Boston Irish Stout
Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall
Beer Geek Stats:
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- Irish Dry Stout
Ranked #62 - ABV:
- 4.3%
- Score:
- 85
Ranked #23,985 - Avg:
- 3.81 | pDev: 11.81%
- Reviews:
- 19
- Ratings:
- From:
- Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall
- Massachusetts, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating
- Wants
- 15
- Gots
- 40
SCORE
85
Very Good
85
Very Good
Notes:
Boston Irish Stout is a traditional dry Irish stout. Full-bodied but sessionable with a creamy texture (derived from the nitro pour), it combines the roasted character of six malts with delicate Willamette hops.
30 IBUs
30 IBUs
Reviews: 19
| Ratings: 167
| Log in to view all ratings and sort
3.47/5 rDev -8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
On tap. Poured out an opaque, jet black color with a small, tan head of foam. It smelled of roasted malt, coffee and toffee. Nice roasted taste with milk chocolate sweetness.
174 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
On tap. Poured out an opaque, jet black color with a small, tan head of foam. It smelled of roasted malt, coffee and toffee. Nice roasted taste with milk chocolate sweetness.
174 characters
3.16/5 rDev -17.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
This beer is NOT even remotely dry. Not bad but a bit thin and viscous when it shouldn't be. Victory's Donnybrook is a much better example and even lower in alcohol.
165 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
This beer is NOT even remotely dry. Not bad but a bit thin and viscous when it shouldn't be. Victory's Donnybrook is a much better example and even lower in alcohol.
165 characters
4/5 rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into an English pint glass, the appearance was layered as expected - black at the bottom fulfilling the tan to brown three finger-ed middle indicating the nitro pour to flow through as it should and then a soft finger and a half of a level eggshell white color for a head. Glistening lovely stringy yet sliding lace. The aroma had a luscious sweet to roasty blend of milk chocolate, roasted malts, sweet cream and a touch of vanilla at the end. The flavor blended the previously mentioned flavors to boot and had it wrap into the aftertaste and slide into the finish. On the palate, this one sat about a medium on the body. Sorry, Harpoon, I don’t find this to be full bodied. Makes for a great session. ABV felt spot on as the brewer suggests. Overall, practically perfect as an Irish dry stout
804 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into an English pint glass, the appearance was layered as expected - black at the bottom fulfilling the tan to brown three finger-ed middle indicating the nitro pour to flow through as it should and then a soft finger and a half of a level eggshell white color for a head. Glistening lovely stringy yet sliding lace. The aroma had a luscious sweet to roasty blend of milk chocolate, roasted malts, sweet cream and a touch of vanilla at the end. The flavor blended the previously mentioned flavors to boot and had it wrap into the aftertaste and slide into the finish. On the palate, this one sat about a medium on the body. Sorry, Harpoon, I don’t find this to be full bodied. Makes for a great session. ABV felt spot on as the brewer suggests. Overall, practically perfect as an Irish dry stout
804 characters
4/5 rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On nitro pour at The Old Toad in Rochester, NY.
This one pours a fairly dark black sheen, classic nitro look, with the cascading bubbles and all that. There's a tight white head, and lots of lacing.
This smells pretty nice- smokey, roasted malt, slight dark fruitiness, and dark espresso.
I don't usually love nitro stouts, as they tend to dull and water down the flavors. I can tell that's going on here, to a certain extent. However the flavors that survived the nitro-ing are nice. There's some lightly smoke and heavily roasted malt, and a great creamy lactose flavors, and a very light raisiny sweetness.
This has the classic nitro feel, fluffy and creamy, but ultimately thin.
This is a really solid version of the style. It's much, much better than Guinness and the like.
783 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On nitro pour at The Old Toad in Rochester, NY.
This one pours a fairly dark black sheen, classic nitro look, with the cascading bubbles and all that. There's a tight white head, and lots of lacing.
This smells pretty nice- smokey, roasted malt, slight dark fruitiness, and dark espresso.
