Harpoon IPA - Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall

mcallister

Ohio

4/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Impressive burnt orange color with an overly frothy half inch head. Smell of fresh hops and sweet pine.

Extremely smooth mouthfeel. Deliciously complex hop and malt balance. Fresh pine tree and cut grass aromas. A typical IPA.

Drinkable as hell. Thank you Nicholson's for the cask.

Serving type: cask

04-15-2006 23:13:55 | More by mcallister

dbalsock

Vermont

3.25/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

appearance: light amber, gives reminders of a nice sunset. clean white head that compliments the color of the beer itself. very enticing.

smell: quite flowery. the hops definitely control the smell, but as it warms it smells sweeter and sweeter.

taste: kinda plain and standard for an ipa. nothing really jumped out at me, except the flowery taste that easily relates to the smell. it also got sweeter as it warmed, but not quite as intensly as the smell. kinda plain, nothing bad about it, but nothing exceptional either.

mouthfeel: nice bitterness from the hops, and it thinly coats the palate like expected/wanted.

drinkability: gets better as it warms, and starts out pretty average.

Serving type: cask

02-08-2006 00:52:22 | More by dbalsock

OldFrothingSlosh

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Sampled at the AOBF 5/24/03.

Pale amber in appearance. Silky smooth off-white lace coats the glass. Aromas are much softer than the bottled version. A slight citrus and earthy mix. The taste is so very smooth. Given that this is my first cask-conditioned beer, I really didn't know what to expect. Man! Was I impressed! When I'd originally reviewed this beer, I noted how well-balanced it was, from a hoppy bitterness:malty sweetness ratio. The very same holds true with this version of the IPA. Everything just seems to have been toned down and mellowed. Mouthfeel and drinkability were fantastic. The differences in this beer from the cask and bottle are striking. A great way to start off the AOBF.

Serving type: cask

05-27-2003 04:45:37 | More by OldFrothingSlosh

dar482

New York

3.16/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

I had it straight from the bottle.

The flavor doesn't on spot for me for an IPA. It lacks generous hopping and a bitter tight finish. Instead it has big malt for a beer of the style. The mouthfeel is quite creamy.

In the end, it's a bit too mellow and middle of the road for me.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 22:13:31 | More by dar482

Zraly

Virginia

3.94/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pour a nice medium golden color with a two-finger white head. Nice floral notes upfront.

Clean, floral and citrus hop flavors resting on a sturdy malt backbone. Very well balanced and well made. Crisp and clean, finishes dry. Medium bodied. Carbonation is appropriate. It's not the latest and greatest, but it has been around since the 90s. I think that says something about the quality and consistency.

A nice, solid, easy-drinking IPA. I could drink several of these and not get tired; sessionable for sure. A great all-purpose beer for chicken, fish, and Indian dishes -- I'd love to have a dish with mango with this as I think the contrast would be nice.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 21:40:15 | More by Zraly

Eeroomnhoj

Virginia

3.55/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I don't have a fancy beer glass so I am drinking it straight from the bottle while listening to Richie Havens. The beer is a little but I think that is a good thing. I could drink more than one of these as they have a good flavor, not too strong and not too weak (a la Coors Light).

Unfortunately my Brother in Law is coming into town so I should probably hide the rest of the case before Friday.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 01:45:11 | More by Eeroomnhoj

CorvetteMike

Rhode Island

4.25/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

First introduced to this IPA at Brewery in VT. Sampled many Harpoon beers at tasting, and this is my favorite. Enjoyed this brew for many years.

a: Typical amber color
s: Citrus, and slight hop smell
t: Smooth taste, my favorite IPA
m: Medium body with slight citrus after taste
o: Favorite Eastcoast IPA

Will be visiting Harpoon Brewery in Boston soon.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2013 15:43:05 | More by CorvetteMike

M_C_Hampton

Georgia

3.53/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a nonic pint glass, honey amber colored with a large white head that dissipates leaving some lacing, clear

S: piney peppery hops, slight malt, citrus

T: nice grapefruit flavor that fades into pine, dry throughout, bitter finish

M: medium body with good carbonation

O: nice IPA with a crisp finish, refreshing and light

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 01:30:25 | More by M_C_Hampton

NiceTaps

New Jersey

3.74/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

On tap in a pint glass.

