Harpoon IPA - Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall

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

BeerDawgs

Georgia

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

A 12 oz bottle with a drink by date of 11/15/12. Bummer. Bought on 12/5/12. Guess this one is not fresh

A - A clear copper, with 1/2 a finger of head, and a little bit of lace left on the glass. Standard for an IPA, but not over the top. Looks filtered. I like them unfiltered

S - Citrus, fruit hop aromas. Not a hop I really recognize though?

T - Interesting. Citrus hops. Needs more balance, a little bitterness.

M - Light bodied, medium carbonation.

O - An average to below average IPA. Was hoping for more, since it is in about every store these days.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 01:41:42 | More by BeerDawgs

nUgZ

North Carolina

3.88/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle poured into a pint glass.

A: Pours a clear golden color with a 1 finger head and nice lacing.

S: Some hops and malts, but mostly I just smell some dank weed.

T: Grassy and somewhat hoppy flavor with a nice malt balance.

M: Light to medium bodied with good carbonation.

O: Not a hop bomb by any means, but easy to drink and enjoyable. I'm not usually big on less hoppy IPA's, but this is a pretty good beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 02:47:10 | More by nUgZ

AmitC

Indiana

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

One of the worst IPAs i have had. I was expecting something decent.

Poured into a snifter. Thin layered off white head. Golden amber, extremely clear appearance. Large number of bubbles. Just adequate lacing.

Smell : I do not even want to comment. You have to literally search for hops. Very mild for an IPA. So much so that it difficult to decipher what type of hops are used. Slight malt presence.

Taste: Bland. Very little bitterness. Slightly sweet. Some herbal presence. Mild hop bitterness.

Mouth feel: Light to somewhat medium feel. Body is very toned down. High on carbonation and appears and feels fizzy.

Bad evening. Disappointing.

Style Rate: 3
Personal Rate: 3

Hop lovers avoid this brew.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 22:56:53 | More by AmitC

ColdWaffles

Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a Sam Adams Signature Pint Glass.

Appearance: Small, off-white head, dissipates in about a minute. Shame, because it is rather pleasant. Leaves a lacing on the glass. Nice clear amber color.

Smell: Barely there, slightly grassy.

Taste: Evident hop flavor, but not particularly strong. Kind of grassy flavor overall. Slight sweetness in the aftertaste. Crisp flavor, with ideal carbonation. An enjoyable beer.

Mouthfeel: Pretty light for the style. Carbonation is ideal.

Overall: Not a particularly strong IPA. This would be an ideal session IPA given that it doesn't have a particularly high ABV and is pretty easy to knock back. Given that context, I like it a lot.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2012 00:18:13 | More by ColdWaffles

cyclonece09

Virginia

4.03/5  rDev +11%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a 14 oz "pint" glass. Pours a nice red yellow, a little cloudy with a small white head that leaves a little lacing in the glass. Nice aroma of floral and citrus hops, very nice combination. Tastes of malt with piney and earthy hops, nice bite. Beer seems a tad bit fizzy but still finishes nice. Overall a very good beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2012 01:10:19 | More by cyclonece09

nukem5

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a clear golden color with nice foamy cap. When head is gone the lacing clings to the wall of glass.

S: Aroma is of earthy hops and malts.

T: Taste is of malts and then hops, almost a touch of honey inside.

M: Mouthfeel is of medium body and a good amount of carbonation. .

O: Overall a great solid beer with a nice drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 23:17:14 | More by nukem5

BEERMILER12

Maine

3.78/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Best By 12/19/12

A: Pours a golden color with a fingers worth of head that dissipates quickly

S: Floral hops jump out along with pale malts and some breadiness in the back

T: Again, very floral hops jump out along with a nice bready malt backbone to help balance things out. Alcohol unnoticeable, which isn't actually all that surprising given the 5.9%

M: Medium bodied with low-moderate carbonation. Soft and inviting

O: A good middle-of-the-road IPA that has a distinct floral hoppiness and a good malt backing. Nothing too special, but certainly a good sessionable IPA given the abv. A good intro to the style

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2012 21:25:45 | More by BEERMILER12

GossageBrewery

Missouri

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

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. This AIPA poured a light copper color, very clear, produced a very nice white head, great retention and excellent lacing. The aroma of this ale contained malted grain and an explosion of citric hops. Very Nice! Medium in body, this AIPA had a foundation of malted grain, bitter citric hops. Crisp refreshing beer. Excellent session beer, first beer that I have tried from Harpoon, impressed!

