Ben E. Keith to begin distributing New England-based Harpoon beers in Texas

by PegNews wire

The Harpoon Brewery, New England's largest craft brewer, will begin distribution of its award-winning craft beers throughout Texas in January 2009. Ben E. Keith Beverage Distributors will be the exclusive distributor of Harpoon beers throughout the state.

Harpoon's flagship beer, IPA (India Pale Ale), will be available on draft in January. The IPA has a floral aroma with a medium body and an aggressive, clean hop finish. Another popular Harpoon beer, UFO Hefeweizen, will roll out on draft in February. This American unfiltered wheat beer has a cloudy appearance with a citrus-like aroma, light body and a clean finish. Both the IPA and UFO Hefeweizen will be available in package in March.

Harpoon's spring seasonal, Harpoon Celtic Ale (an Irish red ale), will also be available in March on draft. Harpoon Celtic Ale has a complex maltiness with a deep amber color.

Harvard classmates Rich Doyle and Dan Kenary founded the Harpoon Brewery in Boston because they wanted a greater variety and higher quality in their beer selection. In 1986, Harpoon was granted Permit No. 1 to brew and package beer commercially in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In 2000, they purchased a second brewery in Windsor, Vermont, to keep up with the growing demand. In 2008, Harpoon brewed 120,000 barrels of beer, making it the largest brewer of craft beers in New England.

Harpoon's line of craft beer features six year-round beers, four special seasonal selections, and a few limited edition beers. In 2008, Harpoon debuted the Leviathan Series, a line of big beers for adventurous palates, as part of their limited edition line up. Also, every few months, Harpoon releases a beer from their 100 Barrel Series. This series consists of one-of-a-kind limited edition batches of beer brewed uniquely by a Harpoon brewer. In addition to craft beer, Harpoon brews a hard cider made from locally-pressed apples and Harpoon's proprietary yeast.

Source: Ben E. Keith

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