Harpoon Leviathan - Great Scott - Harpoon Brewery

acevenom

Louisiana

3.93/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass. Pours slightly hazy copper with a light cream colored head that dissipates slowly. There appears to be abundant tiny bubbles rising in the beer. Some lacing is left on the side of the glass. The beer smells of sweet malts with some alcohol in the aroma. I pick up some of the peated malt as well. The alcohol is forward in the taste as well as some of those smoky and sweet flavors I'd expect from the malts. There's some back end bitterness and some dark fruit notes. It's a rich flavored beer. The body is full with moderate carbonation. The alcohol brings a nice warming quality, making it acceptable for a cool evening. The finish is fairly clean thanks to the carbonation. This is a very good beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2012 23:47:42 | More by acevenom

puboflyons

New Hampshire

3.93/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From the 12 fl. oz. bottle served about 40 degrees. Sampled on October 7, 2012.

It pours a very attractive looking dark amber with copper hues throughout and a head that rises slightly than diminishes to a ring.

The aroma is malts, caramel malts, and more sweet malts. That is the best way to define it. Some boozy character but no smoky character as promised in the description.

The body is bold and creamy. I like that a lot.

The taste begins with a whole lot of malty sweetness and a more downplayed bitterness at the end that does not linger for very long. Still, as far as Scottish Wee Heavy's go, Harpoon has a pretty good rendition on the style.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2012 20:35:34 | More by puboflyons

jmaharaj

Maryland

3.23/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A- Deep copper/brown beer with a thin effervescent that head dissipates almost immediately. Looks thick, syrupy, mildly carbonated and potent.

S- Smells promising. Alchohol is certainly featured however its biting egdes are tempered under deep dried fuit and a hint of the peated malt. I do wish the peat was a little smokier but this beer certainly smells wonderful.

T- Less complex than the aroma might indicate. The peat sits quietly under everything, there but never really involoved.The alchohol strikes first then falls into a prune/raisin malt middle. The alchohol takes over egain , ending warm. Really not bad at all, cohesive but not exciting.

M- A little light. Medium bodied, but i was expecting heavier. Holds this beer well, but given that i was expecting more from the taste, perhaps i was expecting a bigger body.

O- Nice beer, surprisingly drinkable at 10.2%, but at $13 for a 4 pack, I wouldn't buy again. Not as big as the name suggests.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2012 01:25:54 | More by jmaharaj

jdhilt

New Hampshire

4.08/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a two finger cream head that fades slowly leaving some lace. Nice crystal clear, deep amber color. Medium carbonation and medium bodied. Malty dark fruit nose and flavor is malty caramel, dark fruit and hints of alcohol. Decent Scotch ale. $3.60 for a 12oz bottle from Beverage Warehouse Winooski, VT.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2012 22:31:37 | More by jdhilt

Celtics76

Rhode Island

3.93/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I had this while preparing to grill a Greek pizza and watching the Sox continue to collapse. I poured it into a Red Hook Limited glass.

The head is thin/fizzy and quickly reduces to a ring around the glass. Dark brown in color with a smoky aroma. Appears to have very mild carbonation.

The aroma comes out in the taste - sweet smoky flavor with hints of caramel as it warms. Has a very heavy, syrupy feel to it. There's a solid alcohol burn which I don't mind, however the 10.2% ABV is quite obvious here.

This is a good representation of an Imperial Scotch Ale. I recommend letting it warm a bit before consuming, as serving it too cold causes the alcohol to overpower the complex flavors.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2012 16:27:11 | More by Celtics76

rlee1390

Indiana

3.85/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A-Translucent ruby one finger head with some carbonation and slight lacing.

S-Rather malty, some caramel, tad bit of peat, dark fruits (plums?)

T-Caramel, little beat, some bitterness. Plums and other dark fruits. Not as much smokiness as I would have liked.

M-Medium bodied, some carbonation, a tad watery and even some alcohol heat.

O-A good scotch ale but a little too boozy and not enough smokey notes.

