In a blind tasting by BJCP trained experts, this beer rated
81
Harpoon Brewery Harpoon IPA
Aroma: “Interestingly complex and subtle nose of malt sweetness, musky hops character, and slight fruit notes. Slight grapefruit note as it starts to warm up, but not overly fruity.”
Flavor: “Orange zest, grapefruit, slight lemon, and pine up front, followed by a round malt body and then a moderate bitterness. The hops provide some earthy complexity. Slight malt, biscuit note up front that leads to a medium piney hops flavor. Moderate bitterness in the aftertaste. High carbonation creates a slight bite, but that isn’t distracting. Some of the aromatic mustiness comes through in the flavor—from the hops?”
Overall: “The more I drank this beer the more I enjoyed it, but the beer seemed to struggle to find itself. Light bodied and refreshing, it doesn’t overwhelm the palate, but a cloying bitterness appears after the sip—I’d like more of the piney hops flavor and a bit less of the bitterness.”