Harpoon Crimson Warlock - Harpoon Brewery

Auror

Massachusetts

4.48/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the fairly new Yard House by Fenway, Boston. Served in a goblet with a generous head.

Appearance- Light copper color with ok lacing and a fairly impressive 1/2in persistent head.

Smell- Piney hops are in the fore front, with some cherries and tart fruit coming secondary.

Taste-Taste reminds me of a scotch ale at the beginning followed by some sour funk and a distinct kriek flavoring. You can taste the 8.5% alcohol a bit, but only enough to enhance the flavor profile. Hops are slightly prevalent, and the beer finishes dry. Verrry balanced beer.

Mouthfeel- Light carbonation, with a coating, lingering mouth presence.

Overall- I live in Boston and this is the best beer I've had from Harpoon and its not close. This is dangerously drinkable at 8.5% and nothing like anything I've had from the brewery before, including at fests. It reminded me of Boulevard's BBQ, which was probably my favorite first tried beer of 2011. Really hoping I run into this again around town.

Serving type: on-tap

05-12-2012 04:01:26 | More by Auror

claspada

New Jersey

4.23/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Description calls it a hoppy red ale that is a blend of Imperial IPA and Celtic Ale aged on Brett, Jim Bean and Wild Turkey barrels.

Pours hazy reddish/copper color with a decent size khaki colored head that dissipates quickly leaving some light spotty lacing.

Aromas begin quite IPA forward with citrusy and herbal hops. Then you get the sweetish/light caramel maltiness. As it warms the Brett becomes more prevalent with sour cherry and sweet tart fruits.

The tastes follow the nose with a nice sweet pale and caramel malts with decent amount of citrusy hops to balance. As it warms once again the sour Brett notes emerge more and more to balance the DIPA hoppiness.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied with medium level of carbonation. The finish is on the dry side due to the hoppiness and the Brett yeast.

Overall I really enjoyed this beer, it strikes a nice balance of bitterness and sourness. The sourness is by no means overbearing or the dominant flavor and honestly I wish it was a little more prevalent, but if they ever bottled this it may evolve and develop with time. A really well balanced beer that I would gladly drink anytime or anyplace due to its drinkability and quality flavor profile.

Serving type: on-tap

04-27-2012 13:24:23 | More by claspada