Harpoon White IPA - Harpoon Brewery

forsakenpariah

Alabama

4.58/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22 oz bottle -> imperial pint glass

A - Hazy pale straw with a two finger pillowy white head. Lots of carbonation bubbles give good head retention.

S - WOW! This smells delicious! Pungent floral hops with big citrus notes up front. A faint wheaty smell and traditional hefeweizen yeast character hides shyly in the back. Smells more or less like a traditional American IPA plus a wonderful complexity from the wheat character.

T - More floral and citrusy hops fade into a more tradition wheat malt character and some spicy yeast notes. I'm not sure if I'm actually tasting some banana in there or if I just think I am becasue I'm expecting it to be there. Noticable but not overpowering bitterness persists from the first sip all the way to the aftertaste. Very nicely balanced and complex.

M - Thick and full body with lots of carbonation. Not what I'd normally expect from an IPA but it certainly blends very well with this beer, moreso than I'd expect.

Overall this is definitely the best white IPA I've ever had, and absolutely one of the best beers I've had. I'll definitely buy a few more of these while they're still around.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 19:15:04 | More by forsakenpariah

GratefulBeerGuy

New Hampshire

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

A slight haze, flowing activity on a pale golden color, rich and fluffy head, sticky and full.

The aroma is very impressive with an abundance of herbal-citric, hay and wheat, mild yeast effect, slight hea with lemmon zest and pepper. Rich.

The flavor is very bold with three big hop varieties giving a strong citric, zesty, earthy flavor, all in great balance. The mild Belgian-ish yeast gives nice earthy tones with sweet fruits on sour and citric layers. complex but damn easy to slam...or even put down!!

I treated this one like a session brew, gulp, gulp, gulp! but it's nice n complex and well worth sipping. This is easily of the very best from the small batch collection!!

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 22:12:11 | More by GratefulBeerGuy

CapH

New York

4.49/5  rDev +16%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A- Beautiful, glowing golden orange with tiny bubbles flowing up. White head that leaves sea foam like rings.

S- Citrusy Hops all the way. Refreshing smell like an orchard.

T- A solid, hop forward taste that lingers. Fresh, bright hops.

M- The wit comes through here. Champagne like carbonation with a smooth wheat mouthfeel. It works for this beer.

O- This one surprised me. I'm not a huge wit fan though I enjoy a good Belgian. IPA's? Who doesn't like 'em. This is a perfect melding of the two. I picture my self on a tropical beach, drinking these down all day long.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 23:38:13 | More by CapH

Kendo

New York

4.48/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured from the bomber into a Duvel tulip. Body is slightly hazy golden-orange with a 1.5-finger bubbly white head. Leaves good lacing.

S: Nice - Citra hops are in the house: citrusy and lemony but with a nice wheat twang to it too. Touch of spice.

T: The first descriptive word that comes to mind is "bright." Wheat foundation, a bit of spiciness (coriander, I think, though at times I'm reminded of rye) and then pleasant hoppiness - citric grapefruity (both peel and rind) and then finishing with nice lemony bitterness that really lingers on the palate well into the aftertaste. Heat from ABV surprisingly felt in the belly, but not noted otherwise.

M: Carbonation is modest and softly prickly. Call it light-to-medium in heft.

O: This is a fine White IPA. I'm giving much of the credit to the Citra hops, though the bottle says there are others (I think Simcoe and Cascade) in the mix as well.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 00:43:34 | More by Kendo

abgba121

Connecticut

4.45/5  rDev +15%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: pours a hazy golden color, thin white head, strong lace down the glass

S: citrus hop bomb, followed by belgian characters, some fruity, tart notes

T: hoppy citrus up front like the nose, following with the fruity yeast notes of a belgian. One of the best White IPAs I have had.

M: slightly more carbonation than expected

O: a great take on a white ipa, they should make this a regular

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2012 03:09:53 | More by abgba121

neophilus

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Golden orange brew, foamy white head on top. Decent lacing.

The bouquet erupts with piney-citrus bright hop aromas. Stiff hop bitterness on the palate, leaning heavily towards citrus. Grapefruit makes a big appearance in the taste. Dry, crisp and fruity. Lingering orange flavors bring some sweetness. Finishes with a clean hoppy bite, good carbonation and mouthfeel to carry it through to the end.

