Harpoon IPA - Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall

CuriousMonk

Virginia

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

Usually on top over bottle poured into a pint glass. Pours a deep golden straw color with a thick off white head that makes nice lace on the glass. Aroma of floral hops,and a hint of bread and maybe a note of sweet peaches . Flavor is piny faintly citrus over a light toasted and biscuity malt taste. The palate is medium bodied with good carbonation and a hopy bitterness that lingers on the tongue. A very sessionable and enjoyable beer.

Serving type: on-tap

01-31-2011 22:25:25 | More by CuriousMonk

wcintula

New York

3.18/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I was more excited about trying this beer than I was pleased with the beer. Poured yellow with a little head that receded quickly. It smelt like it was going to deliver in the bitterness department but all around was a very mild beer. Perhaps a beginner's IPA, in that's it's easy to drink and gives you a small idea what to expect from an IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

01-23-2011 23:21:41 | More by wcintula

kinupanda

Texas

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

Very translucent light amber hue in the pint glass, and an almost non-existent, somewhat patchy head. The nose is good mix of earthy and hoppy. The initial taste feels somewhat abrasive, but after a while grows to an almost spicy kick. The hops aren't particularly apparent at first, but they open up and provide the expected bitterness if the sip is held, possibly due to the carbonation; thus, the mouthfeel is acceptable, though don't expect the same kick as provided by other IPAs. The alcohol becomes more apparent on the aftertaste.

FourthBeer potential: AVERAGE. Nothing particularly exciting in this beer when compared to IPAs, but it is certainly drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

01-23-2011 21:30:52 | More by kinupanda

plfahey

Minnesota

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

Had on tap in shaker pint glass at Bertucci's in Boston.

Appearance-Deep gold to light amber in color. Very clear. Thin, off-white head with fair retention and slight lacing.

Aroma-The bouquet is a blend of caramel and bready malt aromas with some woodsy, piney, and earthy hop aromas. Some light fruit esters were also apparent.

Flavor-Bready, biscuity malt with light caramel. Medium to medium low piney, woodsy hop flavor, with moderate hop bitterness. Slight fruity esters. Finish is dry with medium hop bitterness carrying on into the aftertaste.

Mouthfeel-Medium body. Moderate carbonation. No astringency from hopping (though I would really be surprised if there were any astringency as the hop load seems relatively low for the style.) No alcohol warmth.

The first word that comes to mind when I think of this beer is plain. Not bad, but not too special. This is a middle of the road IPA-easy to drink, but just not that great.

Serving type: on-tap

01-13-2011 03:09:45 | More by plfahey

Ryan011235

Ohio

1.65/5  rDev -54.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1.5

On tap at Barley's Smokehouse on 11/27/10

Clear, grainy yellow. Thin retention with a little drippy lace.

Smells like soap, lysol & watered down jolly ranchers. Tastes like bubblegum & bread. Agitation that comes with tasting air cleansers as they rain down. Medium-light body. Low carbonation. Soapy finish.

Where is the IPA?

Serving type: on-tap

01-10-2011 01:09:48 | More by Ryan011235

KickInTheChalice

Illinois

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

Served on tap in a pint glass.

Appearance: Clearly filtered, this arrives at the table a nearly transparent golden color, with visible carbonation rising from the bottom of the glass. A generous pour, so there is not much of a head, but what there is has a white color and leaves bits of lace.

Smell: Floral and pine hops, some light grapefruit citrus.

Taste: Definitely hop-centric, this is light on the malt presence. A touch of sweet caramel malt, then grapefruit rind and sticky pine. A bit of biscuity malt remains throughout, hiding beneath the hoppy flavor. Finishes clean.

Mouthfeel: Mostly clean, with a light bitter puckering and hop oil lingering on the tongue. Medium body, with above average carbonation.

Drinkability: Crirsper than what I would normally order or expect from an IPA, but pleasantly bitter. Not sure if this would have more character out of a bottle.