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2012 22:22:47 | More by rlee1390

pmacoy78

Connecticut

4.03/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

served cold from a bottle in a snifter, sitting to get closer to room temperature.
Appearance: Lighter than most Scotch Ales. Off white one finger head is very light and dissipates quickly.
Nose: Brown sugar, molasses, Hint of Vanilla (maybe caramel?) Smells strangely like French Toast with a hint of peaty smoke.
Taste: Alcohol. Warm, Smokey. Light peat and brown sugar mix nicely to create a warm, comforting taste experience.
Mouthfeel: Lighter, less oily more than most Scotch ales.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2012 19:32:37 | More by pmacoy78

Bierman9

New Hampshire

3.9/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Got a 4-pack of this a few weeks back. Time to set my thoughts down in bits and bytes....

I poured most of 2 bottles into an old, large Rapscallion snifter. It's a deep, mostly clear, rich amber color. A bit too dark to make out what the carbo scene looked like, but the head was a touch off-white, thin, creamy and fine. Lacing was a bit on the sparse side. The nose was a somewhat sweetish, with some caramel, molasses and brown sugar. The body was a little more than medium, and it felt rather smooth going down.

Flavor is solidly sweet and malty, yet not cloying or syrupy. Caramel appears here again, plus more brown sugar, with hints that it was lightly caramelized. The smoky peat malts are on the faint side, but can be discerned if you look for them. Though lacking complexity, this is pretty tasty, overall. Would like to try a side-by-side with Sammys Wee Heavy. Cheers!

3.9/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

1487

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2012 22:36:40 | More by Bierman9

tigerbeer90

South Carolina

3.75/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I poured this great scott from a bottle into a chalice. Malty with a bit of strawberry? This beer was overall a good beer. Not much alcohol taste, but a little bit of confusion in the mouth. From the darker color, I expected a little more. This is not as good as the imperial IPA, but worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2012 01:45:11 | More by tigerbeer90

Arithmeticus

Maryland

4.48/5  rDev +17%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured room temp in shifts in sampling glass

A: very robust head; great carbonation action; dark ruddy copper color
S: very enticing malt, booze, and caramel; classic scotch ale aroma
T: smooth, seductive, deeply alcoholic taste; once again, a classic rendition of a scotch ale; very sweet; strongly hopped; peat, caramel
M: viscous, with muscle

This is a good one.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2012 03:18:04 | More by Arithmeticus

DarkerTheBetter

Pennsylvania

3.2/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Looks pretty darn good, but I'm beginning to realize that's just one of the glories of the style. It's a beautiful, dark amber in the middle of my Leviathan glass that fades to orange highlights. The head is a thin collar of off-white sustained by a gentle rain of bubbles.

Smells of strawberry and distant molasses with the sandy dryness of peat. There's a touch of booze swirled in as well. Overall, it's surprisingly fruity.

Ack! The flavor starts out very dim and and smooth with a touch of fruity seltzer, but waves of peat and an entirely unsuited hop come in, confusing my palate. I'm not getting this at all. The aftertaste is the same, with two competing senses of bitter, hops and peat. Bleah. Either of the two alone would be nice, but together, they just compete. In the midst of all of this, there's a very solid and pleasingly sweet malt. If the hops were backed out of this, I suspect it would be quite remarkable. If I sip this one a bit quicker, the dissidence isn't so bad, but a bit of booze comes out.

Feels dense yet clean with a nice scrub of little bubbles. Nice. Considering this is 10.2%, the cleanness is much appreciated.

I think I may be being too picky with this one, but ultimately I'm just one enjoying it. And I had to get a 4-pack! If hoppy Scotch Ales are your thing, you may be in heaven here.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2012 17:34:29 | More by DarkerTheBetter

obrike

Texas

3.98/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

4 pack at Specs in Round Rock for about 10 bucks.

This one pours a dark copper with a decent head that disappears quickly...a little lacing, but nothing much...fairly pedestrian looking beer.

