Whats the consesus on Harpoon?

They've been surprising me lately, the Chocolate Stout they put out is pretty awesome. I really enjoy their Winter Warmer too.

 

haha i work until 4 so i'm used to being up late. we got out a bit early so i was bumming around on here for a bit before bed. and thank you.

i understand why they have the distribution that they do, i just think the new england beer drinker--casual or beer geek--misses out on a lot of other beers in the area. on long island, we're fortunate enough to have a bunch of great local breweries that find tap space in a lot of non-craft venues, so we have a decent amount of variety. maybe i'm spoiled?

 

There's plenty of good beer to go around in New England so it's their own loss if they can't look past Harpoon (or Magic Hat/Shipyard/Long Trail etc...) to try something new. I've never thought of Long Island as being spoiled for beer in all the times I've been down there visiting family but it's definitely not bad. I can tell you the typical grocery store in NH has a better selection than the ones I've been to down there and when I'm only there for a few days to see family the last thing I want to do is drive around trying to find a store that has a decent selection. I've been to one chain-type beer bar in Farmingdale though so thats certainly better than nothing.

 

I like some of Harpoon's beers (IPA and the O-Fest in particular) but agree that most of the regular lineup is strong but unspectacular. A couple in the 100 Barrel Series were outstanding, though: Oyster Stout and the Ginger Wheat. The fact that Harpoon is found practically everywhere, I think, is a good thing not a negative. I also like how the company gives back to the community through a number of charities. I'll continue to buy Harpoon (and I'm a long-timer to craft).

 

the glacial harvest wet hop is probably the one Harpoon brew that stands out for me. tasty.

 

well we're not michigan or anything but we have blue point almost everywhere, and plenty of other breweries like port jeff and spider bite that are now popping up with support from people in the area. maybe i just havent been out enough in new england but it seems like every non-craft beer bar i go to has boston lager and maybe harpoon ipa on tap, and then the normal lineup of big-time corporate brews.

 

I'll have a Rich and Dan's Rye IPA any day.
The rest of their standard offerings, no thanks.

 

I liked their Summer Kolsch and White IPA. The IPA is good but not great, but still a better choice than Coors Light. I give them credit for their seasonal fests and the whole city loves them.