2005 100 barrel series bottle. Pour reveals a medium auburn colored beer, with light orange/copper tinges, very clear and filtered as all Harpoons are. Off-white head is initially large, but settles to a well-retained cover of foam. Aroma smells of bits of caramel and toffee, and lots of fruitiness. We’re talking ale yeast fruitiness, which is strange. Hints of floral hops in the aroma as well. Dry nuttiness, almost a cardboard sort of thing, dulls the aroma though, and even from a snifter, I have to strain to pull much aroma from it. Flavor is even worse than the aroma, IMHO. Right away you are greeted by a dull, almost fully attenuated body, with no substantial malt sweetness, just some light hops flavor, soily, earthy notes, hints of dry fruits (peaches, raspberries, apricots) and then a mineral water and cardboard finish. Retronasal floral hops are pleasant, but ultimately can not make up for a beer that should have some sweet, thick malt. Too much carbonation, which is forced and disruptive. Bit of acidity, husky grains, dry to the extreme for the style. I poured most of mine out.

2005 bottle. Yikes, this stuff made the Harpoon IPA taste good (and that’s not a good thing). Weak, amber-orange color, more yellows than anything, with a quickly dissipating off-white head. Aroma of very mild fruity ale yeast, mineral water, very faint toasted malt in the background. Flavor begins dry, papery, bland and lightly astringent from the lack of malt. Dry, nutty flavor with toast, papery yeast and water. Would it have killed them to add some flavor to the beer? Yes, because then they couldnt sell this crap to the masses during St. Patricks day. Light body, little flavor. I’ve seen bad brewpubs make a better amber ale than this. Horrible forced carbonation and a watery, bland body will make the BMC drinker feel right at home. It’s official, I’m done buying Harpoon beers. P.S. Drainpour.

December 2004 bottle, consumed 3/15/05. I’ve had this beer at so many different bars, in bottle and on draught over the past 3 years that my previous rating of it was just getting too cumbersome and inaccurate. So let’s start afresh with this one. Clear, highly filtered pour reveals a color that would be robust for a pale lager, but inadequate, IMHO, for an IPA. White, foamy head is initally medium-sized, but quickly disipates to foam, with little lacing. Aroma of lightly peppery/spicy hops and a bit of floral notes, rather dry and almost paper-like. Flavor is more of the same light floral hops, low bitterness and a very plain, base pale malt in the background. Medium body, no real complexity. Little bit of hops crispness on the end. Terrifically boring in my opinion, with more body than actual flavor (lots of watery fullness, but rather bland). I even noted some light alcohol notes in aroma and flavor. Harpoon has rather markedly turned itself in to another Sam Adams. It’s lower flavor profile, and low bitterness are more appealing to the masses. They have great quality control, but with that filtration and pasteurisation, I feel they lose much that gives a beer that "microbrew" feeling. That’s fine, and more power to them, but it’s not for me.