Serving type: on-tap

12-29-2010 21:30:08 | More by KickInTheChalice

zoso1967

Michigan

3.6/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours your standard IPA copper toned medium amber with a white head that has very good retention and leaves sticky lace.

The aroma has a good amount of biscuity caramel malt that is accented by grapefruity hops. Definitely not as well hopped as a more contemporary American IPA.

The flavor is also on the malty end of the spectrum. Plenty of Biscuity malt and a bit of caramel blend with grapefruit, pine and some spicy hops. Definitely less hop forward than most IPAs, but still good. Despite the significant malt presence, this beer has a good amount of bitterness to keeps it from getting too sweet.

The body is on the light end of medium with a good amount of carbonation. It finishes quite cleanly.

This is a very drinkable IPA, but pretty tame by today's standards. A lot of people think they have dumbed down this recipe, but if the brewery is telling the truth then this is the exact same recipe and all that has changed is peoples' perceptions due to the other extremely hopped IPAs on the market. Whatever the case may be, this beer is still quite tasty, but it is no longer a go to.

Serving type: on-tap

12-28-2010 00:02:52 | More by zoso1967

Haybeerman

Colorado

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

A: Clear golden amber color. Poured a 1 finger fizzy white head with good retention. Decanted lightly. Wavy rings laced the glass.

S: Citrussy hops and crackery malt. Neither were overpowering.

T: Citrus hop flavor backed up by biscuity and crackery malt. Slight resiny coating; smooth. Dry and bitter finish.

M: Light to medium body. Moderate carbonation. Bitter and dry.

D: Very drinkable. Sessionable IPA. Its not weak, but smooth and well-balanced hop and malt bill.

Serving type: on-tap

12-19-2010 21:04:37 | More by Haybeerman

cosmicevan

New York

3.83/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had on tap at papa razzi restaurant in boston with dinner. Showed up a clear orange with a thin head in a pint glass. Pretty calm looking in the glass but the lacing practically coats the side as I drank the brew. Nice piny citrusy hops smell. Doesn't seem oveewhelming in the hops, just how I like it. Taste however is much more bitter than the nose lends. Overall nice IPA with a touch of bitterness. Pretty medium bodied and an easy drinker. Could be balanced a bit more for my tastes, but a standard IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

11-25-2010 23:33:19 | More by cosmicevan

claspada

New Jersey

2.83/5  rDev -22%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Aroma is mold citrus and piney hops. A light sweetness in the nose to balance out the bitterness. Simple.

The tastes are quite similar to the nose. Citrus hops, but not overly bitter. Some light malty sweetness. Not very impressive, and bland compared to today's unique/impressive offerings. A medium body, but thin a watery.

Overall this is not a hard IPA to drink. The bitterness does not over power, and makes for a relatively easy to drink beer. Not worth revisiting or reordering with the plentiful amount of great offering available today.

Serving type: on-tap

11-17-2010 03:19:23 | More by claspada

mikeg67

New Jersey

3.68/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On Tap at the bar. Copper color, no carbonation. Aroma of grapefruit, citrus hops and biscuit malt. Medium body, very sharp. Spicy hops and grapefruit dominate the mouth with biscuit malt in the background. Long bitter finish. Nice, easy drinking IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

11-14-2010 13:26:35 | More by mikeg67

EgadBananas

Louisiana

2.33/5  rDev -35.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Clear, yellow/orange in color. White head of about a finger.

Crisp, slightly floral with a bit of pronounced malt sweetness.

Taste is initially citrus fruits, though a bit faint. A light bitterness follows and sweet malts. Finish was a funky banana taste that I did no care for in the least.

Feel was crisp, slick and lighter in body.

Not great, though not undrinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

11-14-2010 05:01:00 | More by EgadBananas

TheHoppiest

Ohio

3.43/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had on tap at Mavis Winkles in Independence.

