Harpoon Winter Warmer
Harpoon Brewery, Boston, MA. / 5.9% ABV
Tradition: The transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation, or the fact of being passed on in this way.
The Holiday Season is upon us and many families around NEPA and around the world are steeped in
traditions that date back through many generations. From Jolly Old St. Nicholas to adorning the top of the tree with a star, year after year we all feel the need to keep up with old family traditions. We decorate the house, put up the tree and maybe even a platform with an old Lionel train. I actually have an old Lionel that my mother gave to my father for their first Christmas together. Don’t ask me the exact year, but it was in the mid 1940’s. Through the years, my family has kept with several holiday traditions that I still practice to this day. For example, I have these three little cloth elves that go back to my grandmothers day. These elves date back to the early 1920’s and look like the current Elf on a Shelf that is being sold today. Um, I wonder where they got the idea for the shelf sitting elf?
Every year, someone in the family has to hide these elves somewhere on or in the Christmas tree after all of the lights and decorations have been carefully placed. Then as the days go past leading up to Christmas Day, we have to find these elusively placed pixies. When you see one you yell out to let everyone know that you found one. My son Greg has become an expert in hiding these imps. There have actually been years that no one in the family could find at least one of these. It’s always a mystery.
Another tradition that I have is the placing of the “Alien Eye” ornaments. These two ancient bulbs are about as big as a softball and have three huge eye like decorations adorning their three sides. Before any other ornaments go on, I bring in the Alien Eyes and carefully place them on the tree. These two decorations actually date back to the early 1900’s as well. Just to let you know, my wife hates these ornaments. Every year she asks my why do we have to put these ugly things on the tree? I tell her tradition, it’s a tradition. Over the years I have waited to hear them smash on the floor followed by an oops. It would be like the leg lamp in the Christmas Story getting mysteriously broken. They are fragile’.
Along with all of our holiday traditions, I always like to make sure that I have a tasty traditional winter beer on hand for family and friends. One of my favorites is Harpoon Winter Warmer. This winter brew is crafted by the Harpoon Brewery in Boston, Massachusetts. Harpoon was started in 1986 by three friends, Dan Kenary, Rich Doyle and George Ligeti who loved drinking beer together but found that their choices were somewhat limited. In June of 1987, a warehouse on the Boston waterfront was transformed into a brewery where they could brew good beers and drink them with friends. This would be the location of where the first Harpoon Ale was made. Since then, Harpoon Brewery has come a long way. While they kept their original trade mark beer the same, Harpoon now has several brews including seasonal offerings such as their tasty Winter Warmer.
THE REVIEW
Sight: When you pour your Harpoon Winter Warmer you will see a beautiful dark copper color with a soft white head that pours about an inch and a half thick. The head will dissipate quickly so make sure you get your fill of this eye candy. Even though this beer looks dark, it is still transparent through the entire glass.
Aroma: In the true tradition of a Winter Warmer style beer, Harpoon has blended several spices together to create a heavenly aroma. When you take your first sniff, you will get the aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and a little ginger along with strong toasted malt. It is almost like smelling fresh gingerbread coming out of the oven.
Taste: As for the taste, let me say it is just as good as the aroma. At first sip you will get hit with the cinnamon and nutmeg followed by the clove and then a slight back note of ginger. The after taste combines all of these flavors together along with a smooth toasted malt ending. As you continue to sip this Winter Warmer you will continue to enjoy its complex flavors even more.
Overall, Harpoon Winter Warmer is one of my favorite beers to sip on Christmas Eve while enjoying the lit tree with all of the gifts piled high around it. Of course there are Christmas songs on to heighten the Holiday mood. There is nothing like relaxing by the tree with a cold Winter Warmer.
I would highly recommend that you give this beer a try, you won’t be disappointed. Harpoon also makes a few other good winter beers like Chocolate Stout (5.9% ABV), Czernobog Russian Imperial Stout (10.0% ABV) and UFO Gingerland (5.2%ABV). You can pick up Harpoon Winter Warmer at any of our wonderful local beer distributors.
5= Outstanding
4= Very Good
3= Good
2=Fair
1=Skunk
No comments:
Post a Comment