Harpoon’s latest beer hardly breaks the new ground that some of its recent offerings have cracked wide open, but it is nonetheless a credible IPA (albeit one which is standing a sea of competition). Designed to be a bolder counterpart to its Rec. League IPA, this hazy, flavored with Cascade, Simcoe, Ekuanot, Citra, and Mosaic hops, is actually quite approachable — and fairly straightforward. More west coast in construction than you’d expect from the Boston brewery, the beer offers a bracing, gently mushroomy bitterness, touched up with some grapefruit and a flamed lemon peel note. The finish is decidedly on the earthy side, and while it’s certainly manageable, it doesn’t really move the needle for the category.

7.2% abv.

B / $17 per four-pack of 16 oz cans / harpoonbrewery.com

Harpoon Big League IPA

$17

8

Rating

8.0/10

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