The king is dead. Long live the king! Isn’t that how that saying goes? On its face, it seems a bit contradictory, but what it really means is the old king has died, long live the new king. Fortunately in the case of Harpoon Bronze King Barlewine Ale, no king needed to die to birth this one in November of 2013. Long live the Bronze King all the same!

I’ve had quite a few beers from Harpoon over the years, but this is the first Harpoon barleywine I’ve enjoyed. My bottle has 2013 on the neck label though I bought it in spring of 2014 as I recall. It was one of the last bottles hidden in the back of the cooler where I found it. On the label, Harpoon says the following:

Every fall since we first brewed a barleywine style ale, one version or another seems to find its way onto the taps in our employee tap room. When the long nights of winter settle in, we look forward to this ceremonial tapping as a way to welcome the season in a way that is characteristically rich and complex. This year, we look forward to raising a glass (or goblet) to the Bronze King, and hope you’ll join us!

On the neck label, Harpoon says:

Given the time, the flavors and aromas of this ale will continue to evolve and deepen. While delicious now, it’s worth setting some aside to enjoy over the years-if you can wait.

They didn’t have to tell me twice. My bottle is a little over a year old as I tap it, and I have to say it is magnificent. Harpoon Bronze King has an alcohol content of 10% by volume with 65 IBUs. No indication of ingredients are given other than Chinook and Tettnang hops. I paid a very reasonable $5.99 for a 22-ounce bomber bottle.

Harpoon Bronze King Barlewine Ale pours to a brilliant orange color with a thin creamy head and a rich nose of candied fruit. Taking a sip, I get a thick full mouthfeel here full of very complex flavors. At first there is more of the candied fruit that the nose promised though it’s much more intensive in the palate. Then big waves of chewy, bready malt hit followed by herbal aromatic hops. There’s spice cake and Christmas Stollen, and in the finish, a big, nay really big alcohol warmth, balancing bitterness and perfumey hop aroma.

My friends, this beer has really aged wonderfully and I enjoyed it to the last sip. Next release, I think I’ll buy several bottles, one to drink young and a few to age. At the bargain basement price, you can certainly afford to do so.



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