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2012 22:01:43 | More by GossageBrewery

phpfunk

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -17.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Just an overall average IPA, nothing special IMO. It needs more kick personally but I am a fan of really hoppy IPAs. Their Rye IPA is better than this standard run-of-the-mill IPA.

If you want a good starter IPA to get used to a bit of bitterness I think this would be a good one to go with. Unfortunately for me, I probably would never buy this again. There are plenty of better IPAs out there for the price.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2012 00:38:35 | More by phpfunk

patpbr

Ohio

3.28/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- light color with about an inch of head
S- not a lot there, grapefruit.
T- grapefruit, a bit sweet and hops, floral.
M- carbonation and hops that leave a full body that was a little soapy.
O- good middle of the road ipa not to much of anything. Hops

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2012 02:08:58 | More by patpbr

chickenflea

Florida

3.75/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

The beer pours a pale golden color with a small head that fades quickly to a film. Good lacing. The aroma is good, but not outstanding. Hops are have a floral aroma. Not sure what kind of hops are used, but the aroma does not seem to match the taste. The beer has a fruity sweetness. Bitter, yes, but not overly bitter and certainly not raspy like some of the continental hops. The combination is unique. Flavor is soft and pillowy compared to a lot of American IPAs. I like it, but it is certainly not typical. This makes the second IPA this week I have tried with unconventional taste/aroma. The other was Great Divide . The beer is immensely drinkable. Accessible for those just getting to know IPAs; but different enough to be interesting to the initiated. The texture is medium. Lower carbonation keeps it soft in the mouth as well.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2012 22:46:47 | More by chickenflea

Mojo

Alabama

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

This is a nice offering. It pours a beautiful crystal clear gold with a 3 finger head leaving elaborate lacing. The smell is bread and grass. Mouthfeel is pretty good, not thick, not thin, but pretty average. Taste is some grapefruit and malts with a nice understated hoppy finish. This is a very drinkable IPA that with would be ideal as a session beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2012 03:09:23 | More by Mojo

angrybabboon

Rhode Island

3.58/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Consumed 8/25/12

Appearance: Mostly copper, with some light orange - very clear - little, white head, keeps a little ring and leaves some nice streaks of lacing

Smell: Mild - more or less smells like a tame APA - pale malts with some caramel - earthy and floral with some light citrus

Taste: A bit more bitter than the aroma would imply, which is a good thing - some light citrus, mostly orange and grapefruit peel, with herbal and floral notes - pale and caramel malts, earthy

Mouthfeel: On the light side of medium, nicely carbonated, smooth, definitely drinkable

Overall: A gateway IPA

I understand that using "modern" (2012) standards to judge this beer (apparently introduced in 1992) isn't entirely fair. The hoppiness of IPAs has increased quite substantially. As a result, this is basically an APA. I'm trying to adjust my score accordingly. Regardless, it's certainly not bad in any way, and is very drinkable. If it deserves any bonus points, it should get some for being a gateway beer to IPAs in general. It's mild enough that it may inspire some to further explore the style. A few years ago, this beer actually helped me on my path... to finding better IPAs.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2012 04:59:30 | More by angrybabboon

Chuggs

North Carolina

3.85/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This is a very good session beer. Bold taste; just make sure it is dated within the month of purchase. Poor out of the bottle with a little force to release aroma and carbonation. I would not consider it a IPA because I don't get the bite I would expect-- but not disappointing.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2012 01:18:53 | More by Chuggs

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.2/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from bottle into pint glass

Appearance – The beer pours a beautiful golden orange color with a two finger white head. The head has very good retention and eventually fades to give a nice level of lacing.

