#11, 12, 13, Ben

Beer Advocate has taken away their state listings on beer reviews? Makes things a little more annoying, but oh well. Things will work out.

#11
Beer: Harpoon IPA
Brewery: Harpoon Brewery, Massachusetts
Category: American IPA
Date Drank: 3/1/09
Grade: B-
Location purchased/drank: The Cheesecake Factory
Served from a: Tap

This was one my beer. This is my gateway beer to beer snobbery. And it is still a delicious and refreshing beer. But, since I have matured in my tastes, there is nothing special or defining about this beer anymore. for me. Certainly, if you haven't had it, try it, but there are better examples and variations. This is a starter beer, I suppose. It is what an IPA is supposed be, hoppy and with citrus flavor. This is the first beer that Beth called a Ben-beer.

#12
Beer: Unearthly IPA
Brewery: Southern Tier Brewing Company, New York
Category: Double IPA
Date Drank: 3/2/09
Grade: A-
Location purchased/drank: The Independent
Served from a: Tap

Solid, solid beer. Funny to review this after the Harpoon. I love Imperials/Double IPAs. They have the flavor profile on an IPA (well, doubled), but they beef it up with body, like malt. On top of that, it is high in alcohol. So, it is quite the drinking experience. I love that the Independent always has one of this style on top. Looking at the picture from BA, I have seen the bottle for sale before at Whole Foods. Maybe I will put two and two together and try to buy this at some time, for person use at home.

#13
Beer: Double Simcoe IPA
Brewery: Weyerbacher Brewing Co., Pennsylvania
Category: Double IPA
Date Drank: 3/2/09
Grade: B
Location purchased/drank: The Independent
Served from a: Tap

I had had this before, and enjoyed it, but drinking it right after the Unearthly, you realize how much more this beer could be. It certainly had less body to it, and it had a piney taste. Which is fine, but it certainly distracted from the bigger drinking picture. As the Unearthly went down so smooth, every time you took a sip of this one, you said to yourself, "Oh yeah, this is what I am drinking." I like beers that want to be your friend and not be the center of attention.

Harpoon Brewery: Harpoon India Pale Ale

Beer: Harpoon India Pale Ale
Brewery: Harpoon Brewery, Massachusetts
Category: India Pale Ale

The Drinker: Ben

Grade: B+

Location purchased/drank: Bought by a friend/Home

Served from a : Bottle

The Drink: Light like a lager, but hoppy like an ale. Very tart and bitter taste, but well rounded and not unpleasant. Floral, sweet aroma, beautiful light-tan body.

Notes: This was my first New England beer. Though I now have more preferred beers, and there are certainly better beers, this beer to me is what an India Pale Ale should be.

Harpoon Brewery: Harpoon Winter Warmer

Beer: Harpoon Winter Warmer
Brewery: Harpoon Brewery, Massachusetts
Category: Winter Seasonal

The Drinker: Ben

Grade: B-

Location purchased/drank: The Field

Served from a : Tap

The Drink: Nutmeg. Light body with a tan color. Malty, but nutmeg. Some other winter spices, perhaps cinnamon and spruce. It was drinkable and enjoyable, but be prepared for nutmeg.

Notes: With Beth and company after her store's holiday meeting. It was crowded in the Central Square bar, with patrons at the bar not caring to move as a ordered. It was my second drink of the night. It was good, though Beth liked it more. Nutmeg burps, afterwords.