Harp Premium Lager Review: The Irish Attempt a Half-Decent Lager. Get it Half Right.

"From the Makers of Guinness." The marketing message is clear: "Guinness is pretty good, and we made Guinness so Harp Premium Lager must also be good." I remain skeptical. I know saying that Guinness is not my favorite stout is a bit like saying Jesus isn't my favorite first-century Jewish spiritual leader, but I just don't love the dark ale from Dublin.

Harp's new green, more Irishy-looking bottle

Appearance wise, Harp Premium Lager is exactly what it should be. It poured with a classic lager gold, very clear. It left a fleeting head. There wasn't much to the aroma, however, no malt or hops. I could have been sniffing an empty glass mistakenly.

On to the taste. "Genuine Irish Recipe." What does that mean? It means that a bunch of people not known for making a lager got together and made up their own recipe. You know, because the German and Czech's muck it up so badly. This beer tasted crisp and clean; it was surprisingly good actually. I'd like a bit more flavor, but what was there wasn't bad. There was a hint of corn maybe, but not much else. Very crisp, very clean. The mouth feel was a bit thin but acceptable. The aftertaste was clean, a hint bitter, and refreshing.

The best, most accurate praise I can give Harp Premium Lager is that it tastes like an American lager should, if only American beer drinkers weren't so lazy and unadventurous. The Irish can make a decent lager. What other stereotypes about the Irish aren't true either?

-Ryan

Style: Lager
ABV: 5.0%
Availability: Nationwide