Harpoon 100 Barrel Series #17 - English Style Old Ale

Formerly brewed at Harpoon Brewery
Style: Old Ale
Boston, Massachusetts USA

Aroma is striking-- immediately, there are smells of aged hop, caramel, and flowers. The body is a brilliantly-clear amber; head is a perfect, foamy tan. Flavor is intense. There are some smoky, malty flavors... there is a pronounced hop flavor and yet the beer is not overly hoppy... some sherry/port flavor... and the beer has a big malt-sweet backbone. This is what I’d imagine a "lite barleywine" to taste like. Nice, balanced hop finish. My only complaint is that the beer is a bit TOO sweet. Otherwise, I’d say this was a perfect brew. I’d love to find this on draught. This beer would probably age very well.

From a bottle with an expiration date of 03/24/08. Brewed in the Windsor, Vermont (USA) brewery. Looks like an English Old Style should with a darker amber tone and a decent , frothy off-white head. Smells malty and not as potent as traditional English Ales I have tried. Not watered down at all in the mouth. Rather bitter overall. High alcohol content that can make your head spin after a couple and it’s a tasty way to get your head to spin! I would like it better if it wasn’t as bitter but overall I think it’s a topnotch recipe from Harpoon.

found this sitting around Tully’s a few months ago The 12 oz bottle poured into a pint glass produced a finger worth of off white head that faded to a thick lace. the body of the brew was an clear reddish brown The aroma of this brew has some dark fruits raisin in it as well as a nice sweetness from the malts. Wow this one is a malt bomb now flavor wise making a nice sipper with enough of an alcohol bite to keep it interesting A good Old Ale glad I am came across it. If I found one more I buy it

At about 55° this beer is wonderful. Deep hearty aroma and flavor, yet mellow and warm. Lush mouthfeel and rather clean finish. Tastes like a really, really well-made brown ale, with a touch of ESB thrown in, and added alcohol kick. An excellent brew.

Pours a three-fingered cream head that slowly fades to a thin layer leaving a good lace. Clear amber color. Light-medium carbonation and medium bodied. Orange rind nose. Flavor is orange rind and spices, malts and hops balance nicely. $5.49 for a 22 oz bottle from Capital Convenience Concord, NH.

NOt much aroma. Taste is interesting. Has some hops and spice but also a bit of butter up front. Gets better as you go along for sure. Great finish.

12oz bottle, encore edition. Deep but semi-transparent orange-brown color. Malty deep aroma with a hint of alcohol. Full, sweet, and rich. Almost comes off bock like to me, but certainly retains some of the classic Old Ale attributes as well. A perfectly balanced beer, well done.

Dark orangey copper, creamy off white head. Sweet aromas of honey dipped toffee brittle lay on accents of earthy molasses nougat. Soft dry black tea flavors balance on sweet caramel notes and hints of dark fruit. A very light hop component rounds this out well. Still somewhat sweet, but never cloying. Medium bodied, soft carbonation, with a kiss of sweetness in the end. A well done winter sipper...