Comments on: TAP Beer(s) of the Week 19: Harpoon 100-Barrel Island Creek Oyster Stout, Single Hop ESB http://tombedell.com/golf/golf/lifestyle/540/tap-beers-of-the-week-19-harpoon-100-barrel-island-creek-oyster-stout-single-hop-esb/ Tue, 08 May 2012 15:51:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Tom Bedell http://tombedell.com/golf/golf/lifestyle/540/tap-beers-of-the-week-19-harpoon-100-barrel-island-creek-oyster-stout-single-hop-esb/comment-page-1/#comment-8447 Tom Bedell Tue, 17 May 2011 03:08:06 +0000 http://tombedell.com/?p=540#comment-8447 In early March, 2011, Harpoon brewed up a second batch of the Island Creek Oyster Stout, and why not? The last batch, the 30th iteration of the 100 Barrel Series, was the best-selling of the entire lot. Harpoon brewer Bill Leahy and Island Creek Oyster farmer Skip Bennett took over the reins from Katie Tame this time and "tweaked" the recipe. All the numbers came out the same, but to my mind, this one is less stout than the previous version, with a more muted roast, coffee and chocolate profile. Maybe I'm having an off night, but the mineral quality that theoretically came from the oysters also seems more elusive. It's still a decent and drinkable beer that slides down easy. But I preferred the darker edges. It will soon be a moot point, as the beer has probably pretty much vanished from shelves by now. But 100 Barrel Batch #37 promises to be interesting--Rich & Dan's Rye IPA, brewed by Harpoon co-founders Rich Doyle and Dan Kenary to celebrate 25 years of brewing in New England. Looking forward to it. In early March, 2011, Harpoon brewed up a second batch of the Island Creek Oyster Stout, and why not? The last batch, the 30th iteration of the 100 Barrel Series, was the best-selling of the entire lot.

Harpoon brewer Bill Leahy and Island Creek Oyster farmer Skip Bennett took over the reins from Katie Tame this time and “tweaked” the recipe. All the numbers came out the same, but to my mind, this one is less stout than the previous version, with a more muted roast, coffee and chocolate profile. Maybe I’m having an off night, but the mineral quality that theoretically came from the oysters also seems more elusive.

It’s still a decent and drinkable beer that slides down easy. But I preferred the darker edges. It will soon be a moot point, as the beer has probably pretty much vanished from shelves by now.

But 100 Barrel Batch #37 promises to be interesting–Rich & Dan’s Rye IPA, brewed by Harpoon co-founders Rich Doyle and Dan Kenary to celebrate 25 years of brewing in New England. Looking forward to it.

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