Harpoon Summer Beer - Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall

Groomsy

Kentucky

3.51/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle poured into a Sam Adams glass. "Enjoy by" date of 07/15/13.

This Kolsch pours a familiar but welcoming straw golden and is topped by a 2-finger head of tight white bubbles. Leaving some admirable lace down the bottom of the glass, a steady stream of bubbles from the bottom of the glass keeps this summer seasonal looking alive. A classic appearance on this beer.

Harpoon Summer Beer has an aroma that will remind many of German and Czech pilsners (which, stylistically, isn't too far off from a kolsch - classic ale vs. lager debate). With a malty foundation of fresh grain aromas and some bready/biscuit notes, this beer is rather mild but also has a nice grassy/floral hop presence - smells like Saaz or maybe some other Noble hops. Also a slight lemon presence to this one. Well-balanced and, well, summery.

The taste starts out with a smooth grainy malt presence, leading into some lemon on the middle and a dry, slightly bitter finish with grassy/floral hop flavors. There is also a bread/biscuit flavor that emerges in the aftertaste as the finish dries out. A simple, balanced summer beer. Quaffable and enjoyable.

Summer Beer has a dry finish with lingering flavors from both the hops and the malt. Its light body and crisp carbonation contribute to its enjoyability.

While not my favorite summer seasonal, this is most definitely enjoyable and drinkable. If you're generally a pilsner drinker during the summer months and need a more "ale-ly" counterpart, check out Harpoon Summer Beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 00:36:54 | More by Groomsy

kshizzle101

Washington

3.58/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle to a pint glass

A - clear yellow-gold in color. 2 inch white head with good retention for this style.

S - grains, lemon, sweet malts, grassy

T - sweet malts, a grassy flavor, slight lemon hint, but not as much as the smell

M - light bodied, good carb. as it should be

Overall - lacks the taste that I would prefer from a beer like this. the notes are good, but need some punch behind them. I know that this beer should not be oozing with flavor, but you can do better than this. Still, not a bad beer, worth a go.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2013 02:23:21 | More by kshizzle101

socon67

New York

3.54/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

A - Golden pour with active foam and carbonation. Foam retention is solid.

S - Some smells of fresh biscuits, and hearty grains. Slight musky scent comes from the beer.

T - Dry finish, mild hop profile, and some earthy spice notes.

M - Dry feel, light body, and easily drinkable. Some carbonation.

O - Not my preference for a summer seasonal, but it is a pretty good representation of the style.

Serving type: can

04-21-2013 21:27:46 | More by socon67

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.73/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Tasted at the Harpoon Brewery in Boston. I like that it was served in a traditional Kölsch glass.

Pretty yellow gold. The head is modest and settles quickly. It leaves ample string lace on the glass.

The smell is more hoppy than I expected. Very dry.

The taste mirrors the smell. Less soft and more astringent than a traditional Kölsch. Higher hop bitterness. Good body and carbonation.

Serving type: on-tap

03-30-2013 15:29:43 | More by smcolw

superspak

Michigan

3.68/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle into pint glass, best before 8/19/2012. Pours a lightly cloudy golden straw color with a nice 1-2 finger fluffy white head with nice retention, that reduces to a good cap that lingers. Spotty foamy lacing clings down the glass. Aromas of pear, bread, lemon, cracker, herbal, grass, floral, light pepper, and earthy spiciness. Nice and pleasant aromas with good balance, but they are quite muted. Taste of lemon zest, pear, bread, cracker, herbal, floral, grass, light pepper, and earthy spiciness. Light spicy bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of pear, lemon, bread, herbal, grass, and pepper on the finish for a short bit. Nice balance of flavors, with a good malt/hop balance; a touch watered down; zero cloying flavors after the finish as expected. Medium carbonation and body; with a very smooth and crisp mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with hardly any warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a nice kolsch. Nice flavor balance and very smooth to drink. A pleasantly enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 05:54:42 | More by superspak

Arithmeticus

Maryland

3.03/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured chilled in ale glass

A: amazing carbonation; frantic head; beautiful dark yellow color--clear
S: almost nothing except a faint benign malt aroma
T: Very average-tasting kolsch; flavor is subdued, but a good balance between malt and hops; little bit of angry bite at the end of the swig

