Personally I'll stick to the black stuff
Written: Feb 18 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Better than most of the 'brewed under licence' lagers
Cons: Not what you would call distinctive
The Bottom Line: Disappointingly reminiscent of most cheap lager, but perhaps, just a little better.
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| latakiahaze's Full Review: Harp Lager |
Despite the impression you get from Epinions the United Kingdom produces a goodly number of beers, in fact a goodly number of good ales. It is therefore rare that I am to be found drinking lager, but if I do I avoid the 'brewed in the UK' Carlsberg, Fosters, Carling Black Label and their ilk and head for beer actually produced abroad. Normally this is a search that would take me East to mainland Europe, Belgium, Germany, homes of real lagers, but the other day I looked West to Ireland (there's little point looking further out across the Atlantic, because all that seems to reach our shores is Bud and Miller's).
Now if you think of Ireland, you tend to think of Stout rather than lager, but Harp is an Irish lager, brewed by Guinness (although not at St James's Gate). Now sadly for someone of my age Harp is probably best known, or should I say remembered from television adverts of dubious taste in the late 70's and early 80's, but should it be locked away with Brut (advertised by Henry Cooper and Kevin Keegan) in a time-capsule?
Harp pours to a fairly deep amber for a lager, owing much to the German interpretation of Pilsner. Poured cold it has a slightly sharp crispness, not unlike a slightly under-ripe green apple. There's little aroma escaping from the slightly over carbonated brew, but what does escape is quite malty (no scent of hop).
The initial crispness hides a definite swetness that whilst not cloying, does fail to help the crispness truly cleanse the palate.
It's not a bad lager, and with strongly flavoured food it will help quench a thirst if not fully refresh. For me it lacks any real complexity or depth. Not truly bland, but certainly unexciting. In the UK it's cheap, competing on price with Carling Black Label, and noticeably cheaper than 'premium brands' such as Stella Artois.
It's okay, but I wouldn't bother again.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
latakiahaze
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Member: Richard Drew
Location: Faversham, Kent, England
Reviews written: 146
Trusted by: 60 members
About Me:
Still around when time allows / can be bothered
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