Harpoon 100 Barrel Series: Island Creek Oyster Stout
I’ll start off this review by making a few statements. 1) The very first brewery I ever visited was the Harpoon Brewery in Boston when visiting my sister, so it holds a special place in my heart. 2) I love to eat oysters.
That being said, I never thought in my life that I would drink a beer brewed with oysters, but lo and behold I found myself not only drinking the Island Creek Oyster Stout by the fine brewers at Harpoon, but I actually enjoyed it.
This beer is the 30th installment of Harpoons 100 Barrel Series which is a recipe from a company brewer made in a limited quantities. This one was made by Katie Tame. Yes, you read that right, a chick brewed this deliciousness and God (God’s, no God’s, whatever you believe in. I don’t really give a shit) bless her for doing so.
This surprisingly smooth stout boasts great hints of chocolate and even some coffee notes in it. What really grabbed me in the extremely subtle, but enjoyable hint of oysters. I seriously feared that at first, (the only other beer I’ve even heard of made with a “mollusk” is Budweiser’s Clamato), but it flowed so well with the other tastes of the beer it was very tasty.
I was a little shocked to see this was only 5.5% ABV because it carried a taste that was a little more stiff. In any event, pair this with a plate of oysters or some seafood and sit back and enjoy as the various, and odd, flavors fill your mouth.
If you’re looking for a Clamato-tasting beer, you’re out of luck. You should probably stop reading this blog and concentrate on punching yourself in the face because that beer is shit.