A- It was a very bright and light, clean looking golden color, some orange hues. The pure white 1-plus finger head faded to athin film leaving fat rings of lacing.

S- Citrus hop aromas just slightly outpace the maltiness. Very laid-back.

T- Hoppy, but on the lighter side of the floral and citrus flavors. Some maltiness and caramel.

M- Quite some carbonation, but again, lighter than I would have expected. The hops have little zest and finish. A bit of alcohol.

O- Not great but enough flavor, tang, and drinkability to make me go back to it.

Serving type: on-tap

03-24-2013 21:24:38 | More by NiceTaps

Burkbom23

Connecticut

3.65/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Pours clear light copper in color, thin white head. Small amount of lacing that didnt have a lot of staying power.bubbly with good amount of carbination. Light hoppy aroma with a hint of citrus. Not extremely aromatic. Taste stars with sweetness of malt with a good balance of hops to even it out. Not very hoppy for an IPA. Finishes with slight bitterness and leaves taste in your mouth wanting more. Light medium body. Overall smooth and refreshing, a good introduction to the style. Could be a good session beer for me.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 13:53:32 | More by Burkbom23

alexgash

Connecticut

3.71/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

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

Clear and clean medium copper body. Bright orange highlights. Small, gauzy, off-white head. Not much lacing. Fruity malt aromas peppered with spicy, piny hops. A little cookie. Smells of good balance and reminds me of a 90s American IPA (not necessarily a bad thing, mind you).

Toasted malt and herbal hop bitterness up front. Mix of fruit and caramel malt fill in. Slight sweetness. Hop flavors and bitterness pick up toward the finish. Herbal, spicy, and a little piny. Drier in the finish, but with plenty of lingering maltiness. Again, well-balanced, but hoppy enough to merit the IPA badge. Moderate body with a prickly feel.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 23:38:13 | More by alexgash

CapH

New York

3.09/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.25

A- Light amber, almost dark golden color. Nice head eroding to crisp ring.

S- Astringent malt followed by slight hop bitterness.

T- Fruity malty frontline followed by bitter hop tones in the back.

M- Crisp almost light mouthfeel. Not much body, high effervescence.

O- A solid IPA. More traditional English style than true American. Not bad at all. Nice drinking, enjoyable beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 22:02:42 | More by CapH

FosterJM

California

3.68/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

1737th Review on BA
Draft to 22oz Mug

@Dallas Fort Worth Airport

App- A very dark orange with a bit of a golden hue and maybe a touch of browns. Only a small 1/4" of bubbles due to a fuller pour. The head was a bit of an off white that fell quickly. Nice falling cling lines.

Smell- The english hops and malt combo come full force on this one. The malts create the base and then the hops add a certain tinge of a malty, orange pulp, butterscotch aroma.

Taste- Well I had this on my wants and I think for a good reason. This is a good example of an english IPA. Having more than the simple American Hop bill, lent this to be a bit more malty with and a simple english bitter like flavor. The aroma also brought its characteristics to the taste with a small orange, butterscotch flavor. A bit of a earthy flavor blends it all together.

Mouth- A small medium body with a stronger medium carbonation. A strong malt flavor comes out on the residual flavors with that english malt bill and a small bitter. More of that butterscotch flavor comes out.

Drink- This was pretty good. It was new and an english IPA. Something different and flavorful to sip on at that airport. Glad I could check this off my wants.

Serving type: on-tap

02-18-2013 00:39:29 | More by FosterJM

Goldopelgt

Ohio

3.81/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A: Poured, from bottle, into my Duvel tulip (c'mon, give me a break, it was the only clean one!)...Deep amber hue, with a frothy white-ish head...Decent lacing on the glass

S: Some citrus hops upfront, with a good amount of toasted malt too...

T: Hop presence throughout, but not over powering...Slight heat of alcohol...Buscuit and hops linger on the palate...

M: Crisp, not overly carbonated...nothing to complain about here

D: A decent brew, wouldn't complain about revisiting this IPA, but, being somewhat of a hop-head, I kinda wish there was more of a hop presence...Really, just splitting hairs at this point, definitely worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2013 22:53:24 | More by Goldopelgt

bottle

3.11/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Characteristics: low carbonation, slightly hoppy, medium sweet (sweet aftertaste), very dry. No really dominating/characteristic taste, very balanced and average.

