Harpoon Celebrates 40 Years of Brewing

With the release of their first Harpoon Ale in June of 1987, Richard Doyle, Dan Kenary, and George Legeti became the first people to commercially brew and bottle beer in Boston since the Haffenreffer brewery closed in 1964. From the start, the three young partners knew they wanted a bricks-and-mortar brewery physically located within Boston proper, a point of differentiation they would use to needle Jim Koch and the Boston Beer Company in their early days. With the general unavailability of suitable commercial space, the partners selected an old shipbuilding warehouse as their home. Despite the tight confines of the brewery on Northern Avenue, Harpoon has never known another home.

Last weekend in Boston, Harpoon celebrated 40 years in business and amid the festivities and World Cup matches, Kenary spoke with Andy Crouch from the company’s taproom. Kenary goes deep on the brewery’s origins, consistent approach to brewing that emphasizes quality over flashiness. He also explains Harpoon’s expansion, including brewery acquisitions like Clown Shoes, Long Trail, Smuttynose, and more, plus the move into canned cocktails and RTDs.

While there are challenges in the current beer market, with Kenary expresses optimism for the brewery’s future with insight that can only come through longevity.

Hear the whole conversation on the Drink Beer, Think Beer podcast.

Or download via Overcast, Stitcher, Podcast Addict, or wherever you download shows.

This episode is sponsored by:

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