The White IPA, a blend of a Belgian wit and American hops, will be released in May, while the Black IPA will be released later this fall. To continue the IPA celebration throughout the year, Harpoon will release limited edition six-packs of two new IPAs: Harpoon White IPA and Harpoon Black IPA. We are excited to hear the stories of our fellow Harpoon IPA fans out there.” Ever since then, Harpoon IPA has been the catalyst for our most memorable experiences here at the brewery. It took all 10 of us working at the brewery to bring the first batch of IPA to life. “Some stories will live in Harpoon legend, like when we first brewed Harpoon IPA back in 1993. “We love telling stories here at the brewery,” Doyle said. Our IPA finds harmony in the combination of hops, malt, and yeast so that no single ingredient dominates the drinking experience. The winner will receive the “Harpoon Experience”, which will guarantee VIP entry to all of Harpoon’s festivals and sporting events at both the Boston and Windsor, Vt., breweries for one year. Submitted stories will be voted on and the winning story will be announced at HarpoonFest, the brewery’s annual summer festival. Stories can include written word, poems, photos, videos or a combination. The contest will collect stories from Harpoon IPA fans via Facebook through May 12. Harpoon is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Harpoon IPA by telling the brewery’s IPA story, and using it as a social marketing opportunity by inviting Harpoon IPA fans to share their own stories in the “Tell Us Your IPA Story” contest. In the words of George Costanza, I’m back, baby, I’m, back! Editor Chris Crowell’s IPA story: I was really into IPAs about five years ago, and then I drifted away, lost the taste or something, and got more into stouts, porters and other seasonals … but this year, a slew of awesome IPAs rekindled my interest. Harpoon IPA has since become the brewery’s bestselling beer and to this day it remains Harpoon’s flagship. It became an instant New England favorite and in 1994 Harpoon IPA became a year-round beer. Harpoon Brewery co-founders Rich Doyle and Dan Kenary were unsure how local drinkers would take to this medium-bodied, hoppy, bitter, copper-colored ale, so they introduced it as a summer seasonal beer. Twenty years ago in Boston, Harpoon IPA was brewed for the first time. Follow him on Twitter at or on Pinterest at Also check out the Beer Nut on Facebook at. Norman Miller is a MetroWest (Mass.) Daily News staff writer. 'We've been believers in it for 20 years and it's been our collective style for two decades now,' Kenary said.ĭoyle said, 'It's been my favorite beer for 20 years now, and I hope its my favorite for another 20 years.' It's interesting to watch where the style is going now, and how much bitterness there is.'īoth Kenary and Doyle say the Harpoon IPA is still their beer of choice. Kenary said, 'We're not folks who like extreme beers.

Even our Leviathan Imperial IPA is 10 percent, but it's balanced.' 'Our goal is to always make sure its balanced. 'There are a lot of beers out there that are extreme for the sake of being extreme,' said Doyle. Harpoon IPA became a year-round beer in 1994, and now Harpoon brews several other IPAs - a Black IPA, a White IPA, Rich & Dan's Rye IPA and the Leviathan Imperial IPA.

Over time, people's palates and tastes changed.' 'There were a lot of folks who had that reaction, and a few months later, it was their favorite beer,' said Kenary. Kenary said he remembers getting letters from people who tried the IPA and didn't like it - at first. In New England, if you wanted an IPA, it was just assumed you meant a Harpoon IPA.' This copper colored ale is floral, medium bodied, with a crisp, refreshing finish. It really sold well and it really took off. Ingredients: Water, Three malts, including a 2-row pale, Northwest Cascade Hops, and Yeast. 'We had people pushing us to make it year-round right away. 'It was very well received and it created a real buzz,' he said. The IPA was popular almost instantaneously, Kenary said. While the IBUs (International bitterness units) are high, it's balanced, so you get the malt side to balance it out.' 'We were the leaders of that,' said Doyle.

He said they wanted to make an IPA with American hops and Harpoon's house yeast to give it a more fruity flavor and aroma. 'We conceptualized it, but Tod really deserves all the credit for creating the beer,' Doyle said.ĭoyle said the only IPAs around at the time were more English-style IPAs, which he wasn't a big fan of.

Hops in harpoon ipa