Smell – Even with a rather aggressive pour the aroma is very light. There are only moderate smells of grapefruit citrus hop some lemon and a very light pine smell.

Taste – Begins dry and malty with a bready flavor. The hops are present right up front with flavors of a bitter nature. The hop is rather nondescript, but seems to be a mix of lemon citrus and some pine flavors. The beer remains in this state to the very end where the taste slightly sweetness with some tangerine and a light caramel flavor. While the initial taste was rather dry and unbalanced in the end the flavors balance out rather well.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer is on the drier and thinner side, with a carbonation level that is rather medium; the beer drinks rather crisp. While it isn’t bad a bit more body may have given it a nicer, less harsh, flavor on the tongue in the initial taste.

Overall – While not really all that appealing from the smell or the initial tastes, the beer does finish well. It’s OK - but not all that great.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2012 00:40:01 | More by Darkmagus82

acevenom

Louisiana

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

Poured into a pint glass. Pours golden with a large white head. Plenty of bubbles can be seen streaming from the bottom of the glass. The head dissipates slowly, leaving some lacing on the side of the glass. The hop aroma is more of the citrus variety with some sweet and biscuit malt coming through in the nose as well. The taste follows the nose. The hops bring the citrus flavors ahead of the biscuit malt backbone. There is some hop bitterness on the back end. The body is light with abundant carbonation. The finish is dry. The drinkability is high. This is a very good and refreshing IPA.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2012 23:41:39 | More by acevenom

divineaudio

Michigan

3.1/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

tulip glass. best by 6/15/12.

a - a hard pour yields a transparent amber colored brew with a three finger, coarse, sudsy, off white head. retention is ok, calming slowly to a thin cap and leaving thick chunks of sticky lacing in the glass.

s - carmel, toasted bread, earthy hops.

t - strong, bready malt character with floral and herbal notes. hop character is subdued, possibly because it's past it's freshness date, possibly because it wasn't there to begin with. either way, standard ipa flavors but fairly well balanced. finishes very dry.

m - medium in body, slightly sticky, adequate carbonation, medium co2 profile.

o - enjoyable and goes down easy, but nothing really stands out here. overall just average for the style. might be a good place to start if your new to hoppy beers though.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2012 21:06:51 | More by divineaudio

dexterk1

Illinois

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

Poured from bottle to pint glass with a copper/ light amber color.
Odor is light, but there are citrus and very light pine.
Taste is of citrus and pine as well. Light at first and then building toward the end. Grapefruit astringency also present. Drops quickly/not much aftertaste. Mouth feel is good and solid. Pretty easy drinking.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2012 13:25:02 | More by dexterk1

wombat

1.5/5  rDev -58.7%
look: 3 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

I had this beer for the first time and when i tasted it i had to check the label to make sure i had the beer i wanted. nothing about this beer tastes like an IPA in fact it tastes like a lager. i don't know if they got their labels mixed up or if the IPA is just horrible but something isn't right.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2012 21:10:50 | More by wombat

RyanGoodman

Bolivia

4.2/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a Sam Adams Boston Lager glass. Full inch+ of off-white head that never completely disappeared throughout session. Copper, golden color that is completely and intensely clear. Nose offers bready malts, and faint hop aroma. Taste is malt and hop balance perfected, which is not exactly preferred in the American IPA style. So I'm not taking issue with the beer, just the genre that it's listed under here, according to BA's definition of an American IPA. The brewery brochure simply says it's an IPA, so this may be more accurate. Flavor is certainly floral, some definite cascade hoppiness, and finishes with an unexpected sweet/malty appearance. I can't put my finger on it, perhaps ?mead? which would go along with the floral nature to the beer. Mouthfeel, again, is lighter than one would expect from an IPA. If it were styled as a Pale Ale I may have given it a perfect rating across the board. All this being said, I more than thoroughly enjoyed this beer. So much so that I could drink it all day long. Beer substitute for water? Thank you very much Harpoon!

