Beer pick of the week: Harpoon Firth of Forth Ale
June 17th, 2008 by Jeff Holland in Drink
Firth of Forth Ale
Harpoon 100 Barrel Series #22
Harpoon Brewery
Boston, MA
5.4% ABV
This limited edition Scottish ale was guest brewed by Steve Stewart, who interned at Harpoon in 1998 before returning to his native Scotland and eventually starting his own brewery. Harpoon has released a new beer in this series, so you can find No. 22 on sale at Green’s for a very reasonable price.
It pours a deep chestnut brown with an aroma of sweet caramel malts and some floral hops. The flavor profile emphasizes the bready, caramel malts, along with toffee, maple and weak coffee. A peat-like smokiness and lingering nuttiness add layers of complexity. There’s a whisper of plum/fig fruitiness, but overall the taste is musty rather than fruity. Moderate grassy, earthy hops are just enough to counter the malt. Velvety smooth, substantial without being syrupy, flavorful without being showy, the Firth of Forth Ale is a very pleasant and drinkable Scottish ale. I can imagine tossing back a few of these from a flagon in a dank Scottish castle.
(Photo by Jeff Holland)
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