By: Erin Caron - Greater Boston Food Bank Published:
Nearly 10 years ago we held our very first Harpoon Helps event at the Greater Boston Food Bank. It marked the beginning of a wonderful and lasting partnership with our friends at the Greater Boston Food Bank. Their dedication to ending hunger in Massachusetts inspired us to get involved with other food banks throughout New England. Their passion inspired us to do more, which is why we brew Harpoon Grateful Harvest Ale.
We invited Erin Caron from the Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) to share some thoughts on the Thanksgiving season. Here’s what Erin had to say….
A long-term partner of GBFB, Harpoon Brewery generously supports hunger relief efforts in a number of ways, including the gift of in-kind product for events, monetary contributions, volunteerism, and special events.
In celebration of the Thanksgiving season and to raise money for GBFB, Harpoon is bringing back its Grateful Harvest Ale, and $1 from every six-pack sold in our service area will be donated to our mission to end hunger here. That means every six-pack of Grateful Harvest provides nearly two and a half meals to those in need.
Back in 2003, Harpoon launched the Harpoon Helps program, calling on Friends of Harpoon to join together for a volunteer activity, followed by a tasting at the brewery. More than 100 “Harpoon Helpers” came out to GBFB that night to help sort food in our warehouse.
Today, we are proud to partner with Harpoon here in our community, and are fortunate that the company has been such a committed partner over the years. The Harpoon Helps program has provided countless amounts of products to be used at GBFB events, and raised money for us through five Beer-B-Q fundraisers.
One in nine residents of eastern Massachusetts is at risk of hunger. Everyone has a role in ending hunger in our community, and GBFB is grateful to Harpoon Brewery for playing theirs.
We invite Harpoon enthusiasts to grow their support even more this year by signing up for our annual Turkey Drive. This Thanksgiving, we hope to raise enough money to provide 40,000 turkeys for families in need. Every donation of $17 will help bring a family together around the dinner table. Visit www.GBFB.org/turkeydrive to start a turkey team of your own and help make a difference this holiday season.
To learn about other holiday initiatives, visit GBFB.org.
Thank you Erin, and all of you who are working hard to fight hunger!
By: Amanda - Loves Beer and Life Published:
Last week, we asked our Facebook fans to ask Harpoon Brewer, Matt DeLuca, somequestions... and boy, did you guys have questions! It was just what we wanted to see... and now, you can finally have some answers!
Out of 50 questions, five were selected and answered by Matt.
So grab a pint of your favorite Harpoon beer and see if your question was answered!
Q: Which is your personal favorite from the special barrel series and why?
- Michael O'Hagan
A: Well since it was my own recipe I would have to say that the Haproon 100 Barrel Series #40 Black IPA is my personal favorite. I love the black IPA style so having the ability to develop a recipe for Harpoon to be featured in the 100 Barrel series was quite an honor. Trying to find the balance between the bitterness of the hops and roastiness of the dark malts was a fun challenge.
Q: What's your everyday beer? What's your favorite beer by another brewer?
- Eric Branchaud
A: Everyday beer? It usually depends on the season but I would have to say our own IPA is my go to. And it's always easy to find living in Boston which is a plus. There's nothing like a fresh Harpoon IPA.
I've been really into the Nitro Milk Stout by Left Hand Brewing in Colorado lately. I'd prefer it on draft if I can find it but the bottles are great as well. Smooth, creamy, and full of flavor. If you enjoy a good stout than be sure to give this one a try if you haven't already.
Q: Been to any great Beerfest lately? - Craig Johnson
A: The Massachusetts Brewers Fest, which is put on by the Massachusetts Brewers Guild, was a great one. It's held on a Friday night in late August out on the 2nd level of the World Trade Center not far from our brewery in Boston. The venue is incredible and its nice exposure for all the Massachusetts breweries that have opened in the last few years. There's some really good beer being brewed here in the state and combined with the casual atmosphere makes this a fest I don't want to miss.
Q: What's your favorite hop? - Robert Lindsley
A: It tends to change from time to time but I really like brewing with Citra hops. Citra can be used for both bittering and aroma which makes it a nice all-around hop. You tend to get some sexy mango/citrus aromas and flavor in the beer when used. I once had an all-Citra hop pale ale brewed by the Hill Farmstead Brewery in Vermont and it was one of the best beers I've ever had. Citra hops have only been around since 2007.
Q: Hey Matt. Was hoping you could explain what path a person would take to become a professional brewer? Be it secondary education, interning, homebrewing, etc.
- Hank O'Neil
A: Most production breweries tend to hire brewers with some professional experience so finding a small brewery or brew pub that is looking for cheap or free labor would be my first route. Once you get your foot in the door and get some grunt work under your belt is when the magic can begin to happen. There are brewing programs out there as well that will definitely make your resume pop a bit if you have the means to enroll and these programs will help find you an internship most likely. Definitely homebrewing though. That is the best way to learn and will teach you the fundamentals.
Keep the conversation going on Facebook and Twitter! We will try to answer everyone's questions as best as we can. So please... ask away!
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