The Harpoon Brewery Introduces Harpoon Brown!

The Harpoon Brewery, New England's largest craft brewer, is proud to introduce Harpoon Brown, a session ale. This is the first year-round Harpoon beer the brewery has released in almost a decade. While the craft beer industry has seen a growing trend in "extreme" beers, noted for potency of flavor and alcohol, the brewers of Harpoon wanted to create a mild beer that could be enjoyed over an extended period of time - a “session” beer. At 4.3% alcohol by volume, the Harpoon Brown has the lowest alcohol content of all Harpoon beers.

The Harpoon Brown is brewed to accentuate the sweeter, rounder notes derived from six different malts, including a de-husked chocolate malt that adds a hint of chocolate flavor and aroma. The blend of these malts produces a beer that is complex and delicious without being heavy. The subtle use of hops provides just the right balance to this burnt umber-colored beer, while a lower level of carbonation adds to its drinkability.

"We have had many discussions over the years about brewing a beer that would provide people with the opportunity to enjoy a few beers without becoming overly satiated," says Al Marzi, Harpoon's VP of brewing operations and creator of the Harpoon Brown recipe. "At the same time, we wanted to brew a balanced beer full of flavor. We felt that a brown ale was the perfect style to accomplish this."

 “Session beers” have their roots in British brewing tradition, and the term is derived from long evenings spent in the pub enjoying pints of beer that were not be overpowering. Harpoon Brown has been brewed with this tradition in mind. It is the perfect accompaniment at poker night with some friends or paired with a homemade meal of barbecued ribs.

Harpoon Brown will be available in bottles and on draft beginning in March 2007. An evening of celebrations to toast the beer's release will be held at locations throughout New England on Thursday, March 8th, including tastings at Harpoon's breweries in Boston, MA and Windsor, VT.