Harpoon IPA…a measuring stick.
When I (the beer connoisseur) go into my local beer-o-mart (Woody’s) I am usually headed toward a familiar case. I like an IPA with character. I like an IPA that can stand its ground against the competitors with a uniquely delicious, yet always distinctive flavor. When I am looking for an IPA, I am looking for a Harpoon IPA. I have tried many IPAs and have not come across a blend of hops that supersedes Harpoon IPA. Harpoon used a blend of three different hops that is often imitated, but never successfully. The color of this IPA is a golden copper, always impressive, and the first sniff says it all. There is a mouth-watering floral aroma with a slightly bitter edge, and it fills your nose. From there, the mouth-feel is both smooth and slightly citrusy, with a full and hoppy drinkability that is rarely matched. Now, some IPA nuts say that this beer is not hoppy enough, but I disagree. Adding more hops to this blend would overpower the enjoyable freshly baked bread aftertaste. I have tried some hoppier beers offered by my hop-minded friends, and I must say that I would have rather had a Harpoon IPA in hand. In one such instance, after suffering through a few miserable sips of Paper City Blonde Hop Monster, I had one of my friend’s girlfriends do the old switch-a-roo so that the hop fiends that I was imbibing with could have their over-hopped disaster, I could crack a cold, fresh Harpoon IPA, and no beer would be wasted, (though I wouldn’t waste my time with the Paper City offering). Harpoon IPA is truly the measuring stick to which other IPAs must be measured, and if personal history matters, this offering from Harpoon will reign supreme as the standard for all others. However, please heed this warning. This beer is surprisingly alcoholic, at 5.9%. If you are thinking of having that “one last beer” before you are completely done for the night, I would NOT recommend Harpoon IPA. Go with a Miller Lite, a PBR, drink