Harpoon Chocolate Stout

THE POUR: Harpoon Chocolate Stout poured dark and opaque topped with a thin brown head with almost a twinge of purple

THE AROMA: The beer smelled strongly of roasted malts and an occasional sniff of chocolate.

THE TASTE: Good bitter flavor, likely from the roasted malt. Hop flavor is not very present, not should it be in this style. The chocolate gives the taste an added element of sweetness.

THE DECISION: Very good beer, would go great with a piping hot bowl of chili or beef stew. I’ve seen it suggested to top  a bowl of vanilla ice cream, I’d prefer Hershey’s Syrup.

THE GRADE: A-

Beer Stats:

16 degrees Plato, 190 EBC, 5.9% ABV, 40IBU

From Harpoon Brewery – Chocolate Stout

Harpoon Ginger Wheat

THE POUR: Pours a clear pale gold with foamy head. Small bubbles of carbonation float to the surface as the head settles to a thin later.

THE AROMA: Greeted by the sweet aroma of honey. Strong scent of ginger, awakening the nose.

THE TASTE: The taste is of a mild wheat beer at first, with the ginger appearing boldly towards the end of a sip. The ginger obscures any other flavors, almost overpowering.

THE DECISION: I like ginger in foods, and I now know I do not like ginger in beers. Lots of potential, but I can’t get past that single flavor.

THE GRADE: B-

This beer is #29 in Harpoon’s 100 Barrel Series, a limited production of specialty beer styles.

Magic Hat – Black as Night Winter Lager

THE POUR: This beer poured a thick inky black. Virtually no light was visible through the glass. A foamy, khaki-colored head topped the pour, but settled to a thinner layer.

THE AROMA: Virtually no scent to this lager, just a small sniff of sweetness.

THE TASTE: Thin mouthfeel and lightly carbonated. It tastes strongly of roasted malts with some bitterness.

THE DECISION: Surprisingly dark for a lager, I am reminded more of a mild porter. Still, I’m a dark beer fan in these colder months, regardless of style.

THE GRADE: B