harpoon

[199beers]

I would like to know the overall concenses of Harpoon beer? I really enjoy this beer. Does anyone else enjoyr this great tasting beer? If you do, let me know what you think??

[hops99]

Consensus, eh? Which Harpoon beer?

[newportstorm]

Well, I agree, you need to be more specific. If you mean Harpoon as brewery overall, I think they are very talented. Their new 100 Barrell Series has generated lots of renewed interest in their products (new & old). As far as their beers go:

Ale: Decent pale ale, doesn't get the pub their IPA does

IPA: Good when fresh but gets very sweet and flat when old

Munich Dark: A great dark ale that doesn't get enough credit

Hibernian: Boring. Brewed for the Killian's crowd. Dump it and bring back the Maibock...please!

Summer: a better than average Kolsch. Good to have on hand.

UFO: So-so. Better out there and often served improperly.

Ofest: An ale (that they seem to try to hide the fact) but tasty.

Winter Warmer: Bleccch! Way too spiced. Dump it.

Oatmeal Stout: A little thin but a winner. Could replace the WW as a winter seasonal.

Wit: Different interpretation of the style. Not my favorite but worth a look.

Abbey: Yet to find any....

Miss the Pickwick Ale
:(

[threecb]

I've always liked their IPA. It used to be my benchmark IPA before Victory and DFH became readily available.

I tried the Summer this year and liked it, but didn't love it.

I couldn't find the O-fest by me this year.

I agree with newportstorm's assessment of the WW, but my wife actually likes that one. "It's like drinking a cookie." Go figure.

[sallad]

i really enjoyed their summer brew and thier octoberfest. haven't had much else from them, but those 2 brews were really good!

[chazwicke]

I believe Harpoon makes decent beer. I have not had all the varieties. Didn't they buy out The catamount Brewery in Vermont to increase production? I once visited this facility when It was owned by Catamount. IAm I correct that Harpoon still brews Catamount for the local market up in Vermont?

[newportstorm]

[/B]Am I correct that Harpoon still brews Catamount for the local market up in Vermont? [/B]


Sorry, I believe the Catamount brand is dead. Too bad, as Harpoon now lacks a Porter in their line-up. Glad they brought in the Oatmeal Stout as a darker alternative.

Cheers!

[jlttb]

I've had the opportunity to visit both Harpoon breweries, in Boston and Vermont, and they both made a terrific visit. In Boston, the tasting room was packed with college kids, but the Harpoon folks kept pouring till everyone got a drink of everything.
I visited Vermont with my wife and kids one summer morning last year with no one else there, and the Harpoon people couldn't have been more friendly, letting us walk around in the brewhouse while they served samples, and letting my kids run around on their big front lawn. They were selling out the Catamont brew and beer accessories at that point.
(Also got to vist Jasper Murcoch's Ale House on that trip--but that's another story.)
I do have to saw a word for the Winter Warmer - - some would certainly find it packed with too much nutmeg and cinnammon, but I find it balanced and refreshing. It made quite a change from two months of Octoberfests (http://www.realbeer.com/discussions/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1231)!.

[hops99]

I've only tried four Harpoon brews; the IPA, Ale, Munich Dark, and UFO, and my impressions of them mirror newportstorm's. All in all, I've been pretty impressed with Harpoon's offerings so far.

On a side note, I used to thik that the Catamount porter was one of the best ones out there - it's a shame I can't find it anymore :(

[Bitter Dew]

I still like the Harpoon IPA and will pick it up whenever I'm back home (Upstate New York). Havn't had any of the other varities yet.
I was sorry to hear about Catamount too, liked their beers. I guess thats why I couldn't find it last time I was home.

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by threecb


I agree with newportstorm's assessment of the WW, but my wife actually likes that one. "It's like drinking a cookie." Go figure.

Are you saying that it's possible to brew a beer that my wife would even enjoy? :)

[threecb]

aah, you should be so lucky, eh!?

To me it's like a Gingerbread Brown Ale...as if there was such a style!:p