Getting a caramel, cinnamon-booze infused scent. Very rich. The burnt malt is apparent in this one...some bitter peat or tea as well. Smells pretty good.

Taste follows...pretty boozy, but a warming, rich flavor. Sweet as hell, but not cloying. The spices (i'm getting cinnamon quite a bit) and rich malt are pretty tasty. I'd like to drink this one during the colder months...really savor it. Almost more of a treat beer or dessert beer. I will more than likely buy it again in Nov or Dec, but a little too big and sweet for me in the heat of July in Texas.

Nice job on this one Harpoon.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2012 02:20:30 | More by obrike

twiggamortis420

Texas

3.7/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz plaid-clad fish bottle of the 2012 vintage pours a clear, light copper color with a small off-white head. Not much retention and lacing.

Nose is big, bold butterscotch, caramel and toffee. Lots of sweetness and pretty big alcohol.

Taste is better than the smell and appearance might indicate...maybe combined! The butterscotch flavors work well to soften the toffee and toasty aspects very nicely. The ABV is far more tame than I thought possible after the sniff test. Fairly sweet, and does not show some of the darker malt traits I typically like to see in a Scotch Ale...peat, smoke and even a bit of chocolate can be nice...but this beer is really tasty. This might be a good candidate for the cellar. Worth a purchase as most of the leviathan beers seem to be.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2012 23:00:11 | More by twiggamortis420

ksimons

New York

3.4/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A-a medium brown toffee color with some orange highlights and a thin layer of white head

S-rich sticky malt, raisins, toffee, and fruit like sweetness.

T-Similar to the smell but with more hops than I was expecting from the smell. Strong alcohol taste, a bit of a cough syrup aftertaste.

M-medium to full body, light to medium carbonation

Overall the beer started out promising but the taste seemed a bit off. Maybe its the peat? Doesn't seem to fit in with the sweetness of the beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2012 22:57:30 | More by ksimons

Brad007

Vermont

3.88/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a beautiful amber with a one-finger head into my glass. Great Scott, Marty, it's a wee heavy!

Sweet, smoked peat reminds me of walking through a bog at dawn.

Great Scott, this is too damn sweet! Well, not totally. A nice alcohol bite shows, followed by spice and peat.

Lingering sweet, smoky peat flavors coat the back of the mouth. A welcome compliment with a meat dish? Don't ask me!

Check it out!

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2012 23:28:37 | More by Brad007

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4.15/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle into NB globe. Pours a rouby toned brown with a bit of off-white head. Sweet malts and dreid fruit aromas, and typical scotch aromas.
Its a bit smoky, but sweet malts, caramel, and dried fruit notes. Nice sweet vanilla like aftertaste. Big alcohol nose but smooth.
Overall, a really great wee heavy; most likely one of my favs.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2012 01:48:25 | More by DrinkSlurm

hreb

Washington

2.98/5  rDev -22.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

4 pack of 12oz bottles; no date given. Beer pours reddish orange but surprisingly pale for a scotch ale. Aroma is phenolic and slightly sweet. Flavor is similarly fruity. As promised by the Leviathan series the flavors are really big here, and so is the ABV. There's no overpowering bitterness or chalkiness, just big scotch ale flavor profile. I don't get much smokiness or caramel, unfortunately.

Fans of this particular style of wee heavy may really like this, but I'm just not a huge fan.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2012 02:11:27 | More by hreb

PrimScrewhead

Rhode Island

4.6/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Malty, sweet, smokey & boozy. This is a great beer for the price and a fantastic representation of the style.

Beautiful deep amber in appearance.
Malt, sugar and alcohol is what you smell and malt, sugar and alcohol is what you taste. Finishes with a hint of smokey peat.