Poured from a too-cold tap into a pint glass. Pours an amber gold, with minimal head. Lack of head is likely due to the nature of the pour, and not the beer.

Smell is underwhelming; slight malt, otherwise, silent on the nose.

This beer has a nice up-front bitter taste, mellowed by malt and ending with slight hop bitterness. Overall, a fair amount maltier than I prefer my IPA's to be.

Mouthfeel is thin.

Serviceable enough as a session beer, but certainly not what I think of when I think IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

11-13-2010 19:42:10 | More by TheHoppiest

mwill7287

Ohio

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

On tap, Cityside, Brookline, MA. Poured into standard 16 oz. pint glass.

Appearance - golden, clear & crisp.

Smell - very "floral", as described by a friend early on in my relationship with this beer. The term has stuck. The fact that I can smell it is remarkable.

Taste - Carries out the floral-ity of the smell. Strong in taste.

Mouthfeel - Naturally bitter, as an IPA, but not overwhelmingly so. Refreshing, cool, crisp - good for warm summer days.

Drinkability - Fairly standard. Good choice to a beer to go with for the evening, especially at bars close to BC that have limited selections.

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2010 19:33:55 | More by mwill7287

devinoconnor

New Jersey

4.13/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

I thought this was just an exceptional IPA. It's aroma is delicious. It's a highly-hopped ale but it's surprisingly very easy to drink.

I will say I've had Harpoon IPA on both tap and bottle, and the differences are substantial. The bottle doesn't do its justice. In fact, it sort of ruins it for me. The hops seem to be more intense out of the bottle, sort of souring the beer.

Still, one of my favorite IPA's. Harpoon is always solid.

Serving type: on-tap

09-30-2010 21:57:37 | More by devinoconnor

samie85

Illinois

2.4/5  rDev -33.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

On-tap earlier tonight at a neighborhood corner bar.

A-This one is a golden orange color with a half-finger head.

S-Bready and caramel malt with a bit of flower and pine hop notes.

T-Orange and maybe a little pine with some light caramel malt and a clean, bitter finish.

M-Light bodied with low carbonation and a thin mouthfeel.

D-A really meh beer for me, not one I would seek out again.

Serving type: on-tap

09-25-2010 05:45:03 | More by samie85

glid02

Georgia

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

On-tap at Cypress St. Pint and Plate in Atlanta.

Pours a clear light copper color with a one-finger slightly off-white head. The head recedes into a wispy layer on top leaving solid lacing.

Smells of pale malts with moderate amounts of buttery diacetyl and milder amounts of citrus and earthy hops. As the beer warms the hop aromas fade even further.

Tastes very similar to how it smells. Pale malt flavors kick things off and are joined quickly by moderate amounts of citrus and leafy hop flavors. Midway through the sip the hop flavors fade a bit and diacetyl works its way into things. The hops reassert themselves near the end of the sip and carry through to a moderately bitter ending.

Mouthfeel is good. It's got a nice thickness with smooth carbonation.

Drinkability is OK. I didn't have a problem finishing my glass however I'm not sure about another.

Overall this IPA was fairly forgettable - certainly not a bad beer but not one I'd be in a rush to revisit.

Serving type: on-tap

08-31-2010 01:16:49 | More by glid02

OtherShoe2

Massachusetts

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

Received a glass of light orange brew. Good clarity and an off-white foamy head. Light lacing.

Light citric hop aromas with some fruit and caramel. Simple and decent.

Lighter flavored, with decent hop bitterness balanced with light toasted malt, fruit, some grapefruit, and a touch of sweetness. Finish is bitter and malty. Good.

Medium bodied and carbonated. Ok.

Overall, middle of the road IPA. Many out there that are far better, but a refreshing beer, for the style, on a hot summer day.

Serving type: on-tap

08-15-2010 21:09:41 | More by OtherShoe2

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

4.21/5  rDev +16%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

My first IPA

A-Light in color with a small frothy head.

S-Traditional IPA smell. Hops sidekicked by a sweet residual malt smell.

