Beer: Harp Lager

Brewery: Diageo (Great Northern Brewery) Dundalk, Ireland

Overview: Harp Lager is a bit of an anomaly in ale-rich Ireland, but was developed in the 1960s as a response to a market trend towards lager-style beers.  As such, it does not particularly fit in a classic category, but its brewery location in Ireland makes it surge in popularity for celebrations aside its big brother, Guinness.

Aroma: Light malt smell along with a meadow breeze rising off of wet grass.  Some lime and lemon in the background.  Fresh and clean.

Appearance: Crystal clear very pale yellow.  Giant frothy head that sticks around the center of the surface and leaves some lacing on the glass.

Flavor: Malty sweet, but very light in overwhelming tones, with some of the light citrus notes carrying over.  Very little hop bitterness at all, perhaps a slight freshness, like cut grass or a Spring garden sprouting in your mouth.

Overall Impression: Highly drinkable and pleasant.  Not a complete standout in the history of beers by any standard, but a good stock party beer to work your way through, particularly towards St. Patrick's Day in an attempt to get something "authentic."  More like a generic light pilsener than anything else.  Good, and fun to drink, but I think I'll stick to the stouts on March 17.

Vitals:
Style Irish Lager (no classic defined style)
Price $7.99/six-pack
Found In Grocery Store Beer Aisle
Alcohol Content 3.5% by volume
Availability Year-round


Rating: 91