Overall a nondescript, benign beer

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2012 01:10:41 | More by Arithmeticus

chefhatt

Pennsylvania

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

When i poured this beer, it has a golden color body with a small head that quickly dissapeared. The smell of lemon with some malt to it, not very strong though. The taste has a faint lemon taste upfront followed by a nice peppery flavor on the back of the tongue. The mouthfeel is very nice and smooth, not to overly carbonated, over all this is a average Kolsch, but a nice and easy drinking one.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2012 02:20:31 | More by chefhatt

DefenCorps

Oregon

3.53/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks for the tick, Chris.

A crystal clear light yellow with a dense, white head that falls off rather quickly. The nose is rather nondescript but entirely serviceable. Light doughy malt, mild lemony hops, maybe a touch of fruity yeast character? While all the right flavor notes are present, this just doesn't have the right combination. This is mirrored on the palate, where the same flavors but the same lack of definition is present, along with a faint buttery note. Light in body, crisply carbonated and dry and refreshing on the finish, this beer is nice, worthy even, but not all that it could be. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2012 02:28:45 | More by DefenCorps

SouljaSaia17

Massachusetts

3.93/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: This beer pours a light, golden color with a 1/2 inch foamy white head. The appearance looks like an adjunct lager to me.

S: Smell gives off some lemon grass type notes on the top with a hint of honey and coriander on the back end.

T: Taste is a lot like the smell with lemon-grass at the front, with honey and coriander that follows.

M: Very light German Kolsch style beer, with lots of carbonation.

O: An enjoyable beer that is a make up of the German style Kolsch. More flavorful than a lot of summer beers I have had. Harpoon is something special out of Boston and comes out with a quality beer every time!

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2012 04:20:07 | More by SouljaSaia17

Dools9

Massachusetts

3.58/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a pint glass.

A: Golden yellow, produced a finger of white head that receded after a few minutes to a skim, left some patchy lacing. Lots of visible carbonation.

S: Light lemon and grassy aromas mixed with some mild sweet crackey malt.

T: Bisciuty grainy pale malts, slightly fruity, mild hop bitterness, a bit grassy and theres some light floral notes.

M: Light to medium bodied, crisp and refreshing. Goes down nicely in the sun.

O: Not a bad summer seasonal, very easy drinking and makes for a good beer to pair with hot weather and bbq.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2012 03:01:17 | More by Dools9

divineaudio

Michigan

3.03/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

12oz into a stange.

a - pours a transparent golden shade with a finger's worth of coarse, off white foam. head dies down fast and leaves a thin film and a few small spots of lacing.

s - crackers, lemon, grass, faint sour apple.

t - crackery or lightly toasted malt with strong, lighter fruity notes, mainly lemon. has a peppery spiciness in the middle with a pronounced herbal bitterness at the end. finishes very dry.

m - lighter side of medium with medium carbonation. coarser co2 profile.

o - goes down easy, but i have definitely had more enjoyable examples of the style. will pass on this in the future.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2012 21:38:28 | More by divineaudio

dexterk1

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance was fairly typical of a summer beer. Light, golden color with some mild haze.
Odor has slight lemon and fruit. Also yeasty.
Taste carries some lemon as well as fruitiness. Some biscuit and malt present as well. Mouth feel is fairly crisp and refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2012 13:31:03 | More by dexterk1

mhtrac12

Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a 12 oz bottle into a pilsner glass.

A: pale gold and a bit hazy. Looks a bit heavier then a macro but nothing too special.

S: very crisp, some notes of lemon and wheat. Really pleasant smell, not too overwhelming. Smells like a summer beer to me.

T: incredibly refreshing from the first to last sip. On the front end there is definitely a hint of wheat, and a sweeter zing of lemon to boot. Back has a little yeast kick to it, but overall it is very clean and refreshing.

M: medium/light mouthfeel with good carbonation. Which is perfect for this kind of beer.

