Try?
Attention, class. Beer is now in session. At least, Harpoon Brown Session Ale is, if you ask me. And since you’re reading this, let’s assume that you did. It’s very likely you’ve heard of brown ale before, even if you’re not a seasoned beer geek. Maybe you’ve even had one before, most likely a Newcastle Brown. If you’re really lucky, you might even have tried a Brooklyn Brown, though that’s a different sub-style of brown ale in reality.
So again, you’ve probably heard of brown ale. But session ale, just what is that you say? Realistically, if you’re not a dyed in the wool beer geek, it’s probably not a term that you’ve heard before. That’s because “session ale” is a beer geek term, used to describe a brew that’s not overbearing, eminently drinkable, and usually low in alcohol. Something you can drink a lot of over an afternoon or evening without getting overly inebriated.
A beer like Harpoon Brown Session Ale. Harpoon Brown Session Ale is actually styled after an English Mild. But wait Bruguru, you say, didn’t you just call this a brown ale? Yes I did, I say, but English Mild is one of those substyles of brown ale I was telling you about, you see. Harpoon’s example has 4.3% alcohol volume, a bit less than the average 5%. They use six different malts including chocolate malt that you will easily pick up.
I think we get spoiled at times as beer geeks and tend to look askance at beers that don’t hit us over the head with an abundance of hops or malt. But delicate, gentle drinking brews like this one that still offer plenty of flavor are fine and dandy in my book, too.
Harpoon Brown Session Ale pours to a, you guessed it,
brown color (golden brown actually) with a light creamy head formation and a
slightly sweet molasses and fruit nose. A sip reveals a moderate bodied beer
with a wonderfully delicate, nutty malt character. A hint of chocolate is
finely interlaced with the nuttiness, along with a bit of soft dark fruit
(raisin perhaps) and a trace of molasses.
The finish offers just a touch of bittering hops, and some slightly roasty drying malt notes too. Overall, this is a really wonderful, highly drinkable beer perfect for beginners and seasoned veterans a like. Why not have a session of your own and see what I mean?
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
