Harpoon IPA
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Tasting Notes
The aroma leads with piney and citrusy hop character — think grapefruit peel and a touch of resin — backed by a clean, bready malt base that keeps things grounded. On the palate, the hop bitterness is assertive but not aggressive, landing somewhere between floral and earthy with a moderate body that carries it through to a dry, mildly bitter finish. It's a well-balanced example of the East Coast take on the style, where the malt backbone gets slightly more respect than it does in West Coast versions.
About the Brewery
Harpoon is based in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been operating since 1986, making it one of the earlier craft breweries to take root on the East Coast. They're closely associated with their IPA, which was among the first commercially produced IPAs in New England and helped define the regional craft scene. Beyond that flagship, they maintain a solid year-round lineup and a well-regarded seasonal series, including their UFO wheat beers and a popular Octoberfest release.
Food Pairings
The moderate bitterness and citrus-forward hops make this a natural match for fish tacos, where the hop oils cut through the richness of fried fish and complement lime-based toppings. A burger with sharp cheddar works well because the malt backbone stands up to the fat while the bitterness scrubs the palate clean between bites. Spicy Thai noodles pair effectively since the hop character echoes the heat without amplifying it. Grilled chicken with herb seasoning — rosemary, thyme — mirrors the piney hop notes and keeps the pairing from veering too rich.
Style Guide
American IPA is defined by prominent hop bitterness, aroma, and flavor derived primarily from American hop varieties — Cascade, Centennial, Simcoe, and their relatives — which tend toward citrus, pine, and tropical fruit rather than the earthy, floral profile of English hops. The style grew out of the American craft beer movement of the 1980s and 90s, drawing loose inspiration from English India Pale Ales but pushing the hop intensity considerably further. ABV typically runs between 6% and 7.5%, though examples like this one sit at the lighter end of that range. It differs from a Double IPA mainly in hop and alcohol intensity, and from a hazy or New England IPA in that it's generally filtered and built around bitterness rather than soft, juicy hop flavor.