Spring in January? That’s wishful thinking, even here in Georgia. Still, the start of a new year brings with it the promise that warmer temperatures are on the way at least, and that’s something. As I type, though, it’s snowing outside. We’ve had sleet and cold temperatures for a few days, and along with the mug of Harpoon The Long Thaw White IPA I enjoyed at Taco Mac just the other night, it’s almost enough to make me think I’m back in New England. Almost.

Harpoon The Long Thaw White IPA is available from January to March according to Harpoon. I’m not entirely convinced White IPA is a real style, to me it just seems like a Belgian White with some hops tossed in, and perhaps a little caramel malt. Be that as it may, lots of brewers make them these days, so I suppose you must have them.

Harpoon Says of The Long Thaw White IPA on their website:

“Spring” in New England is a fickle friend. So we brewed a beer that could carry us through the January cold while hinting at warmer days ahead. With notes of orange peel and coriander, the soft mouthfeel of a Belgian wit, and an intense hop profile, The Long Thaw White IPA combines the warming backbone of an IPA with citrus notes indicative of the coming spring. “Spring” in New England may be indecisive, but we can help make one decision a little easier.

Harpoon The Long Thaw White IPA has an alcohol content of 6.2% by volume with 45 IBUs. I paid $6 for a full mug pour at Taco Mac here in Canton, and it runs $8.99 a six-pack in bottles. This beer is available in cans as well. The Long Thaw IPA is the third incarnation of what is basically the same the same White IPA. It was released as a Hundred Barrel selection and as Harpoon White IPA, but for the past few years has been sold as The Long Thaw.

My mug of Harpoon The Long Thaw White IPA arrived more of an orange than white color with a thick creamy (ok this is white) head and a soft citric fruity nose. Taking a sip, I got big bitter citrus peel immediately in the palate atop some crisp crackery wheat and light caramel, followed by subtle coriander and strangely hints of thyme. A long dry herbal bitterness emerged in the finish.

The Long Thaw is fairly well balanced, but to my taste isn’t hoppy enough for an IPA or spicy enough for a Belgian White. That said it’s still quite tasty, and I would indeed buy it again, though perhaps in March as the weather truly does warm. This beer would serve as a welcome refresher when spring finally decides to show.



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