O: from the first time I tried the Harpoon Summer Beer this summer, it is one of my favorite "summer" styles to drink. It has a great balance between complex and interesting taste and that refreshing kick that we all love on a hot day. Just a great beer to session during these absurdly hot summer days.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2012 01:46:28 | More by mhtrac12

Jamesthebrit

Michigan

3.73/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Yellow bubbly. little head. Looks like a macro.

S: a little yeast a little fruit. Not bad but not mind blowing. Pretty good for a "summer" beer.

T: It's actually pretty good. Theres a little fruitness. A good yeasty finish.

M: Medium light body sits with good carbonation.

Overall a pretty good beer. There's a fruity lemony aspect to this beer that sets it a bit above the average "summer beer". Worth checking out if you want something light.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2012 15:55:42 | More by Jamesthebrit

Jwale73

Rhode Island

4.03/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12oz. can served in a standard pint. Pours a bright, straw gold with a translucent clarity and a one inch, bright white head that slowly recedes into a solid, soapy slick. Some thin clusters of lacing are evident during the tasting. Nose is very clean - just the merest suggestion of wheat and citrus. Taste reveals light toasted wheat, mild citrus notes and a slight buttery quality that nicely intermingles before culminating in a fairly clean finish. Mouthfeel is light in body with a an even carbonation that adds just a little additional depth to the consistency. Overall, I know this may not be the best, most style consistent Kolsch out there, but I love this beer in the summer and really think the canned version is far superior to the bottle. This is one of my summer staples.

Serving type: can

07-04-2012 18:12:47 | More by Jwale73

BigPlay1824

New York

3.78/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed in a pilsner glass

A: pours a very clear light hay color with a nice amount of carbonation bubbles working their way through the brew, pours with ample head which is pure white and very fizzy with small bubbles, lingers nicely before dissipating and leaving a small amount of lacing
S: nice light lemon zest scent but not much else, pretty typical given the style
T: nice lemon notes hit in the middle along with a bit of a flowery taste which lingers on the palate nicely afterwards, the beginning is a little hard to place but id put it as possibly earthy water, idk
M: fizzy carbonation up front, leaves the mouth feeling like there are tiny little bubbles all over the palate and also slightly dry
O: one of my absolute favorite summer brews especially out of the can, it really just screams summer to me, infinitely sessionable and delicious

Serving type: can

06-27-2012 02:02:17 | More by BigPlay1824

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Harpoon Brewery : Summer Beer
Style: Kölsch
ABV: 5.50 %

LOOK: Bright gold and exhibiting fine clarity, this kolsch from the Harpoon brewery looks like a solid example of the style. Soapy froth forms and leaves plenty of lace on the glass.

SMELL: Bready malts, crackers, straw, and some grassy/floral hop notes.

TASTE/FEEL: Light bodied and quite refreshing, with a crisp and slightly dry feel. Biscuity flavor from the pale malts and a clean muted fruit notes from the lager yeast. Understated yet firm hoppyness with herbal, floral and earthy character and a small bitterness.

OVERALL: This is a very solid summer beer from Harpoon, perfect for the hot summer days and drinking in mass quantities. Mellow, easy drinking beer, and would go just fine with steak and shrimp fajitas.

Serving type: on-tap

06-26-2012 14:55:47 | More by Stinkypuss

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pale gold color with sea foam head, slathering down the glass. 3.5

Dusky pale malts and lemony hops. Biscuity. Touch of fruity ale yeast steals from lager-like characters in the aroma. 3.0

Nice throaty hoppiness separates this beer from falling to close to the American Blonde category. Simple malt flavors and dashing spice notes aren't enough to keep me interested until lemon/citric hops burst on the tongue and cleanse the palate. Lemony finish works well. 3.5

Bright carb and a dry light body. Pretty much what you look for in a kolsch. 4.0

Nice little summer beer. Harpoon Summer Kolsch, I'll remember you for next year. 4.0

Serving type: on-tap

06-24-2012 04:53:42 | More by thecheapies

mvanaskie13

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a standard pint glass, color is straw, head is bright white with some nice lacing. A little too clear, maybe.

Smell is grains, light wheat hint of hop bitterness.

Taste is pretty clean, neutral, pils and wheat malts but not sweet, hops are more present in the taste with a solid crisp flavor and hints of lemon.