Frankly I'm blown away at the level of hop aroma and flavor coming out of this beer. The grapefruit notes really give the beer character while the lingering orange flavor adds a little something extra with each sip. Quite simply, excellent.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2012 17:10:16 | More by neophilus

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

4.4/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A-Pours like a cloud set before the rising sun ; its both glowing and foggy. A thick, white dollop of fluffy cream sits atop the brew. It leaves wiggly and spotty scars along the glass-line.

S-A bright combination of citrus, spice, wheat and tropical hops. The citrus mixes with the coriander notes quite well. The cracked wheat hugs the surprisingly vivid tropical hoppiness. Enticing.

T-The flavor delivers too. Hops are citrusy, tropical and even a bit floral. The wheat keeps everything in context. Sprinkles of spice accentuate the more dynamic flavors. Very bright, very vibrant.

M-Drinks incredibly easy. Moderate bitterness. Feels juicy then it dries out. No booze.

O/D-This Harpoon brew is stellar. Quirky and complex. This is one of Harpoon's best hoppy offerings. This one should be a year-rounder.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 02:09:02 | More by VelvetExtract

avalon07

South Carolina

4.33/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured from a bottle to a goblet. Had a yellow color and a cloudy texture. There was a small amount of foamy head that quickly dissipated. Pretty good lacing.

S: A surprisingly hoppy aroma, with hints of citrus in it as well.

T: Tasted of hops, orange peel, light malt, and some coriander. Seems much hoppier than the typical Belgian IPA, but this isn't a bad thing. A vibrant, well rounded, and focused flavor.

M: A highly carbonated beer with a sharp, bitter finish. Medium-bodied.

O: Definitely not your typical beer. It's kind of a hybrid of an IPA and a witbier, but it seems to work very well. Drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2012 23:38:42 | More by avalon07

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4.26/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

I had this from the IPA Discovery sampler case, poured chilled in a cervoise.

The color is peach nectar with hazed wheat beer look and thick tan cream with fine bead and good retention. The smell is great a mix of orange and tropical fruit with light spice ester from the yeast and mild hint of tangerine zest with a light floral accent. The feel is great smooth resins in the hop texture combine with light peppery spice and smooth wheat adds a light body with moderately high carbonation and moderate bitterness with semi-dry finish.

The flavor is great it has the orange zest and slight tangy citrus from the hops with a mild pine accent and slight tropical taste with yeast adding a light peppery phenolic element and wheat giving a gentle tanginess which adds to the citrus from the hops. Overall I loved this all the best elements of an IPA combined with the belgian Wit style a very nice hybrid from Harpoon!

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2013 14:10:48 | More by Slatetank

BeerNinja007

New Hampshire

4.23/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bomber, $5.99 from the Dover Fields Hannaford in Dover NH. Served cold in a standard pint glass.

The brew pours a pale cloudy orange. The initial appearance and smell immediately make me wonder if this is a hopped-up version of UFO White. Taste pretty much confirms this. It's wonderfully hoppy with sharp resiny citrus rind hops, quite pungent. Exactly the kind of juicy citrusy hops that I love the most. There's just enough supporting body and malt sweetness to balance the hops and keep the bitterness from overwhelming the brew. The finish is long and hoppy, tons of bitter apricot, semi-tropical, with some spicy stuff playing a secondary role. Overall very enjoyable.

As I said, very much like an extremely hopped-up version of UFO White. I think the UFO White is a decent brew. I could take it or leave it. This White IPA, however, is super tasty. A really great spin.

I'm glad Harpoon seems to be doing some more interesting/ experimental things with the 100-barrel series again (Black IPA, Spruce Tip, White IPA). Do more like these and I'll pay attention. I didn't bother to try the Ginger Wheat and Maple Wheat, that theme is old and busted.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2012 02:27:28 | More by BeerNinja007

alexgash

Connecticut

4.23/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

12 oz. bottle. Enjoy by 05/15/13. I am.

Partly hazy. Golden orange body. Lighter edges. Tall, frothy, cobwebby, bright white head. Great lacing. Tropical fruit juice malt base aroma. Plenty of citrusy notes. Grassy strawberry and light banana-yeastiness. Nice.