T-Floral and bready with a touch of hoppy spice. Easy drinking brew that is a perfect introduction to the style.

M-Light bodied and generously carbonated.

D-very drinkable, nothing outrageous here, just a timeless classic.

Serving type: on-tap

08-12-2010 02:19:26 | More by VelvetExtract

belgiumbud

California

3.83/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Enjoyed this beer on tap at the Bell In Hand Pub in historic Boston

Poured nicely in a large Hefe style glass with very little head retention...Great autumn auburn color with the aroma of extremely mild hoppiness and chestnut

More similar to an English IPA than its American counterpart...Very smooth, well balanced flavor with decent amount of nutty maltiness that is cut short from the mild hop back...Would view this beer as a good example of a session beer...Not my favorite beer by any means

Serving type: on-tap

08-09-2010 19:51:05 | More by belgiumbud

Boppar

New Hampshire

4.05/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap aboard the Mt. Washington.

A: Very deep gold with coppery highlights. This is a very attractive beer.

S: Loads of floral and pine hops. Sweet biscuity malts underneath.

T: See above. This tastes like an IPA, and is a very good style example. It gets the basics right while paying attention to the details. It opens bright and sweet with citrus and transitions to caramel before ending with a piney twang and a bitter, lingering finish. This brew has a healthy dose of hops in it (as it should!) but it remains accessible.

M: Smooth, creamy, and full.

D: Quite drinkable, even for a very drinkable style.

Serving type: on-tap

07-31-2010 14:18:23 | More by Boppar

bigbodybussey

Georgia

4.22/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served on tap into a pint glass at The Fermentation Lounge in Tallahassee, FL.

Appearance - a clear, deep, golden yellow with an inch of fluffy white head.

Smell - Loads of hoppiness paired with some citrus (probably orange) and lightly fragrant spices.

Taste - Very subtle with initial hoppy bitterness that progresses throught the sip. Citrus and mild spice pair with the bitterness quite well and blend. Finally, the bitterness becomes more apparent and leaves a nice bitterness on the back of the tongue.

Mouthfeel - Light with moderate carbonation and a slight creaminess. Very smooth in comparison to other IPA's.

Drinkability - Exceptional. The bitterness blends quite well and is not overpowering. This beer goes great with anything. Just an all around winner.

Serving type: on-tap

07-30-2010 22:38:49 | More by bigbodybussey

thekanna

Maryland

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

Had on-tap at Buffalo Wild Wings in College Park, MD.

A: Relatively clear gold with about 1 finger of head.

S: Some subdued hops and citrus. Definitely can smell a little orange in there, maybe lemon.

T/M: Some sweet malts, citrus, and hops. Hops definitely take a backseat to the slightly watery smoothness of the beer though, and it all seems a bit subdued for an IPA.

D: Very drinkable, but hops are too low-key for it to be an IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

07-28-2010 05:13:14 | More by thekanna

garuda

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Clear copper with a one finger white head that has good retention and a little bit of lacing down the glass.

S - Pleasantly surprised with some pine and grapefruit hops and some biscuity malts.

T - More of the same, but there's an off-flavor of seltzer water about mid palate that kills the transition from malt to hops.

M - Medium body, but the carbonation is a bit too high and creates a seltzer water feeling mid palate with kind of a messy finish.

D - I feel this would be much more drinkable if the carb level was a bit lower. Still, its a good choice if the only other options are macros.

Serving type: on-tap

07-11-2010 13:19:16 | More by garuda

uustal

Rhode Island

3.78/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Slight citrus hop aroma. Very toasty flavor profile. Starts with a lot of toasty and earthy flavor. Hints of caramel malt and semi sweetness. Not much hops for an IPA. Finishes with a bit of citrus and pine hops. Not a hop head beer and more of an APA than IPA, but a very good tasting beer nonetheless.

Serving type: on-tap

07-01-2010 03:43:24 | More by uustal