Harpoon 100 Barrel Series #04 - Barleywine

Formerly brewed at Harpoon Brewery
Style: Barley Wine
Boston, Massachusetts USA

im surprised at the bad ratings, our group enjoyed it as Im sure you will see shortly (or not)...it poured slightly hazed and orange and shot forth sweet apricot essence into the air...it tasted beatifully sweet and full of character..with fruity chewy apricots and nice sophistication.

I was impressed with this Harpoon beer, and disappointed that I probably won't get to have it again. The alcohol is very well hidden, and it's quite unique among barleywines. Very wine-like qualities to it, and it's not too sweet at all. A little fruity and yet not dainty at all. Yum.

On tap at David Copperfield's NYC. Only keg in town Rather pale in color for a barley wine, this could have passed for an IPA or Pale ale, judging from the death of viscosity. The nose is rich in blended hops, a cooking caramel aroma and some notes of medicinal nature. Good smooth, well rounded hop presence firmly carried along by a stern malt backbone. Smooth, and easily drinkable for a beer of this gravity. Piney, citrousy and yet a touch sweet to round it out. Good example of this style.

Light copper in color, clear with a thick whipped egg white head (there’s also a touch of beige here). Light, but sticky lace. Sweet complex aromas of apple, pear, some berry and a touch of lemon. The hop smells are up front and also intriguingly sweet. Mmmm. Rich fruit flavors jump out first: again, apple/pear predominate. There’s enough hop to prevent the beer from becoming coyingly sweet although less pronounced than the aroma. This would be an awesome beer with strong cheeses or rich desserts. The mouthfeel is full-bodied, slightly oily (in a positive way). The carbonation is low but appropriately so. The aftertaste is as complex as the aroma with fruit sugars, hop oils and alcohol warmth finishing the experience. More bitter than most barelywines I’ve had; but frankly, I like that...a lot! As reluctant as I was to purchase a single bottle at $4.49 (22 oz.), I think it’s worth the price--an excellent beer.

Tap. Beer was medium-dark orange in the glass, nose indicated that it was mildly dry-hopped, but the hop nose was not in your face. Flavor was what I've come to expect from Barleywine, lots of almost syurpy malt with alcohol, balanced out with a very nice hop finish. Produced pure hop burps later on, which were quite nice :)

[draught] Quite light in color for a barleywine - a golden straw color with a medium ring of white lacing - aroma of light hops, maple (the syrup and the wood), and some light fruits that are carried to the flavor, like apples, white grapes - some honey and syrup, but this is not overly sweet - some dessert wine qualities, like a riesling in some ways - quite delicate for an american barleywine - a refreshing change.

Bottled. Pale amber, low white foam. Fruity and rather hoppy aroma of flowers, Seville oranges, nuts and grapefruit. Full-bodied with notes of flowers, nectarines and caramel with a long finish of grapefruit and spices.

Courtesy of Pailhead. Bottle states 04’ session. Slightly murky copper, minimal head. Alcohol up front, with fruity esters and caramel coming through the more it warms. Flavor has a big caramel/mollasses character. Slight oxidation. Tons of residuel sweetness. Pretty one-dimensional, but not cloying. decent overall.