Toasted grains and herbal bitterness up front. Hops become peppery and spicy as sweetish fruit juice malts fill in. Slightly tropical with a bit of strawberry and banana. Grassy, herbal, slightly citrus hops into the finish. Lingering spiciness and Juicy Fruit. Medium to moderate body. Another nice IPA iteration from the Harpoon mix pack.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 22:57:45 | More by alexgash

superspak

Michigan

4.2/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22 ounce bottle into tulip glass, best before 12/19/2012. Pours hazy golden amber color with a 2 finger fluffy white head with good retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Good foamy lacing clings to the glass. Aromas of big grapefruit, orange zest, lemon, mango, pepper, herbal, grass, pine, earth, floral, and yeast spices. Fantastic aromas with good balance and complexity. Great hop profile as well. Taste of big grapefruit, orange zest, lemon, pineapple, pepper, herbal, pine, floral, earth, grass, and yeast spices. Good amount of spicy bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of citrus, pepper, herbal, pine, earth, grass, and yeast spices on the finish for a good bit. Nice balance and complexity of hop flavor and Belgian character; with a good bitterness/sweetness balance as well. No cloying flavors at all after the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a fairly creamy and lightly sticky mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with nearly zero warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a highly excellent White IPA! Great hop flavor profile with nice complexity; extremely smooth to drink. Highly enjoyable offering; might get more if it is still around.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2012 03:45:11 | More by superspak

Eeroomnhoj

Virginia

4.19/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

So today is my birthday and we ran by our local Costco to get some beer to bring to a friend's house. Bought a case of Harpoon and tried to share. They were drinking PBR and would not partake. Enjoying my third beer of the evening and really enjoy the white IPA. I can taste the orange described on the front page of the beer but cannot taste the coriander. Come to think of it I don't know what coriander tastes like. The beer is a little "hoppy" but I tend to like that. I will definitely drink this beer again. Inexpensive but good.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2013 00:58:23 | More by Eeroomnhoj

donkeyrunner

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This was my pick for the father vs. son beer battle.

Cloudy gold with a thick but brittle pristine white head. Lace like sea foam curtains my glass.

Smells like wet, juicy hops: bright, sharp grassy orange and lemon vanilla frosting. The bottle claims Citra, Cascade and Simcoe. Smells about right. Wheaty hay underneath.

Soft, malty body with more orange lemon meringue hops.

I'm fairly new to the style, though I guess the style is new in general, but I like it. My un-biased pick as the father vs. son beer battle winner.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 23:13:43 | More by donkeyrunner

jondeelee

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

White IPA opens to a bright, citrusy, hoppy nose laden with grapefruit rind, pine resin, eucalyptus, and lemon zest, with lesser notes of dandelion stem and rose hips. The initial brightness fades quickly, leaving a still-potent hop nose, but the fading reveals an underlying layer of fruity sugars, including orange, berry, and apricot, mingled with peppery spices that bite at the nostrils. There’s also a good hint of white grape and cherry, adding a spritzer-like overtone that combines well with the other sugars. The aromas are mainly fruity and hoppy, but small touches of toast crust and rising dough do add a bit of earthiness. As a whole, the nose is very nice, bearing an excellent and mouthwatering array of hops and sugars, marred only by the fact that these are so powerful that they wash out the breads, causing the beer to smell more like liquid candy sugar, or fruity cocktail, than malt beverage.

On the tongue, the beer begins with a quick blast of hops, bringing pine resin and grapefruit rind, then adds a layer of fruity sugars, including orange, apricot, white grape, and berry, joined by pepper spices. It’s immediately obvious why this is a “white IPA,” as there are enough spices in here to bring to mind the orange and coriander notes of a witbier, but enough pine and grapefruit rind to add a pleasant, but not overwhelming (45 IBUs) layer of IPA-strength hops. These two styles largely work well together, each influencing the other to become more than itself, though the grapefruit rind notes do tend to jar the softer orange and coriander flavors. This is especially present late in the mouthful after the sugars have died off, when the grapefruit rind (and, to a lesser extent, pine resin) flavors largely overtake everything, adding a quite potent fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice quality to everything. The aftertaste is a continuation of bitter grapefruit and pine, with some remaining fruit and spice, and lingers for a good while on the tongue. Mouthfeel is medium, and carbonation is medium to medium-high, biting at the tongue and soft palate.