I don't usually love nitro stouts, as they tend to dull and water down the flavors. I can tell that's going on here, to a certain extent. However the flavors that survived the nitro-ing are nice. There's some lightly smoke and heavily roasted malt, and a great creamy lactose flavors, and a very light raisiny sweetness.
This has the classic nitro feel, fluffy and creamy, but ultimately thin.
This is a really solid version of the style. It's much, much better than Guinness and the like.
783 characters
3.41/5 rDev -10.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Had on tap on Saturday, nitro pour. Has that typical look that one would expect from a nitro stout: dark brown body, cascading bubbles, tight white head that leaves dollops of lacing.
Smell is, as the style on nitro, pretty muted. Some sweetness and hints of roasted malt, touch of lactose. Taste fairs a bit better, nice roastiness in the middle, bitter and charred end. Nice velvety mouthfeel and fairly light body.
Overall it's a nice beer, but the nitro mutes the flavor. It's a bit stronger than Guinness but not by much.
528 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Had on tap on Saturday, nitro pour. Has that typical look that one would expect from a nitro stout: dark brown body, cascading bubbles, tight white head that leaves dollops of lacing.
Smell is, as the style on nitro, pretty muted. Some sweetness and hints of roasted malt, touch of lactose. Taste fairs a bit better, nice roastiness in the middle, bitter and charred end. Nice velvety mouthfeel and fairly light body.
Overall it's a nice beer, but the nitro mutes the flavor. It's a bit stronger than Guinness but not by much.
528 characters
5/5 rDev +31.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
An all around Irish stout, goes good with a burger, fries, or a stake . It has a great aroma and goes down smoothly, too bad you can only get it at the brewery due to its high notorious content haha, but definitely a treat of Boston, Ma
237 characters
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
An all around Irish stout, goes good with a burger, fries, or a stake . It has a great aroma and goes down smoothly, too bad you can only get it at the brewery due to its high notorious content haha, but definitely a treat of Boston, Ma
237 characters
3.91/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Beautiful stout served on nitro: bold and black, with a dark tan head.
Aroma is roasted barley goodness, and flavor follows. There's just a touch of char, and waves of roast - likened to bitter chocolate and cold coffee - come across. Touches of dark fruit and bread occasionally peak through. I'm surprised at how much flavor this beer packs in - and how good that flavor is.
Many high ABV beers come across as lighter and lower; this is a beer that punches up, instead. It has the character and flavor of a brew easily 6-7%, but in a traditional low ABV package. It would make an excellent day drinking stout/porter, and an excellent upgrade over Guinness if you're looking for something lighter, simple, dark, and flavorful.
729 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Beautiful stout served on nitro: bold and black, with a dark tan head.
Aroma is roasted barley goodness, and flavor follows. There's just a touch of char, and waves of roast - likened to bitter chocolate and cold coffee - come across. Touches of dark fruit and bread occasionally peak through. I'm surprised at how much flavor this beer packs in - and how good that flavor is.
Many high ABV beers come across as lighter and lower; this is a beer that punches up, instead. It has the character and flavor of a brew easily 6-7%, but in a traditional low ABV package. It would make an excellent day drinking stout/porter, and an excellent upgrade over Guinness if you're looking for something lighter, simple, dark, and flavorful.
729 characters
4.84/5 rDev +27%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
Served on cask, fresh today at Maverick Marketplace cafe in East Boson.
Hits all the right expectations for a light, easy drinking sessional irish style stout. The cask delivery smooths out the flavor profile and brings coffee and slight chocolate to the foreground. Delicious!
280 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
Served on cask, fresh today at Maverick Marketplace cafe in East Boson.
Hits all the right expectations for a light, easy drinking sessional irish style stout. The cask delivery smooths out the flavor profile and brings coffee and slight chocolate to the foreground. Delicious!
