Massachusetts Bay Brewing Co.
Harpoon Brewery
Harpoon was officially born on June 19, 1986 when the Massachusetts Bay Brewing Co. was incorporated, though its origins precede the actual date. Rich Doyle wrote the business plan for the Harpoon Brewery during his second year at Harvard Business School. At that time, he was unable to find the variety of beers that were available in Europe, nor the rich beer culture he had enjoyed there. Breweries in the U.S. had changed from being a part of the local community to remote facilities serving national markets. The craft brewing revolution had yet to bloom. Rich teamed up with Dan Kenary and George Ligetti, who also shared a passion for local brewing, to form a company. Harpoon was an early participant in what would become a major resurgence in local, craft brewing in the U.S. The Harpoon Brewery enjoyed this surge in interest, during which time annual production increased nearly 8 times, going from 7,200 barrels to over 55,000. The steady growth of Harpoon, along with an abiding commitment to quality, led to further changes to the brewery in Boston. Starting in 2002, fabrication of a new brewhouse began in Germany. It was later transported to Boston via containers and installation began in late 2002. 2003 saw the first brews from a new, state of the art brewhouse. Having become the largest craft brewer in New England, Harpoon took a page from its early days with the launch of the 100 Barrel Series.
Harpoon IPAABV: 5.9%
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The flagship brand of the brewery! The high hopping of Harpoon IPA is not only noticeable in the nose but especially in the finish. The lingering bitter finish of this beer is not harsh or astringent, but crisp and pronounced. This is created, in part, by dry hopping – a technique that involves adding fresh hops to the conditioning beer to provide a fresh hop aroma. This beer is floral with a medium body and an aggressive, clean hop finish. Tastes great with grilled seafood, Thai food and spicy chicken. |
Harpoon Celtic Irish RedABV: 5.4% |
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This brew is darker in color and has more body than other Irish-style ales. It has a moderate hop finish that, along with the generous amounts of malt, makes for a medium bodied, smooth, rich beer. Try serving Celtic Irish Red with a hearty stew – the beer’s robust character will compliment the bold flavors. |
Harpoon Summer BeerABV: 5% |
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A beer brewed to be enjoyed with summertime activities. It is light, refreshing, and crisp with a dry finish. This Kolsch beer, a top-fermented ale, goes well with a wide variety of foods, including delicate dishes such as salads and seafood. Available April-August. |
Harpoon OctoberfestABV: 5.5% |
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The character and complexity of Harpoon Octoberfest comes from the malt and hops. When looking at a freshly poured pint, you will notice the garnet-red color and firm, creamy head. The beer’s color is from a blend of Munich, chocolate, and pale malt. The thick head results in part from wheat malt added to the grist. The hop aroma of this beer is not overpowering but it is present. Tettnang hops add a subtle spice nose blend with the malt character. This beer is full-bodied, smooth, and malty with a mild bitterness and a soft finish. Try it with pork or sausage for a delicious fall treat. Available August-October. |
Harpoon Winter Warmer ABV: 5.5%
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Winter Warmer was Harpoon’s first seasonal beer. It was designed to be enjoyed during the holiday season. When you bring a glass of this dark copper ale to your lips to take your first sip you will notice the aroma of cinnamon. There is no aromatic hop added that might overpower the distinct spice scent. The medium body of this beer is formed from caramel and pale malts, creating enough body to support the spices without making the beer excessively rich. Bittering hops are added to counter the sweetness of the malt and spice and the finish of the beer is a blend of cinnamon and nutmeg. The combination of these two spices results in a balanced, pumpkin-pie flavor. Serve this festive beer with savory hors d’oerves, duck, and apple or pumpkin pie. Available November-January. |
Harpoon Wintry Mix Pack |
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Replacing the regular Mix Pack during those cold winter months is Harpoon’s Wintry Mix Pack. The package contains Winter Warmer (a dark copper ale blended with cinnamon and nutmeg), UFO Hefeweizen (an American, unfiltered wheat beer), IPA (the flagship brand of the brewery), and Chocolate Stout (a brew with an abundance of chocolate malt and a touch of chocolate only available in this variety pack). |
Harpoon Summer Vacation Mix |
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This is a refreshing mix of some of Harpoon’s best beers! The variety includes three bottles each of Harpoon Summer Beer, Harpoon IPA, UFO, and New! Harpoon Crystal Wheat, a crisp, refreshing wheat beer, filtered for brilliant clarity and found only in the variety pack. This beer is brewed with a hint of lemon essence to balance the tart wheat malt and tastes great with lobster, salads and spicy foods. This is a great variety; perfect for summertime celebrations. |
Harpoon Belgian Pale AleABV: 5.8% |
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Harpoon Belgian Pale Ale is a fusion of Belgian and American brewing styles. The traditional Belgian yeast used for fermentation produces fruity, slightly spicy aromatics. A blend of Pale, Caramel and Munich malts creates a golden amber hue with malty, sweet notes up front. A generous addition of Amarillo hops delivers a floral, citrusy hop character throughout and Apollo hops lend a hint of bitterness to the finish. ABV: 5.8% |
Harpoon Mix Pack |
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A perfect variety of your favorite harpoon and UFO beers including 4 12 oz. bottles of Harpoon IPA, Harpoon Ale, Harpoon Brown Ale, Harpoon Munich Dark, UFO and UFO Raspberry. |
UFO Explorer Mix Pack |
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Beer lovers can try the new UFO White along with our two other un-filtered beers, UFO Hefeweizen and UFO Raspberry Hefeweizen, in the new UFO Explorer Mix Pack! Each 12-pack will offer 4 bottles of each style. Pick up a case, invite your friends over, and enjoy an exploration into the un-filtered life! |
UFO White |
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Brewed with orange peel and a unique blend of spices, UFO White follows in the tradition of refreshing wheat beers that have been brewed in Belgium for over 300 years. Light, crisp, and refreshing, UFO White is the perfect choice for a summer barbecue, a night out with friends or any time you’re thirsting for something a little different. Like UFO Hefeweizen and UFO Raspberry Hefeweizen, UFO White is un-filtered for a more natural taste and appearance. UFO White tastes even more delicious when served with a slice of orange and is a wonderful accompaniment to fish, barbecue and chicken. |
UFO HefeweizenABV: 4.8% |
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UFO is an American, unfiltered wheat beer. Perhaps UFO’s initial sensory perception is also its’ most prominent: a cloudy, golden color and a dense, frothy head; usually served with a lemon. UFO presents an appealing and distinctive visual image. The aroma has a faint but clear citrus-like character which accounts for the Bavarian tradition of serving hefeweizens with a lemon. The lemon accentuates the yeast’s fruity, tart fragrance. The wheat malts and subtle hopping give the beer a mild, delicate flavor. Unlike some imported hefeweizens, UFO does not have the spicy, tropical flavors typical of the European-brewed style. UFO has a soft mouthfeel and a refreshing, light body with a clean finish. This Hefeweizen pairs perfectly with spicy foods and seafood. |
UFO Raspberry HefeweizenABV: 4.8%
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Harpoon’s interpretation of the European practice of adding fruit flavors to wheat beers. It is an enjoyable marriage of beer and fruit. After you have poured half the beer into a tall wheat beer glass, swirl the bottle three times to combine the yeast that may have settled to the bottom. Pour the remaining beer into the glass to create a generous, foamy head. The overall character is a cloudy rose color, fresh raspberry aroma, and fruity flavor, balanced by UFO’s clean, wheat beer taste. The fruity taste makes this brew exceptional with pork, cheeses and chocolate cake. Available Seasonally. |