Overall a average IPA, not outstanding but not bad either, something you can have in the fridge.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2013 00:28:40 | More by bottle

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Harpoon IPA is pretty light for an IPA. It's more the color of golden amber. It has a small head and lightly carbonated.
Aroma are light too, with husky malts and minimal hops.
Taste bring backs those same husky malts with some bready or grain notes and not much way as far as hops are concerned.
Rough on the palette.
All in all drinks like a chain restaraunt IPA, solid but bland.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 16:04:54 | More by micromaniac129

EORS

Maryland

3.76/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Appearance: Golden with almost no head (what little there was was pale) and very minimal carbonation.

Smell: Herbal hops right out of the gate, with some honey/caramel/raisin sweetness as the beer warms up

Taste: Lingering bitterness balanced well by the malt body - a hint of citrus but mostly more of that herbal hop.

Mouthfeel: Light, would be crisp if there was more carbonation.

Overall: Don't know if the bottle that I had was a little flat, but a very drinkable beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2013 22:43:03 | More by EORS

scottbrew4u

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Drank this so many times and am realizing now I have never reviewed this one.
A: Pours into pint glass a clear, orange-light amber color with a frothy half-inch head that settles nice and slow.

S: Hops up front with pine, tangerine, red grapefruit, and light floral notes. Soft sweetness from crystal malts with light caramel and doughy aromas.

T: Nice balance of pine and citrus hops and a semi sweet caramel, fresh bread and light roasted grains. It is easy on the palate with not much of an alcohol presence.

M: Crisp carbonation on a medium body with a dry finish.

O: This beer is a great easy drinking IPA that can satisfy a hop lover and also introduce a newbie to the IPA style. It is good any time of year and with just about any food. Try and enjoy!

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 01:47:06 | More by scottbrew4u

Davidjames321

5/5  rDev +37.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is the first time I tried the IPA, and it is one of the best I have tried. The taste is very smooth and goes very well with the smell. I think this might be my new favorite beer company.

From the label I would have not thought to try it, but I do know most IPA's are good. However this one has a perfect balance of taste, smell and feel. I will surely try it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 20:23:56 | More by Davidjames321

mfnmbvp

Illinois

3.05/5  rDev -16%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12 oz. bottle, says to enjoy by 02/15/2013. Poured into a Boulevard tulip.

A - Pours a clear copper color with one finger of head that disappears quickly. Steady column of bubbles rushing up to the top.

S - Malty and lightly hoppy. Smells hoppier than it actually is, if you ask me.

T - Taste is way more malty than it is hoppy, which is kind of disappointing. It is well-balanced, but I definitely wish it was more bitter and hoppy. Has a vague apple cider taste to it also, which is kind of strange.

M - A nicely bodied beer, with a nice resinous mouthfeel, and the lingering taste of green apple.

Overall, it's not a bad beer, but I like my IPA's to be ridiculously hoppy, and this beer disappoints in that arena. Nicely bodied, and tasty nonetheless, but as an example of the style it is a little bland. Solid 5.90% abv, and I got this 6 pack on sale for $5.99 so I guess I can't complain.

Harpoon IPA ---3/5.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2013 02:51:40 | More by mfnmbvp

rangerred

Tennessee

3.35/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle into a pint glass.

Pours a clear straw yellow with a smallish white head.

Strong pine in the aroma along with a little bit of light citrus. Some pale malt sneaking in there as well.

More pine and citrus in the flavor along with light bread. Some lighter caramel notes and biscuit along with a moderate bitterness. A nice balance between malt and hops. Mouthfeel is quite clean finishing a little sticky.

Overall, an extremely average but tasty IPA. Really I think this should be classified as an APA as it really doesn't quite make it to the IPA threshold.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2013 16:00:28 | More by rangerred

BottleOfPills

West Virginia

3.55/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

My serving type was a bottle poured into a Pilsner Flute.

