Harold's '83
Haymarket Beer Co. Pub & Brewery

 

 

Bought @ Beermiscuous. 12 ounce can is right for lunch and Harold's made my lunch better. As with REVZEB (below), I'd like to taste a re-release .

Harold's opens like a classic APA, amber and clear. And then there are the familiar aromatic hops. Not until mid-palate does the honey push its way to the front and the hops, in APA fashion, push back through the finish. This interplay can sit in my mouth any time it wants. I really can't make any suggestions to improve Harold's. Just bring it back, please. Thanks.

Haymarket is one of the local micros I like and should have paid more attention to, but haven't because they don't specialize in Belgians. But, Haymarket does most things correctly over its twelve years. It has a deep portfolio of 328 brews. It manages two very large restaurants; the first helped make Chicago's Fulton District such a success and a latter one in the resort area of Lake Michigan also has its production facility. And the concept behind Harold's is close to great: that with a hand up, brewing can be more inclusive... for Harold's is a really good recipe and shows talent; it just needs Haymarket's helping hand. We all do better when we all do better. Cheers !

Had on tap. Clear brown body with a small short lived cream head. Let this warm up! Smell has malt and honey leading the way, some floral and yeasty tones are pleasant as well though definitely in a supporting role. Taste has more depth to the honey, getting some honeycomb and wildflower influences, gentle almost steam beer like malts meld in nicely, with kisses of dry earth and dark crusty bread. Feel is velvet smooth, light, but never thins out. This was a fun one, would love in spring

Pours a clear copper with a full finger of head. Little residual lacing. Flowery and grassy hop character mixed with honey on the nose. Lightly astringent on the palate, leading to a dry, crisp finish. Moderately full body for the lower ABV range, making it satisfyingly slurpable.

This one came courtesy of @FBarber during NBS BIF #13. It's also got a cool backstory that's worth checking out on YT.
Gorgeous pour that fits in with the honey theme in that it looks like rich amber crisp clean clear honey. That's the colour, and I maintain I'd describe it as such even if it weren't listed as a honey ale! Anyway, crisp clean and clear, ait's capped with a good finger+ of off white foam that sticks to the glass, and sticks around long after I've started trying to come up with words to describe it.

Nose gives me fresh cut grassy hops, some grainy malts. There's a touch of honey sweetness flitting in and out atop the rest of it, but it's not particularly pronounced. As it warms, the hops really open up into a more floral bordering on perfumey.

Flavour is delicate and pleasant. I get a bit more honey here, though it's still not huge, and it's not overly sweet, either. It's clean and mostly high notes, with the sugar of the honey, the floral element from the hops, and a clean crisp refreshing snap that culminates in a mild earthy glow of bitterness.

I may be predisposed to like this, but I also think it's really well done. It hits the spot perfectly on a hot sunny afternoon/evening, and it's one I'd gladly reach for again if it were in my area.

Thanks Frank for sending this my direction!