Harvard 1636 Ale
Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall

 

Deep brown color and clear. Nearly no head which becomes rim bubbles quickly. Nearly no bubbles.

Sweet with a floral hop bitterness.

Traditional ABA (American Brown Ale) with a drier and darker malt start and a notable hop bitter finish. The body is neutral with a higher carbonation.

 

 

Drank on-tap at The Cambridge Queen's Head, Cambridge, MA
Served in a pint glass

According to my friend that went to Harvard, Harvard 1636 Ale is brewed exclusively for The Cambridge Queen's Head pub, which is located under Memorial Hall in Harvard Square. The pub is accessible only to students and alumni of Harvard University.

As for the beer, it poured a semi-transparent, dark mahogany color. The creamy, light tan, one-finger head quickly faded to a persistent ring of froth.

The aroma was rich and smooth. Chocolate was instantly recognizable, along with toasted malts. Semi-sweet and a touch fruity.

The taste was surprisingly deep and complex. Sweet caramel and toasted malts came through strong up front. Fruity with rich coffee and chocolate notes in the center. The finish was crisp, hoppy and quite dry.

The mouthfeel was amazingly smooth and creamy, especially for the style. Medium-full bodied with a fine, moderate effervescence that blanketed my tongue like a cloud. Unquestionably, this was the most impressive aspect of the beer.

Drinkability was quite good. This is a rich and tasty brew. Definitely one of the best examples of the style I have yet to try. It is definitely worth making friends with a Harvard alum (or sneaking into The Cambridge Queen's Head pub) just to try this beer.