Harpoon 100 Barrel Series #22
Harpoon Brewery
Boston, MA
5.4% ABV
This limited edition Scottish ale was guest brewed by Steve Stewart, who interned at Harpoon in 1998 before returning to his native Scotland and eventually starting his own brewery. Harpoon has released a new beer in this series, so you may be able to find this one on sale.
It pours a deep chestnut brown with an aroma of sweet caramel malts and some floral hops. The flavor profile emphasizes the bready, caramel malts, along with toffee, maple, and weak coffee. A peat-like smokiness and a lingering nuttiness add layers of complexity. There’s a whisper of plum/fig fruitiness, but overall the taste is musty rather than fruity. A moderate grassy, earthy hops are just enough to counter the malt. This very pleasant and drinkable Scottish ale is velvety smooth, substantial without being syrupy, flavorful without being showy — I can imagine tossing back a few from a flagon in a dank Scottish castle.
This article appears in Jun 18-24, 2008.