280 characters
3.62/5 rDev -5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
On tap at Main Pub, served in 16 ounce pint glass
L - black with a thick foamy head that's sticks to the side of the glass
A - nutty with coffee and malt
T - coffee with light malty sweetness
F - thin and light
Overall a good stout in terms of smell, look and flavor, but leaves me wanting a slightly stronger flavors and bitterness on the finish - shouldn't complain too much as it achieves its goal of being a sessionable stout
431 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
On tap at Main Pub, served in 16 ounce pint glass
L - black with a thick foamy head that's sticks to the side of the glass
A - nutty with coffee and malt
T - coffee with light malty sweetness
F - thin and light
Overall a good stout in terms of smell, look and flavor, but leaves me wanting a slightly stronger flavors and bitterness on the finish - shouldn't complain too much as it achieves its goal of being a sessionable stout
431 characters
4.36/5 rDev +14.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
this is not retired, but it is a pilot. served at harpoon brewery on tap daily.
A: opaque dark brown that turns black as nitro bubbles dissipate. thick creamy white head
S: mild sweet coffee
T: much like guinness. creamy, smooth, coffee, cocoa, sweet roasted malt, molasses
F: super smooth, thick - medium body, silky
O: delicious. highly recommend
354 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
this is not retired, but it is a pilot. served at harpoon brewery on tap daily.
A: opaque dark brown that turns black as nitro bubbles dissipate. thick creamy white head
S: mild sweet coffee
T: much like guinness. creamy, smooth, coffee, cocoa, sweet roasted malt, molasses
F: super smooth, thick - medium body, silky
O: delicious. highly recommend
354 characters
4/5 rDev +5%
Serving: On-tap (nitro) at brew hall
Served: 6 September 2014
Appearance: Pours a great dark brown almost black color with a creamy nitro head. Looks almost identical to a Guinness draft. 4/5
Smell: Oppressively clean, like most Irish dry stouts, but slight hints of roasted maltiness and slight notes of French roasted coffee, just enough to make it better than average. 4/5
Taste: Wow, a magnificent craft brewed Irish Dry Stout. This is what Guinness should taste like. The beer has the same light silkiness as Guinness but significantly more flavor from the roasted malts, lending notes of dark chocolate, French roasted coffee, and slight burnt toast notes (but in a good way). Semi-dry finish. 45
Mouthfeel: Light and silky, especially from the nitro. 4/5
Overall: One of Harpoon's best. 4/5
802 characters
Serving: On-tap (nitro) at brew hall
Served: 6 September 2014
Appearance: Pours a great dark brown almost black color with a creamy nitro head. Looks almost identical to a Guinness draft. 4/5
Smell: Oppressively clean, like most Irish dry stouts, but slight hints of roasted maltiness and slight notes of French roasted coffee, just enough to make it better than average. 4/5
Taste: Wow, a magnificent craft brewed Irish Dry Stout. This is what Guinness should taste like. The beer has the same light silkiness as Guinness but significantly more flavor from the roasted malts, lending notes of dark chocolate, French roasted coffee, and slight burnt toast notes (but in a good way). Semi-dry finish. 45
Mouthfeel: Light and silky, especially from the nitro. 4/5
Overall: One of Harpoon's best. 4/5
802 characters
4.38/5 rDev +15%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
On tap at Rattle n Hum, NYC. First impression, under the nose, is a very slight charcol/smokeness. I find it a bit light in texture, as it's late summer, that's a good thing. The flavor is full & rich, as is the head. Lacing is a bit sparse. Not the usual coffe/chocolate forward stout, this is much truer to the toasty malty flavors that made stout the worldwide drink that it is.
March 2015 Nitro at Rattle n Hum. Quite a difference. Way more body, aroma is bigge on the coffee front & of course the lacing is photo worthy.
527 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
On tap at Rattle n Hum, NYC. First impression, under the nose, is a very slight charcol/smokeness. I find it a bit light in texture, as it's late summer, that's a good thing. The flavor is full & rich, as is the head. Lacing is a bit sparse. Not the usual coffe/chocolate forward stout, this is much truer to the toasty malty flavors that made stout the worldwide drink that it is.
