Harpoon Leviathan

I recently had the chance to try Harpoon's latest offering: Leviathan. Leviathan is labeled as a Baltic Porter, and the characteristic high alcohol content and rich, dark flavors confirm Harpoon’s commitment to the style.

The label is adorned with a very cool benthic horror in red on a black background. The beer comes in a four-pack and cost a whopping eleven dollars at my local Wino-Mart, though I found it to be well worth the investment.

I popped open a bottle and poured the pitch black brew into a glass. It has a sturdy, tightly bubbled, medium brown head that could probably support the weight of a shot glass of Kirshwasser (or not, but Kirshwasser, the dry cherry liquor would make a terrific addition to this beer as a modified Boilermaker.).

There is an undeniable Scotch whisky nose to Leviathan which persists through tasting the beer. Each lavish sip of this brew brings a rich coffee-like bitterness and pleasant bready sourness right alongside dark ripened fruit flavors and rich dark chocolate all enveloped in a thick, velvety, coating mouthfeel. I would sum the beer up as sweet and sour like molasses on sourdough bread. The only other beer I’ve ever had that has a similar taste to Leviathan is Three Philosophers by Brewery Ommegang.

Aside from a cordial of Kirshwasser, Harpoon’s Leviathan would pair well with a generous slice of Black Forest cake. This is one of the best beers I have had in my career as a Connoisseur and would highly recommend picking yourself up a four-pack and cuddling up in front of a fire with someone you love and a pint of Leviathan to keep you warm.