Beer Forum

So I just bought a six pack of Harpoon IPA. What a piece of shit beer. It tastes very similar to Bud, with SLIGHTLY more hop flavor. Very, very weak beer, and it's not even 1/2 of an APA, let alone an IPA. Just warning you guys that may be tempted to experient with IPA's. I don't even think I can drink the rest. I'll just put it with the Redbridge and every time I see them it will piss me off all over again. Piece of shit!!

Wow. I've had this too but don't remember it being nearly as terrible as you describe.

What are some of the IPAs you like?

Harpoon IPA doesn't age well, how old was it?

don't forget the beer has been on the market for 15 years, it's not going to compare in pure hoppiness to the ever increasing levels in a new IPA

BrewerB wrote:Wow. I've had this too but don't remember it being nearly as terrible as you describe.

What are some of the IPAs you like?

While not technically an IPA, I love Bell's 2hearted. My norm IPAs are Avery and Bridgeport. I live on the East coast and I don't have access to all the kick ass hoppy beers that you guys do.

It could have been old and some hop flavor could have fallen out, but It just tasted way too much like bud to me. Even without the hoppiness, it was just lacking, a lot. Hops aside, it was just boring. IMO of course. I like regularly hopped beers too, but I just don't get how they claim that to be an IPA. What the hell do I know? I'm no judge or anything.

yellowthere wrote:While not technically an IPA, I love Bell's 2hearted. My norm IPAs are Avery and Bridgeport.

Those are all great IPAs, IMO too. And I'm certainly not defending Harpoon as its way down the list on my IPA favorites.

You have access to Firestone Walker? Their Union Jack IPA is awesome.

I thought 2Hearted was an IPA? One of the best examples of the BJCP style if memory serves me right...

While it's not the greatest IPA, you must have got a bad batch or an old batch. I had some a few months ago and it wasn't that bad. Definitely drinkable.

I thought 2Hearted was an IPA as well ... and yeah, BJCP lists it as an example of IPA.

I thought 2Hearted was an IPA? One of the best examples of the BJCP style if memory serves me right...[/quote]

I'll keep an eye out for the firestone walker IPA. It certainly appears that 2HA is an IPA, I've just never heard it called that. The verbage on their sixers and mini-kegs are not particularly "chatty". Funny that of all the bell's in NC the 2HA is the cheapest. I don't understand it, but I'm not complaining. I'm actually brewing an AG recipe of 2HA tomorrow. 5 oz of centential....hmmmm.

Thanks for the tip on firestone walker, I think I've seen it around.

Harpoon IPA is not my favorite, by a long shot, but it isnt that bad, I think you must have gotten a bad batch. My summer roommate works for them and brings home free beer once in a while, so I have some very fresh Harpoon IPA at home, I will have to try it when I get home for a more accurate report... I know there is a little bit of hop aroma, not too much, and definitely some flavor there. It is a pretty good palate cleanser, if nothing else.

I will say that harpoon has some other good beers. Just the Harpoon Ale is pretty good, it was their first beer but soon overshadowed by their IPA. It is almost a little wheat-y. It is nice. Their Munich Dark is actually really, really nice. it is their poorest seller, because people see its color and expect it to be a stout, and it isnt, so people get confused. it is good, try it if you get a chance. I have more recently been drinking their Leviathan Triticus, which is their first in their Leviathan series, which is a big beer series, and it is a high ABV wheat-barleywine, and it is delicious. And a blend of 3:1 Munich Dark:Triticus is also really good.

I will say - Harpoon UFO is my very least favorite beer they sell, and it is one of their biggest sellers. And dont even try their raspberry UFO - it tastes like Raspberry juice...