March 2015 Nitro at Rattle n Hum. Quite a difference. Way more body, aroma is bigge on the coffee front & of course the lacing is photo worthy.
527 characters
4.14/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
This is the slowest settling head I've ever seen. Deep brown color where light passes along the edges. Thick, rich beige head that remains throughout the tasting. There's a blanket of lace that slides down the glass slowly after every sip.
Near burnt toast aroma. Not as coffee-ish as many dry stouts, but still very appealing.
The flavor is more burnt than the smell but still no coffee. The body is good or the style with an elevated carbonation level. The aftertaste is of burnt toast.
492 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
This is the slowest settling head I've ever seen. Deep brown color where light passes along the edges. Thick, rich beige head that remains throughout the tasting. There's a blanket of lace that slides down the glass slowly after every sip.
Near burnt toast aroma. Not as coffee-ish as many dry stouts, but still very appealing.
The flavor is more burnt than the smell but still no coffee. The body is good or the style with an elevated carbonation level. The aftertaste is of burnt toast.
492 characters
4.04/5 rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
a. Chocolate brown color with 3 fingers of brown foam.
s. Smells are a bit faint, but malt is driving the bus.
t. Excellent Irish stout. Great Malt flavor not overpowering. Very easy drinking.
m. Great carbonation
o. This stout is balanced and excellent tasting.
267 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
a. Chocolate brown color with 3 fingers of brown foam.
s. Smells are a bit faint, but malt is driving the bus.
t. Excellent Irish stout. Great Malt flavor not overpowering. Very easy drinking.
m. Great carbonation
o. This stout is balanced and excellent tasting.
267 characters
4/5 rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured and drunk at the Harpoon beer hall. The beer has a lot of tan head that dissipates ata moderate pace. Since the beer is nitro-based, the head comes into different kinds. The head foam is creamy and a very light tan that resembles a off-white cream. The other foam is the nitrogen disappearing into the beer and has a darker brown color and different bubbly texture. After the nitrogen dissipates, the beer is an opaque milk chocolate brown. The beer has a chocolate milk smell with dairy notes and a bit of the nitro as well. The taste is similar in that a chocolate milk taste dominates the flavor with very light notes of cocoa and cream. The beer has a very smooth feel with very little carbonation.
709 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured and drunk at the Harpoon beer hall. The beer has a lot of tan head that dissipates ata moderate pace. Since the beer is nitro-based, the head comes into different kinds. The head foam is creamy and a very light tan that resembles a off-white cream. The other foam is the nitrogen disappearing into the beer and has a darker brown color and different bubbly texture. After the nitrogen dissipates, the beer is an opaque milk chocolate brown. The beer has a chocolate milk smell with dairy notes and a bit of the nitro as well. The taste is similar in that a chocolate milk taste dominates the flavor with very light notes of cocoa and cream. The beer has a very smooth feel with very little carbonation.
709 characters
3.83/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
On draft at the Brewery in Windsor, Vermont.
Poured a deep brown hue with a two finger creamy white head. There was very good retention and lacing.
The smell featured roasted malts and a touch of lactose.
The taste was likewise roasty, with elements of charcoal and dark chocolate. A bit on the sweet side for the style and lacked the expected bite.
The mouthfeel was typical of the style.
Overall a very tasty stout.
422 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
On draft at the Brewery in Windsor, Vermont.
Poured a deep brown hue with a two finger creamy white head. There was very good retention and lacing.
The smell featured roasted malts and a touch of lactose.
The taste was likewise roasty, with elements of charcoal and dark chocolate. A bit on the sweet side for the style and lacked the expected bite.
The mouthfeel was typical of the style.
Overall a very tasty stout.
422 characters
3.59/5 rDev -5.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
On-tap 7/30/13 at Pour Farm Tavern in New Bedford, MA, served in a US tumbler pint glass.
A: The beer is a deep black color, with a short off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.
S: The aroma contains roasted malts, some chocolate and touches of coffee and hops.