Overall, this is good fare, and certainly an interesting mix of witbier and IPA. By themselves, each of these styles are well represented in here, and would make for a delicious beer. Together, they have great potential to become something greater, and do for the most part, but in the end the grapefruit zest from the hops simply overpowers everything, and makes the aftertaste messy.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2012 19:04:18 | More by jondeelee

stakem

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

Big thanks to Slatetank for gifting me with a bottle of this. Poured into a spiegelau IPA glass, the brew pours a clouded pale golden color with a rich 2+ finger cap that is slightly off-white. The cap fades leaving a webbing of stringy lacework on the glass. A swirl effortlessly revives a finger of yellowish stained cap back to the surface. Perhaps I misunderstood the meaning behind the "white" aspect of this brew as I let the sediment creep into the glass and it is evident with chunks stuck in suspension that come to rest in the bottom of the glass.

The smell of this brew is citrus-like with notes of fruity rinds like lemon moreso than the advertised orange peel. Some herbal hop component leads the way after the citrus and mild fruity tones fade away. Overall the composition of the aromatics is quite nice blending back and forth between fruity and herbal with a mild grainy quality providing a supporting role throughout. As it warms up, the nose on this gets a bit weedy to grassy, not bad.

Tasting this brew provides a bitterness front and center that is mildly rindy and zesty with the flavoring of grapefruit, oranges and lemon that blends into more of an earthen to herbal flavor of hoppy bitterness. Again a mild grain presence is felt faintly suggesting wheaty sweetness to contrast the oily bitterness of this brew. It has a solid balance and plenty of character to take in. The blending of white ale citrus character into this IPA was done very well.

This is a light bodied brew with a moderate amount of carbonation. The feel is lively, uplifting and very easy drinking. The IPA portion of this "blended style" is much more focused than the white aspect. Having never had a "white IPA" before, I was not really sure what to expect. I think this was done pretty well and would not mind trying other examples of this if given the chance. Thanks again Matt!

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 01:04:05 | More by stakem

Gavage

New Jersey

4.05/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: pours a hazy yellowish orange color with a 2" head that slowly falls. Some light lace develops.

Smell: citrus and some floral bitterness is very pleasant on the nose.

Taste: mild grainy malt profile with some orange, grass, pepper, and a nice floral bitterness.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied. Crisp from start to finish, with a mild dryness arriving late. Aftertaste is long lasting as citrus and bitterness linger in the mouth.

Overall: a very tasty beer that is easy to consume and refreshing. Well worthy of a try if you can find it.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2012 20:07:38 | More by Gavage

Ranz

Texas

4.05/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: After a vigorous pour in my bowled whiskey snifter, there wasn't much head. It's a nice opaque orange hue with slight clarity.

S: This has an excellent hop profile: lots of citrus--especially orange--and floral notes with hints grass and maybe even bubblegum. The spices give it some lovely tinge.

T: At first, the taste is a bit of a downer after the lovely aroma, but not much of one. It's just much spicier than I had expected with a nice undertone of mandarin orange and grapefruit. However, with some warmth, it improves considerably and gains a slight tinge of booziness along with a more pronounced zest of coriander and orange peel.

M: The hop spice gives it a special kick, but, as the bottle says, it's otherwise a soft mouthfeel. Very unusual combination here.

O: I'm glad I got it for under ten bucks, but I wouldn't go out of my way to have it again. It's the first 100 Barrel Series that hasn't particularly wowed me.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 01:28:35 | More by Ranz

Dools9

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

12 oz bottle best before 5/15/13 poured into a Harpoon IPA pint glass. Bottle part of new "IPA Adventure 12 pack."

A: Pours a cloudy golden color with a nice sudsy two finger head. Good sticky lace and solid retention.

S: Definitely get bright floral aromas mixed with some, sweet citrusy fruit. Also getting the yeasty belgian character with subtle spices thrown in there.

T: Sweet citrus fruit, getting a lot of tangerine and sweet grapefruit like flavor, fresh floral hop. Solid bready malt back with light spice undertones. Finishes a bit dry with a very subtle bitterness. Super refreshing brew.