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2012 02:46:33 | More by RyanGoodman

metter98

New York

3.6/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: The beer is clear light amber in color and has a moderate amount of carbonation. It poured with a thin off white head that died down, but consistently left a thin layer of bubbles covering the surface and lacing down the sides of the glass.
S: There are light aromas of grapefruit hops in the nose.
T: The taste has flavors of citrusy hops (grapefruit stands out in particular) along with some hints of caramel malts. A moderate amount of bitterness is present.
M: It feels medium-bodied and a bit crisp on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: Nothing stands out about the taste of this beer compared to other India Pale Ales but it is a very easy-to-drink beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2012 01:55:54 | More by metter98

BostonHops

Massachusetts

3.63/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle served in a standard shaker pint.
best before stamp: 03/15/11

pours a clear dull gold/copper color with a finger or so of fizzy while head. so-so retention; bits of lace in patches but nothing to write home about.

nose is definitely on the subdued side (not one of those aromatic IPAs that flood the oflactory senses); floral hops and some toasted malt characters. flavor is an improvement. at the risk of showing my bias - this was one of my "gateway" craft brews - you get a nice hop/malt balance with a crisp, slightly bitter finish. not exceptional by most measures but a reasonably drinkable, tasty IPA.

medium-light bodied mouthfeel with average carbonation. again, not an upper echelon brew but it drinks well enough to suffice.

originally reviewed: 02-18-2011

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2012 04:28:17 | More by BostonHops

Dools9

Massachusetts

3.79/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Bottle to pint.

A: Very nice copper orange. Two fingers of slightly off white, laundry soap head hold steady and leave moderate lacing.

S: Not very aromatic for the style but theres a nice floral, earthy fragrance, a bit of citrus as well. Nice sweet, toasty caramel malt lingers in the back.

T: Floral hops, some light citrus tang, not overly bitter but nice and easy to drink. Good bready, toasty malt balances things nicely.

M: Very crisp and refreshing, relatively low abv makes for a very refreshing beer. Light to medium bodied, nice and easy drinking.

O: Great intro for the style. Not overwhelming, decently sessionable, and very refreshing and balanced. However, those looking for a hop bomb will be left dissapointed. Still, a solid beer and a great alternative at a bar when options aren't very good.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2012 20:28:34 | More by Dools9

irishevans

Alaska

3.85/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Pours a medium golden color with a soap sud white head that was 2 fingers at the pour but settled down to a little better than half a finger (to be fair though, I'm a Bass player and have the stereotypical Bass player fingers), it pretty clear, very little haze. not anything crazy special, but certainly no disappointment either.

N- Mostly citric hop aroma, though it does have a bit of a floral/herbal hint in the background. the grain is there, but enough to really remark on. It seems to mellow the hop aroma more than lend it's own smell.

T- the Hop character is the reverse of the nose, very Floral, with a citric back note. grain is not really noticeable, but the hop flavor isn't overdone. much more boldly hoppy than most other east coast IPAs I've tried but still more mellow than your average West Coast palate-wrecking hop bomb. a bit of a grapefruit hint in the middle to finish of it, but mostly it's dominated by the floral hop flavor. in a good way.

M- rather dry, or perhaps "pale" throughout, and especially on the finish. the carbonation is on the lighter side, but more than amply crisp, and it works well with the floral flavor.

O- I'm a fan. I really like the floral flavor, and the aroma is very pleasing to the nostrils when in that IPA mood. the mouth feel is pleasantly dry like a pale ale should be, and it accomplishes all this without killing your palate for the night. as far as East Coast American IPAs go, I really like this one. wonderfully mellow, without being boring, or bland.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2012 00:24:22 | More by irishevans