by the alcohol content. Booze is masked very well. A bit slick on the tongue.

O/D-A nice brew. Kudos to Harpoon for throwing this into a six-pack.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2012 01:52:28 | More by VelvetExtract

BigCheese

Massachusetts

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

Guess they make this in 6 packs now, on sale @ Julio's 8 bucks. 12oz bottle drink by 7/15 so this is less than one month old.

A: A cloudy/unfiltered orange/caramel. Thin white head, subdues a bit and leaves some lacing.

S: Rather pungent. Very citrus/floral based, some molasses/malts in backbone, hints of pepper but only because I'm looking for it.

T: Right of the bat a Punch of Juicy Grapefruit/peppery rye and a bit of pine, then gets a sweeter with powdered sugar/lemon/banana and smooth caramel. Bitterness returns with a floral/citrus with that woody/peppery rye too. As it warms more pine character comes through.

M: A tad light/watery considering ABV. Some hop oily slickness to it. Would make a decent session beer. Could take down 3/4 no problem.

O: One of harpoons best 6-pack offerings, and one of their most flavorful/interesting beers. I liked this better than SN Ruthless Rye. Great value purchase and I'd definitely purchase again. Def better than regular IPA.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2012 00:40:45 | More by BigCheese

andrewinski1

Maine

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

Poured into a pint glass. There is a large white tan foamy head that leaves behind some sticky lacing. The color is nice and golden.

The arama has some nice citrusy hops with maybe a hint of melon.

The taste is a nice blend of tangy rye malt that finishes crisp with the citrus zesty hops. This really shows off the rye flavor well and integrating it into the IPA.

This is crisp and refreshing. A very nice IPA that showcases delicious spicy hops with the rye flavor.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2012 04:18:23 | More by andrewinski1

ghostwalker

Massachusetts

3.05/5  rDev -19.9%
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

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

twiggamortis420

Texas

3.73/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

#37 in the 100-barrel series...I have enjoyed, if not re-purchased, nearly all of these that have made their way to Tx. Pours fairly clear with a dense cap of off-white head. Nice retention and leaves pretty rings of lace after each swig. Good looking brew.

Nose shows a nice balance of dark, bready rye and citric, floral hops. It seems tough to find a comfortable middle when it comes to mixing earthy, rustic rye and bright, citric hops. Harpoon seems to have nailed it here though, at least in the aroma department.

Taste is not quite as good as it smelled, unfortunately. Lots of rye bread with a ton of near-burnt toast. Hops show plenty of both bittering and flavoring...kind of piney and floral. Not bad, not bad...big rye, big hops. I think Harpoon accomplished what they set out to do with this one, although for me the results are just decent, not lip-smackingly delicious.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2012 18:10:39 | More by twiggamortis420

curasowa

New York

3.25/5  rDev -14.7%
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

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