Beer of the Week Blast from the Past: Harpoon Munich Type Dark Beer

Beer score: 6.2

No chance to try a new beer this week, so I'm resorting again to my old beer notes about a beer I tried years ago, a beer that's no longer available though the maker is still in business. Also, of note, this beer has gone by a couple of different names over the decades, and the maker does continue to make dark beers, so it's not as if all is lost.

This drink reminded me of a weak porter. It had strength, but it was more like one of those mass-marketed dark beers than a true porter or stout. It had a decent burnt flavor that wasn't too strong, with just the slightest hint of carbonation. A little smokiness and maybe chocolate in the smell and the taste.

Was worth trying.

Beer of the Week: Samuel Adams Blackberry Witbier

Beer score: 6.0

Company: Samuel Adams
ABV: 5.5
IBU: 10

This is another brew Samuel Adams has released several times over the decades, and this year they decided to grace us with this one for their Spring collection release.

This one pours a fairly light, hazy golden shade while giving off fruity tart smells, a little citrus perhaps and definitely some blackberry.

That blackberry is also there in the taste, but it's not so strong as to ruin the beer. Sweetness and tartness combine her with the blackberry flavor for a not unfortunate combination, but again, it's not all that strong.

The texture here is also not strong, but it's not the weakest around either.

Not a bad brew, but not really worth going out of your way to try. If someone hands you one, sure, toss it back, but there's no need to go searching for this one.

Beer of the Week: Samuel Adams Alpine Spring

Beer score: 5.1

Company: Samuel Adams
ABV: 5.5
IBU: 18

The folks at Samuel Adams have brought this beer out several times over the decades, sometimes with a slightly different name, and this year they've released it once again for their Spring collection.

Pours a slightly hazy golden color into a clear glass. Gives off some typical, premium bready beer-like scents with maybe just the barest hint of citrus.

On the tongue, it has some pale bitterness up front and then a slightly sweet aftertaste that lingers. There are a little of woodsy flavors here, along with maybe some honey.

Not a weak beer, but also not overly strong.

Not a bad beer, but also not all that great.

Probably one of the most mediocre beers produced by Samuel Adams. Again, not bad, but nothing great. Your Budweiser friends might think it's something special.

Beer of the Week: Jenlain Ambrée

Beer score: 4.4

Company: Brasserie Duyck
ABV: 7.5
IBU: 25

I've tried this one a few times over the years, and I hate to say it, but it's always kind of let me down. I think my expectations were just too high.

Anyway, this French brew pours a slight reddish color while giving off some fruity and bread-like smells.

Extremely sweet. The honey sweetness is so strong it destroy any other flavoring. There is some spiced fruity flavor and maybe a little apple among all that sweetness. At least it goes down light and smooth.