Psssstttt. Hey there. Yeah, you. I’ve got the craic for you. You know, the craic? It’s an Irish slang term that means gossip or news. Well, the craic on Harpoon’s new beer, The Craic is that it’s quite the tasty beer. They call it a fusion of India Pale Ale and Irish Red Ale. Some might call that Red IPA, but I prefer India Red Ale. How can a beer red and pale at the same time?

This is a limited release for St. Patrick’s Day, and I bought a six-pack at Total Wine around that time. I still had a bottle hanging around in early September and thought I would “craic” it open for the Patriots’ home opener game. That fottball didn’t go so well, but the beer definitely did.

From the website:

Why should St. Patrick’s Day just be a “day” when you can make a whole season out of it?! Crack open The Craic and let the friendly banter, bursts of laughter, and toe-tapping music of the season get your eyes smiling.

This hybrid ale combines two classic styles —IPA and Irish Red Ale—to create a unique and flavorful beer. Th­e malt combination commonly used in Irish Red Ales brings a toasted, malty flavor that balances the citrusy and fruity character of the hops.

Harpoon The Craic Irish Red IPA has an alcohol content of 6.9% by volume with 55 IBUs. I paid $8.99 a six-pack at Total Wine. My bottle says best by 6/15/17 but it is doing quite well in early September. As Harpoon says on the neck label, St. Patrick’s Day is more than just a day. To us it’s a season that we love to celebrate.

Harpoon The Craic Irish Red IPA pours to a bright red color with a thick foamy head and a luscious stewed malt and earthy, perfumey hop nose. Taking a sip, those stewed malts come out in abundance with chocolate and toasted malt and fruit berry notes accented wonderfully by dry, herbal, earthy perfumey grassy hops.

All the beautiful malt of a red ale with the grassy earthy hops of an Americanized-English IPA. What’s not to love?



Home