T: The taste starts with a hearty roasted malt character. Then some mildly sweet flavors of chocolate and coffee come in. The hops presence is very mild but brings some balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet.
M: Smooth and a little crisp, medium body, light-to-medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.
O: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, very mild kick, good representation of style, this is a solid milder stout to drink for a while.
751 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
On-tap 7/30/13 at Pour Farm Tavern in New Bedford, MA, served in a US tumbler pint glass.
A: The beer is a deep black color, with a short off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.
S: The aroma contains roasted malts, some chocolate and touches of coffee and hops.
T: The taste starts with a hearty roasted malt character. Then some mildly sweet flavors of chocolate and coffee come in. The hops presence is very mild but brings some balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet.
M: Smooth and a little crisp, medium body, light-to-medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.
O: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, very mild kick, good representation of style, this is a solid milder stout to drink for a while.
751 characters
4.02/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Served on nitro-tap at Harpoon Brewery Beer Hall in Boston, MA
A: Pours a clear yet opaque very dark brown in color (bordering on black) with minimal amounts of visible carbonation and some dark amber highlights. The beer has a finger tall creamy dark tan head that slowly reduces to a thick film covering the entire surface of the beer and a thick ring at the edges of the glass. Significant amounts of lacing are observed.
S: Moderate aromas of roasted dark malts with some lighter notes of freshly roasted coffee.
T: Upfront there are moderate flavors of roasted dark malts. That is followed by lighter notes of freshly roasted coffee. Moderate amounts of bitterness which linger.
M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Smooth and creamy with a light amount of dryness in the finish.
O: I'm a sucker for a stout on nitro-tap, so I could not resist the opportunity to try this brew when we visited Harpoon's Beer Hall. I thought it was a nice beer and even more enjoyable as the afternoon was quickly getting chilly. Very nice roasted flavors throughout.
1,077 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Served on nitro-tap at Harpoon Brewery Beer Hall in Boston, MA
A: Pours a clear yet opaque very dark brown in color (bordering on black) with minimal amounts of visible carbonation and some dark amber highlights. The beer has a finger tall creamy dark tan head that slowly reduces to a thick film covering the entire surface of the beer and a thick ring at the edges of the glass. Significant amounts of lacing are observed.
S: Moderate aromas of roasted dark malts with some lighter notes of freshly roasted coffee.
T: Upfront there are moderate flavors of roasted dark malts. That is followed by lighter notes of freshly roasted coffee. Moderate amounts of bitterness which linger.
M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Smooth and creamy with a light amount of dryness in the finish.
O: I'm a sucker for a stout on nitro-tap, so I could not resist the opportunity to try this brew when we visited Harpoon's Beer Hall. I thought it was a nice beer and even more enjoyable as the afternoon was quickly getting chilly. Very nice roasted flavors throughout.
1,077 characters
4.1/5 rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Received a pint of dark brown brew with a 1/2 inch cream colored head. Head was thick/dense and left no lace.
Nice dark roasted malt, some coffee notes in the nose.
Nice mellow roasted malt, with a coffee edge. Smooth beer, with a creamy and mild bitter finish.
Fuller bodied, nice carbonation.
Nice surprise in the pub today. Worth a try.
344 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Received a pint of dark brown brew with a 1/2 inch cream colored head. Head was thick/dense and left no lace.
Nice dark roasted malt, some coffee notes in the nose.
Nice mellow roasted malt, with a coffee edge. Smooth beer, with a creamy and mild bitter finish.
Fuller bodied, nice carbonation.
Nice surprise in the pub today. Worth a try.
344 characters
Boston Irish Stout from Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall
Beer rating:
85 out of
100 with
167 ratings
0 characters. We love reviews! Turn your rating into one with ≥ 150 characters.
Explain why you're giving this rating. Your review must discuss the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) and your overall impression in order to indicate that you have legitimately tried the beer. Nonconstructive reviews may be removed without notice and action may be taken on your account.
Close