Harpoon 100 Barrel

[n0rmann]

My new beer column just came out, featuring the Harpoon 100 Barrel series. I love Harpoon, and I love the idea of the 100 barrel series because it gives the brewers a chance to do something fun.

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/foodDining/view.bg?articleid=138059

[newportstorm]

Thanks for the link - good read. I am also a fan of the 100 Barrel Series, despite there being as many misses as hits. Eh, can't love 'em all. I've especially liked the Oatmeal Stout, Union Street Revival, Smoked Porter, Barleywine and Kellerbier (fresh).

And they stick around longer than you think in some parts. RI saw some scarily old 100 Barrel beers linger well past the time it should have been pulled. And some states (like CT & RI) are always well behind in receiving their shipments - sometimes the next release is ready for MA distribution by the time other states have the previous one on the shelves. I still make a point to grab a few bombers when I see them, but shop around. Some places sell for $3.99/ea and others for $5+.

Also, are you sure Imperial Pilsner is the name of this beer? Nothing about it screams Imperial to me - 4.7% abv, 42 IBUs, etc. Samuel Adams' Imperial Pilsner of last winter certainly was just that.

http://www.harpoonbrewery.com/index.cfm/pid/28515/page/100-Barrel-Series

And while I was initially thrilled to see the 100 Barrel Series revived in 6pack form, I balked at the $11+ pricetag. No effin' way. Chalk it up to it being "limited" (though 100 barrels of beer is quite a bit) or claim it's cheaper, per ounce, than the bombers. But, in the case of the Oatmeal Stout, when I can reach into the next cooler and grab a sixer of Ipswich Oatmeal Stout, Wolaver's Oatmeal stout, etc. for under $8...the choice is easy.

And for any area fans that dig the local pilsners, Buzzards Bay Brewing in Westport has a killer Czech Pilsner on right now. Only on draft but growler fills are a steal - $6, for any clean growler. Bottles should be forthcoming in early fall. Reserve your cases noe. Yeah, it's that good!

Cheers!

[n0rmann]

Yeah, Imperial Pilsner is the official name. I really don't know what makes it Imperial, but it's still good.

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by n0rmann
Yeah, Imperial Pilsner is the official name. I really don't know what makes it Imperial, but it's still good.

Odd. Never seen the word Imperial attached to it on the label art on the brewery website or the ads in brewspapers, nor do its stats jump out as anything out of the ordinary for the style. Looking forward to it regardless.

Cheers!

[jjpm74]

The kellerbier was the best of the lot so far. I also liked Triticus (wheat wine) and the saison. The rest of the lot have been duds so far IMO. The newest is going to be a Bohemian pilsener brewed in a fashion similar to Pilsener Urquell. Not an Imperial Pils AFAIK.