Did Harp Lager change?

How does Harp Lager compare to the Guinness Blonde that is now being brewed in Baltimore? Would there be any reason to choose Blonde over the other, or over any other pale lager?

 

For some reason, they decided to mess with the original recipe. It became just another of the 1,000 or so, non-descript, tasteless beers. Recently they decided to go sort of back to the original brew, just not all the way. Why? who knows. It was a niche beer from day one and they should have left alone. Been drinking it since the Seventies. Save your money. Guinness Blonde is Sam Adams Boston Lager with a different label and a higher price tag. Bland and tasteless.

 

I don't entirely understand. SA Boston Lager is a Vienna-style lager with a strong caramel emphasis. How does the Blonde compare? I also find some bottles of SABL to be too flavorful, I.E. bitter and flowery, and not balanced in any good way.

 

Yeah that has to be a typo because they taste and look nothing alike.

 

I recently saw new packaging for Harp. It's now got a white and blue label with red trim. Does this mean what's IN the bottle has changed, again. Years, ago, it used to be in all green and it was GREAT! Then, it became this "pilsner" style that even my local Irish bartender would NOT make a half and half, with! What does it profess to be NOW, and is it like it used to be???

 

He's just flat out wrong. They taste nothing alike. Boston Lager has much more biscuit/caramel malt and noble hop flavor plus it has that typical lager crispy/dryness. Guinness Blonde Ale has more of a honey malt flavor with a subtle fruity note from the mosaic addition and (presumably) the ale yeast.

 

God I hope so

 

Harps ok, I haven’t had one in forever, but I liked it well enough. But I’d be leery of judging one off buying off a singles shelf.

 

I'm working my way through a 6pack now. I haven't seen it in years but I do like this newish rendition.

 

Good at descriptions?

I just remember Harp and a Sam Smith lager (from the early 90s or so) having odd malt characters -- at least compared to most German imports.

 

I'm drinking a different beer right now but when I'm finished with it, I will pop the cap on another Harp. One thing that I will say, it doesn't taste very adjunctish to me.

Edit: The beer I'm drinking now is a Blonde Milk Stout with Coffee and Cacao.

 

You know, the malt and hop profile does remind me of Samuel Smith Pure Brewed Organic Lager. Some sweetness with a hint of fruitiness, light grassy hops. I reckon that is why I like this Harp. Shrugs.

 

Same ^
Could use more malt flavor, IMHO .
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/209/862/?ba=mikeinportc#review

 

I haven't seen Harp for at least two years in any stores around me. Only rarely see Smithwick's anymore either.

I used to drink Harp occasionally, would love to try it again if I could find it.

 

Last time I saw Harp it was on the bottom side of a Black and Tan smothered in Guiness. It was Damn good.

 

Half and half. Just sayin'. Again.

 

Lol, ok, but its called both in most places, and I lost my special drizzle spoon. I love when the Harp breaks thru the Guinness.

 

Guinness and Bass is what I remember a B & T being.

 

Me too, might be a regional thing.

 

I haven't had Harp in a long time but I assume that it's just as shitty as it always was - one step above AAL.