Harpoon Brewery
Boston, MA
Available: MA, VT
This abbey-style beer is the second in the Harpoon 100 Barrel Series, a line of limited edition specialty beers. Each beer in the series will be created by a different brewer, who will be responsible for every stage, from developing the recipe to the final brewing process.
Alcohol by weight: 5.2
Color: 7.6
Bitterness: 22
Gravity: 1068
Handsome label is informative and respectful. The deep golden color with hints of burnt sienna contrasts artfully with an eggshell head of uniform, miniscule bubbles. The nose is perfumed and inviting, spicy and satisfying. So is the flavor, dry enough to compliment the main course, yet with satisfactory richness to enjoy with dessert. We served it with fresh Alaskan Spot Prawns in a shallot and caviar sauce, followed by an organic Granny Smith apple tart.
Coming alive with the pour, this ale literally sounds like hearty full flavored ale. Aromatics and flavor offer complex balance of fruit, malt and alcohol impressions. A hint of yeast on the palate offers signature authenticity. Am I in Brussels? Amsterdam, sitting in a comforting café with a wonderful bowl-shaped glass of Belgian ale? No. I’m at home here in Colorado at 5,300 feet elevation enjoying American-made Belgian style ale. This masterpiece is an accompaniment to heaven.
A pale bronze color with ripe orange and lemon fruitiness, balanced by peppery hops. The palate offers biscuity malt, tart fruit and spicy hops, with a deep, complex finish dominated by citrus fruits, juicy malt and bitter, spicy hops. Rich and rewarding with great depth of flavors.
Founder of Merchant du Vin and the Pike Brewing Co., Charles Finkel is a pioneer in the marketing of craft beers in America.
Author of the New Complete Joy of Homebrewing, founder of the Great American Beer Festival and a Beer Examiner at www.examiner.com, Papazian is a leading voice in beer and brewing.
Roger Protz is the author of Complete Guide to World Beer and 300 Beers to Try Before You Die. He is a respected beer authority and editor of the CAMRA Good Beer Guide.
