From the brewers of Guinness … Having gone from drinking the lightest, most watery and drinkable beers to now enjoying much more flavorful, complex, and bigger beers, a part of me still finds room in my beer appetite for the former. While many of my friends still happily reach for Miller Lite and mass consumption, I have found a fondness for Harp Lager. Essentially it really is just another light, crisp, drinkable beer, but yet it offers me just enough of what I sometimes enjoy about a beer. I reach for it often, on tap and in the bottle. Its generally the beer I’ll bring to gatherings outside of my home, when I’ve forsaken the kegs full of homebrew and the myriad of more interesting, craft choices that dwell in my fridge. Snobby, yeah, I know. But not everyone responds well to plain brown bottles of homebrew while watching a hockey game or enjoying a BBQ. I like to reserve those treats for the comfort of my home, or in a group that I know will appreciate them and show interest.
Harp pours pale yellow with a fairly fluffy head that has dissipated during the writing of that first paragraph. Bubbles rise consistently from the bottom of the glass- showing me its going to be healthily carbonated. The aroma is that of typical light beer which instinctively reminds me of occasions when I have consumed too many, but Harp has a bready and almost yeasty note in the aroma that makes it stand out. There is also a floral note from the proper amount of hops used to balance this beer. Far from hoppy, so don’t be misled.
Now I’m ready to take a sip. Ah, refreshing. The taste has a few things going on. One is sweetness. Not syrupy sweetness, but just a small amount of malt sweetness that is coupled with the next thing I notice, a creaminess. I should note that this beer is not currently as cold as it should be, but the slightly warmer temp actually improves this beer, but that is a fine line to walk. There is a small amount of hop bitterness that really just makes for a nice, crisp package. It has a nice finish, and an overall nice light beer flavor. There is nothing off about this beer, and its always consistent. Easily a beer I could drink plenty of, but I find its actually a good go between if it happens to be a day when I’m consuming a variety of beers of different styles. Dare I say a palate cleanser? That may be insulting, but I drink a lot of flavorful, hoppy, spicy, and also malty beers. A beer like this is a welcome treat on the right day, at the right time. I’d be curious to know what other beer lovers honestly think about Harp.
ABV: 5.0%
Grade: B
This is a good lager! I agree, it is a refreshing brew. Opposite in every way to Guinness, but it makes a great Half & Half.
Hurrah, that’s what I was seeking for, what a data! existing here at this web site, thanks admin of this web site.
Harp on tap is far superior to the bottled and canned varieties. I haven’t had any beer that was as good as a pint of Harp from the tap.
Harp has become my “go to” beer and one of my top 3.
Have enjoyed Harp (in the green labeled bottles) for years. Only recently did the packaging change to blue; unfortunately that isn’t the only thing that’s changed. The new brew is just AWFUL! It tastes as if the bottles they used were full of dust, and the refreshing hops that drew me in have been replaced with who-knows-what. I’m sad to say goodbye, but I no longer will drink this “version” and must go in search of an adequate replacement.
I live in us zip code 08721 where can I find this on tap?
I agree with Tom. The taste of Harp has changed…and not for the better.
Gotta agree with Tom and Jim. I just bought the new Harp tonight. The new blue Harp from Canada does not compare with the green Harp from Ireland.
The green Harp was so flavorful and I enjoyed every sip.
The blue Harp has a lighter color than the green Harp and is not as flavorful.
This used to be my favorite beer of all-time. Not anymore.
Why do companies have to mess with a perfect recipe? I won’t be buying it anymore. 🙁
I thought I was the only one! Harp has long been my favorite beer. I recently purchased the new blue case. I thought it might be skunked but there isn’t a bad smell to it like you would usually get from a skunked beer.
The recipe has changed with Harp. I will no longer be purchasing.
Why can’t we get Harp lager in Australia. I used to love it when I lived in the UK
Be on the lookout. If you read the latest labels, the blue label harp is now brewed in Dublin and being shipped to the U.S. (as of at least March 2016). This includes bottles and draft. It’s a far superior taste (imho) to the version that has been brewed in Canada.
I get it at the pub in Franklin Tennessee on tap mixed with cider they call it a Snake Bite Its pretty good with one of their blue burgers.
New Harp is now comparable to just about any other tasteless American lager. All the goodness is gone from a once full flavored delight. It’s now more flavorful than water but not by very much.
I love HARP, but can’t stand Guinness, “after this small batch of bunk ales” appeared at the local American Sam’s club – at a discount, mind you! I still love my HARP – I come from a town where you’re required to try all three; Newcastle, Guinness, and HARP. I prefer the H-A-R-P!
Ok does anyone one know anything about a large harp mirror with the Guinness sign and it says registered trademark. I’m looking to find the value and maybe the date it was manufactured??