My appearance was a quick forming one half inch head that quickly diminished. (I can relate to that). But a constant flow of carbonation was can be seen in the darkened amber fluid. I would say the color reminds me of a cherry stain or something lighter. (3.5)

Smell - if you've followed my other reviews, well you know that the smell of burnt hops is not something I write home to mom about, but this beer isn't over powering and in my opinion is quite light in hoppiness odor. (3.5)

However that "quite light in hoppiness" would not describe the taste as the hops come through in spades! Not over powering to me. I don't taste many of the florals that others have described, but that's typically not the way I describe things anyway. The taste is strong, but not over powering by any stretch. I could enjoy this with a steak. (3.5)

Now this beer is crisp in the mouth, and you know that makes a high score for me. 4.. I like. It tingles and cracks, and goes down easy.

Overall I got to go with 3.5 - it's better than I expected, and will buy again, maybe I'll aquire a more filling taste for it, maybe I haven't paired it with a great food. Not sure, but it is a good beer and I will definitly have again.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 00:46:23 | More by BottleOfPills

Maxwell

Massachusetts

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

The beer pours a very clean golden color, bordering on amber, and displaying light pinkish tints. The beers body is very translucent and particle free, but the head is tiny and nearly nonexistent, which is too bad. What bubbles do appear, appear to from a small scrim-ring around the glass and are an eggshell white. The lacing on the sides of the glass is spotty and quite slick, only staying briefly before they return to the beer. On the nose, the beer smells of grassy and hay-like hops with a good sweet and slightly stale bread malt base and a light citrus touch. On the tongue, the beer tastes bitter with a great malty sweet playing alongside of it, but never fully meshing with the bitters. The beer begins with light caramel sweets and a faint bitter bite before the bitters open into a nice little punch with very slight citrus, grass, and hay notes. As the beer rounds out the bready malts build in the mouth to play alongside the bitters, and in the finish there is still a great bitter tingle with a fading sense of the bready sweet malts. Just as the beer drops down the throat there is very quick emanation of cereal malts, which quickly returns to the bready sweet aftertaste. On the mouth, the beer feels thin to medium in body, with a little tingle of fierceness from the carbonation, and a big bitter bite on the tongue. The mouth is left clean but for some slight saliva on the edges of the mouth and a bitter tingle in the tongue. Overall, this is a solid middle of the road IPA. It has a little more of a bitter bite than a true English IPA, but not nearly enough pine or citrus to be considered an American IPA. I think this is a terrific introduction to the world of hops and IPA’s, and definitely a recommendation for anyone trying to slowly convert someone else to the hops. The malts and bitters work beautifully side-by-side, but never quite mesh, which isn’t entirely bad. A great intro IPA, and a good beer that can be found outside of craft beer bars.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 19:50:39 | More by Maxwell

Skeeter206

Massachusetts

3.73/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

A ~ A dark golden color with noticeable carbonation and about a half finger head, has a pretty decent lacing. 3.5/5

S ~ Nothing overpowering in the smell of this, sweet fruit maybe oranges, a barely noticeable hop presence in the smell. It might be that I'm a little congested right now but there isn't a whole lot going on in the smell. 3/5

T ~ Well you can definitely taste the hops if you couldn't smell them, nothing over powering but definitely a presence... about average for an IPA in regards to bitterness and taste coming from the hops. Definitely a little bit of caramel in there, pretty good balance. 4/5

M ~ The beer is definitely carbonated, but not in a bad way. Solid feel to it, its goes down easy, an easy beer to drink multiple of. 4.5/5

O ~ This is my go to beer, it isn't an overpowering IPA, with flavor or ABV. It is a good IPA that is available almost anywhere in MA, and on tap at almost every bar. If i feel like having an IPA I can always grab this, it is also generally cheap at bars around Boston if you are on a budget. B-

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 01:59:28 | More by Skeeter206

Bitter_Echo

Michigan

3.45/5  rDev -5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I'm not sure how fresh this is, but pours a dark yellow without any real orange accents. Smells sweet malt and grain and some floral notes, but not strongly hop-forward for an IPA. Tastes sweet and bready and malty and a bit bitter, but again, not really positioned strongly for an IPA...more ale-like here. Fouthfeel is strongly fussy effervescent and really good. Overall, a just good IPA. Would like to try one fresh out of production for comparison.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 00:30:33 | More by Bitter_Echo