Mouthfeel is crisp, nice carbonation, very easy drinking.

Overall, very solid brew, perfect summer ale - glad we had it for tailgating.

Serving type: can

06-19-2012 00:12:51 | More by mvanaskie13

BostonHops

Massachusetts

3.43/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle served in a SA 'perfect pint' glass.

pours a clear, light golden-yellow while yielding a 1" frothy head. decent retention and a bit of patchy lacing. not a bad looking summer brew. nose is on the subtle side... primarily grainy/malty with a touch of lemon. not bad by any means, just sort of average.

taste is a mild improvement, but more of the same, flavor-wise: grainy/malty/lemony. secondary notes of herbal, maybe floral hops. light and lively on the palate. overall a decent summer drinker; inoffensive and refreshing, but won't overwhelm you with flavor.

(originally reviewed: 06-28-2011)

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2012 06:28:02 | More by BostonHops

tdm168

North Carolina

4.08/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - copper with a thin layer of loose, bubbly, white head that has good retention. Noticeable carbonation bubbles coming to the top.

S - musty, grassy, faint lemon

T - grassy, faint lemon, faintly bitter, mildly malty

M - crisp, medium bodied, smooth, well carbonated

This is a very refreshing, easy drinking, clean, crisp, summer beer. It's a well brewed Kolsch that drinks nicely on these hot summer days. I'll definitely have another.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2012 21:34:29 | More by tdm168

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I picked this up at Giant in York, enjoyed chilled from a stange.

The color is deep golden with great clarity and thick white foam measuring about 2 fingers with tight bead and carbonation is visiblel in solution. the smell is nice with lots of malt aroma combined with subtle herbal/floral hops and a mild yeast element which comes off as a golden pear ester. The feel which is spicier than I imagined is very good, spicy up front with light ting of malt sweetness shifts toward creamy body with moderate carbonation and subtle yeasty fruitiness in the finish with relatively dry crisp essence.

The flavor is very refreshing and balanced in the best way possible. The taste has a nice floral hop which is almost tea-like in the foreground with slight toasted malt presence with some gentle sweet elements that move more toward yeast flavors which seem like light grape or golden pear in the finish with some of the herbal hops and spice flavors lingering after the swallow. This is a good beer to call Summer beer, it is interesting, flavorful and quaffable, yet not an ideal Kolsch in the traditional sense. It is a very good American interpretation of the style. I will certainly have to find this on tap sometime soon.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2012 16:51:16 | More by Slatetank

JohnFatAss

New Jersey

4.2/5  rDev +17%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A very clear, bright & cheerful golden colored beer.
When poured into my glass it formed a foamy white head. And left behind some delicate lacing.

This a light easy drinking beer. Refreshing and easy to drink.

Nice flavor with mild hop bitterness in the finish.

A perfect summer beer for a hot summer day!

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2012 02:06:53 | More by JohnFatAss

mactrail

California

3.18/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Golden color in the wine goblet. Decent foam and sprightly carbonation. Beery aroma with a malty, citrusy note.

Faint lemon tang. A hint of malt but more of a subdued Pilsener-like hop flavor. Slightly Kölsch-like with its faint aromatics. I would call it an American Blonde. Clean and crisp for a few sips. Seems a little sweet and flaccid after a while, but by that time the hoppy bitterness makes an appearance. Not a bad quaff, but it's not much of a Kölsch. Maybe call it an American-style Kölsch, and for that it's a pretty decent light lager.

From the 12 oz bottle purchased at Trader Joe's in Washington, DC.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2012 02:03:06 | More by mactrail

keithmurray

Louisiana

3.48/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

appearance - bright golden color with ample white head

smell - grassy, faint citrus/lemon rind, wheat

taste - citrus upfront, lemon rind, wheat

mouthfeel - slightly sweet upfront and in the body, slight bitterness on the finish, smooth, light bodied, good carbonation

overall - pretty good beverage that would be perfect for a backyard BBQ, would also be a good gateway beer for macro drinkers to switch to

Price Point - $8.59/6pk

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2012 01:42:59 | More by keithmurray