I liked this Wee Heavy offering over Dirty Bastard (it's OK at best) and Sam Adams (I liked that one more than most).
Maybe a push with Skull Splitter and Trinity Brewhouse's Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy

You can usually get a 4-pack for under $10. For a beer weighing in at 10.2%, that's almost unheard of.
Fantastic choice for your 2nd or 3rd beer of the evening, when you have settled in and need something to savor.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2012 20:05:19 | More by PrimScrewhead

Thads324

Connecticut

3.5/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a deep mahogany, thick light tan head dissipates quickly, decent lacing.
Aroma is super sweet, almost wheat wine like. No real hop present. Sugar, and the tiniest but of dusty smoke.
Taste starts well with a nice sweet sugar flavor. A peat flavor hits next that is a bit off putting. It's almost like sweaty skin when you kiss your wife's next in August. Next is the best part. Deep caramel and hearty rye bread. Complex and beautiful finish.
Very present alcohol and smooth creamy caramel finish. Little carbonation is spot on style wise.

Great beer sans the armpit like middle. I guess I just don't like peat. A bit high in alcohol even for a wee heavy but it's still very good. Would age very very nicely.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2012 02:40:31 | More by Thads324

jondeelee

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Great Scott opens rich and malty, the aromas drifting from the bottle heavy with caramel and brown sugar, with touches of vanilla. Rich, whole-grain rising bread dough brings earthiness, and a healthy does of orange, nectarine, and fig fruit esters adds lovely complexity. The nose also bears a slight smoky quality, like a wood burning stove full of pitchy pine smelled from afar, or peat moss. But sugars win out on the nose, providing a varied and compelling aroma that is especially heavy in fruits and candies, which play off the slight smokiness well.

On the tongue, the beer opens with a mimicry of this sweet smoky flavor, the sweets being quite sugary and providing caramel, brown sugar, orange, vanilla, and nectarine, as well as touches of cream and cherry/berry. The smokiness is quite subtle, but not so much that it’s overlooked, and adds a layer of peat. Crusty breads, rich yeasty dough, and floury baguette help offset the sugars, joined by just a touch of grapefruit and pine from the hops. The aftertaste is still heavy on sugars, but brings on a larger layer of smoke and grapefruit rind, slightly burning the soft palate. The high 10.2% ABV is slightly noticeable throughout the entire mouthful, but more so in the aftertaste, adding to the burn. Mouthfeel is a creamy medium, and carbonation is medium.

Overall, this is excellent fare, being full-bodied and finely nuanced, the craftsmanship immediately apparent in the complexity and variance of flavors. The sugars especially are delicious, providing a malty sweetness that more brewers would do well to take notice of. The high alcohol content does get slightly in the way, especially late in the mouthful, and the beer needed just a touch more bread flavors to keep pace with the sugars, but there aren’t many Wee Heavies on the market better than this.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2012 02:23:55 | More by jondeelee

diesel59

New York

4.7/5  rDev +22.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I am a big fan of the scotch ale style and I have to admit this stuff is right up there w/ Founders Backwoods Bastard... I am very impressed!!! I really don't know how they got all that flavor in there without a bunch of shit floating around...but they did... this is top shelf stuff and should be bought, hidden, hoarded, and enjoyed privatly as not to be shared w/anyone ... I think this is going to be a hot item... "STOCK UP!"

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2012 02:37:30 | More by diesel59

elgiacomo

Georgia

3.6/5  rDev -6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle, unknown date, but fresh release. Served at around 45F and allowed to warm through the review.

Pours clear red/copper with a small off-white head that quickly recedes to a wispy cap and ring, leaving some short-lived lacing behind.

Aroma features fruit such as apples and pears, some peaty smokiness, caramel, toffee, some herbal hops. Very good strength.

Flavor is also rather fruity with cherries, apples, pears, some peat, notes of toffee and molasses, moderate sweetness, mild bitterness, alcohol is there and the finish isn't the best...tastes kind of like watered-down Robitussin on the end.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied, pretty sticky, good carbonation.

Solid Wee-Heavy, but not great. The Robitussin-esque finish is keeping me from fully enjoying this one.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2012 02:46:35 | More by elgiacomo