Harpoon 100 Barrel Series brews up summer beer
Mike Partel
Issue date: 7/31/09 Section: Arts & Entertainment
Today I have come to you to discuss a major player in the New England craft beer scene. It is a brand known for giving back to the community and their desire for better beer. I am speaking, of course, of Boston, Massachusetts's Harpoon Brewery. (I had you there for a second, didn't I?)
As one of the first New England craft brewers, Harpoon has its roots in the 1986 dreams of Rich Doyle, when he was still attending Harvard Business School. His desire for community breweries and decent beer had been well established during his trips to Europe, and America's large corporate powerhouses did little for these needs. He resolved himself to the fact the he would have to bring such visions into fruition. As time passed, and the '90s beer revolution took hold, Harpoon expanded into larger spaces and an additional site in Vermont. The years were apparently very kind to "New England's Craft Brewery" as it is still a common sight in many Northeastern beer and liquor stores and drinking establishments.
I have almost forgotten! This week's beer is part of Harpoon's 100 Barrel Series, a limited run recipe that once depleted, is no longer brewed. Some of the popular runs have been reissued as members of the Encore Series. These beers are packaged in 22 oz bomber bottles with a simple, but attractive label including the bottle number, run, gravities and alcohol content. Additionally, they have the signature of the brewer printed between all of the previous statistics. Usually. As #27, the Helles Blond Bock is a sub-style of Bock. Helles suggests a lighter Bock than the traditional Monk-brew and Blond of course indicates that it is lighter in color and occasionally in flavor. As such, this beer style is ideally paired with heavier foods and starches on a pleasant spring or summer day.
The time has now come. After removing the foil and crown, I chose to pour this brew into a footed lager glass. This glass is one of the most basic vessels you can choose from being the exact opposite of the pretentious snifter. Its slender, tall figure allows for large amounts of light to pass through the glass showing off the crystal clear coloration and fine carbonation. Aromas are far less important in this style, but some is not unheard of.
As one of the first New England craft brewers, Harpoon has its roots in the 1986 dreams of Rich Doyle, when he was still attending Harvard Business School. His desire for community breweries and decent beer had been well established during his trips to Europe, and America's large corporate powerhouses did little for these needs. He resolved himself to the fact the he would have to bring such visions into fruition. As time passed, and the '90s beer revolution took hold, Harpoon expanded into larger spaces and an additional site in Vermont. The years were apparently very kind to "New England's Craft Brewery" as it is still a common sight in many Northeastern beer and liquor stores and drinking establishments.
I have almost forgotten! This week's beer is part of Harpoon's 100 Barrel Series, a limited run recipe that once depleted, is no longer brewed. Some of the popular runs have been reissued as members of the Encore Series. These beers are packaged in 22 oz bomber bottles with a simple, but attractive label including the bottle number, run, gravities and alcohol content. Additionally, they have the signature of the brewer printed between all of the previous statistics. Usually. As #27, the Helles Blond Bock is a sub-style of Bock. Helles suggests a lighter Bock than the traditional Monk-brew and Blond of course indicates that it is lighter in color and occasionally in flavor. As such, this beer style is ideally paired with heavier foods and starches on a pleasant spring or summer day.
The time has now come. After removing the foil and crown, I chose to pour this brew into a footed lager glass. This glass is one of the most basic vessels you can choose from being the exact opposite of the pretentious snifter. Its slender, tall figure allows for large amounts of light to pass through the glass showing off the crystal clear coloration and fine carbonation. Aromas are far less important in this style, but some is not unheard of.
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