M: I'd say light end of medium body, carbonation is medium as well. Smooth feel with a light prickly feel.

O: One of the better beers I've had from Harpoon and actually pleasantly surprised by this one. Very refreshing beer, prefer it to the regular IPA.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 16:50:27 | More by Dools9

Goldopelgt

Ohio

4.04/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A: Poured from a 12oz bottle...golden, honey color with a crisp white head...some lacing left on the glass

S: Sort of a yeasty dankness up front with some spicy and citrusy hop notes as well...coriander, pepper, lemon zest...a lot going on here...

T: Citrus (grapefruit?) and yeast up front...mild hoppy bitterness throughout...the two distinct styles are definitely there but neither is overpowering...

M: Crisp, clean with a slight tartness that sorta works...not overly carbonated...smooth

D: Very complex brew, and I have to say its pretty damn good...Both the Wit and IPA styles are so distinct that it almost clashes at times, but is still so interesting that you can't put the glass down... Definitely worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2013 23:16:20 | More by Goldopelgt

shand

Florida

4.04/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Harpoon White IPA pours out a hazy orange color with a tiny head that laces well. The aroma is big on citrus hops that are very well rounded by the Belgian yeast. The taste follows with a very nice hop character for the style that actually works with the yeast as opposed to against it, as tends to happen with Belgian IPAs. The mouthfeel is light and crisp, and the drinkability goes. As far as Belgian IPAs go, I actually like this one. It's basically a solid IPA with just a little bit of Belgian character.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 17:38:15 | More by shand

Treyliff

West Virginia

4.03/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- pours a hazy golden-yellow color with some wheat particles floating around, small white fizzy head with good retention and just a bit of lace.

S- bright floral and citrus hops, with notes of fresh tropical fruits including papaya and pineapple. Al aromas are pronounced and pleasant, impressive.

T- tangerine flavor from citrus hops, notes of pine, slightly spicy, slightly grassy, slick and malty wheat finish with more citrus hop on the palate at the finish.

M- light body, low carbonation, foamy mouthfeel with a chalky wheat finish on the palate.

O- great pronounced citrus and tropical aromas with a well balanced flavor profile, very refreshing and one of the best I've had from the 100 barrell series.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 23:31:37 | More by Treyliff

Jason

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz brown bomber w/ a batch number on the label

LOOK: Hazed golden color, great lacing down to the bottom of the glass

SMELL: Mildly dank hop, spicy, fruity, yeast, peppery, coriander faint alcohol, citrus zest

TASTE: Citric bomb, smooth, semi-slick, medium body, grainy, coriander, hop bitterness, tobacco, ruby red grapefruit, spicy, mild alcoholic esters, minty, herbal, earthy, yeast, marmalade, finish spicy and dry and bitter

More complex than I anticipated, a lot going on with the hop profile and as it bounces off the Wit side of the brew it does well but comes back in a different way as it was to compliment and somewhat clash at the same time. The most interesting White IPAs brewed that I have tried, the UFO brand should take this beer on it is that good.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 02:44:13 | More by Jason

lordofthewiens

Maine

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

In a tulip glass this beer was a hazy orange color with a small white head. There was a little bit of lace.

Nice aroma: floral, citrus, and spice. I thought the aroma worked well, with complimentary but not competing aromas.

Taste of orange, lemon, and grapefruit. A bit of clove. Again, everything complimented each other.

Pretty mellow, maybe more of a wit than an IPA. Very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2012 19:18:20 | More by lordofthewiens

kangarooAdam59

Maine

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Best by Decemeber 19, 2012:

In a chalice:

A: hazy golden body yields a foamy, one finger white head. No carbonation is seen rising. Some nice light foamy lacing speckles the sides of the chalice.

S: hops, citrus with some light peppery notes, slightly subdued Belgian yeast

T: crisp rye/pepperiness mixed well into the citrusy/hops.

M: medium with a crisp yet somewhat wet feel. I would say this is fairly drinkable.

O: I'm impressed, I'm not sure if this is really a witbier as some say, but stands up to Harpoon's "Belgian IPA" more so as it is labeled under. I would definitely come back to this.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2012 17:55:07 | More by kangarooAdam59