100 Barrel Series #30 - Island Creek Oyster Stout
Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall

100 Barrel Series #30 - Island Creek Oyster Stout100 Barrel Series #30 - Island Creek Oyster Stout
Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
From:
Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall
 
Massachusetts, United States
Style:
English Stout
ABV:
5.5%
Score:
85
Avg:
3.76 | pDev: 13.03%
Reviews:
182
Ratings:
228
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jun 02, 2019
Added:
Jan 21, 2010
Wants:
  5
Gots:
  16
Brewed by Harpoon brewer Katie Tame, using Island Creek oyster farmer Skip Bennett’s revered Duxbury Bay oysters, this beer has a rich body and smooth mouthfeel derived in part from a combination of roasted barley and chocolate rye malts. The roasted malt notes blend beautifully with the briny, mineral flavors of the Island Creek oysters. An addition of hops adds some bitterness to balance the malt sweetness. This, the 30th installment of the Harpoon 100 Barrel Series, is best enjoyed with a plate full of Island Creek Oysters.

35 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by jbertsch:
Photo of jbertsch
Reviewed by jbertsch from Massachusetts

2.28/5  rDev -39.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
I don't like oysters. Frankly, knowing this was brewed with oysters scares me. And, I like VERY LITTLE seafood. But, I had to give this a try out of curiosity because it seemed creative and I think Harpoon generally does very well with their 100 Barrel Series.

Appearance: Black, with a decent frothy-tan head. Lacing is non-existent.

Aroma: Some bitter chocolate up front mixes with aromas of nuts, salt, and smokiness. The label refers to a "nutty stout" that blends well with the "mineral flavor" of oysters. I think the mineral flavors they speak of are what's giving me a salty aroma.

Taste: Faintly bitter chocolate notes are followed quickly by the minerals they spoke of - I notice it now. It's not overwhelming, but it's still a little off-putting. It's briney. When ice cold, the chocolate is more apparent. When warmed a bit, the briney aftertaste is stronger and lingers.

Mouthfeel: When cold I noticed a lot of carbonation - almost seltzer-like. Those of you who say it's velvety are kidding yourselves. Just because it's a stout doesn't make it so. In fact, the warmer it got, the thinner it tasted.

It's hard to rate this one. On one hand, this is not a stout I want again - however, did they successfully brew a fair stout with oysters without making it taste offensive? Yes, I suppose they did...but was it enjoyable? Not enough for me.

Having this with some American cheese and fig cake helped a lot to get through the bottle. Yes, I happened to have fig cake on hand.... What, you don't?
Feb 24, 2010
More User Ratings:
Photo of izraelc
Reviewed by izraelc from New York

4.5/5  rDev +19.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I had this many years ago and it was wonderful. Oyster stouts are like unicorns. Nobody makes them. Which I understand. Beer brewed with oysters sounds awful but they're not. The brinyness of the oysters adds a real depth to the stout. Phenomenal beer.
Jun 02, 2019
 
Rated: 4 by mkyer from Connecticut

Feb 19, 2017
 
Rated: 3.85 by Zylod from West Virginia

Apr 08, 2016
 
Rated: 3.75 by kjkinsey from Texas

Mar 20, 2015
Photo of Leeadourian
Rated by Leeadourian

4.75/5  rDev +26.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Wonderful. Rich and malty. One of the best.
Jan 16, 2015
 
Rated: 3.96 by Halffast67

Dec 14, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by Crackblind from New York

Dec 09, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Dan269605 from Connecticut

Dec 07, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Techichi from Texas

Nov 18, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by bszern from Massachusetts

Sep 18, 2014
 
Rated: 3.92 by Patlee3324 from Massachusetts

Aug 18, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by wrightst from Maryland

Aug 07, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by zestar from California

Aug 06, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by costanzo_mike from Massachusetts

Jul 17, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by GClarkage from California

Jul 03, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by taospowder from New Mexico

Dec 07, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by Kmlund from Massachusetts

Oct 03, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by swierczt from Connecticut

Sep 04, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by DrFunkenstein from Pennsylvania

Aug 14, 2013
100 Barrel Series #30 - Island Creek Oyster Stout from Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall
Beer rating: 85 out of 100 with 228 ratings