Kenary said the company first had to determine which shareholders were willing to sell and how much the company could afford to spend buying back those shares. So how did Harpoon arrive at the 48/52 split? “We weren’t targeting any specific number,” he said. When asked if that decision was intentional, Kenary denied. Nonetheless, Harpoon’s primary stakeholders will still retain a 52 percent controlling interest in the company, which would allow them to sell the business down the road. Rich Doyle and Dan Kenary at the 2013 Brewbound Session The decision to transfer stock into an ESOP, however, provided “liquidity for shareholders that were looking to sell, continuity and a framework for future stability,” Kenary said. “If the group that owns 52 percent wanted to sell, they certainly could have done so right now or last year for a very, very attractive multiple.” “It is no secret that there are a lot of people looking to invest in this industry,” he said. Harpoon reportedly turned down multiple high value offers from strategic and private investors alike. I will note that the ABV (6%) is a tad low for what I prefer for a Winter Warmer, but that's OK.Harpoon’s succession planning process began in 2012, Kenary said. It drinks far easier than other Winter Warmers/Holiday beers that I have had. This is obviously a beer that has had some spices added instead of the other way 'round. The spices are noticeable, but not overpowering, and they do blend with malts nicely. Overall: Winter warmers and spiced ales/beers aren't really my thing, but this one isn't too bad. Things finish with the spices (primarily nutmeg with cinnamon and cloves added in). As the cinnamon (and ginger) declines, the nutmeg comes forward. The cinnamon is up front along with ginger, but these quickly give way to the malts and candy. Taste: Very similar to how the beer smells. The spices do dominate the aroma, but they don't really get out of hand. A good undercurrent of malt, including darker malts (ie, dark bread) and even some toasted ones. The head lasted for quite some time, leaving excellent lacing on the glass.Īroma: Noticeable but not overwhelming note of spices - cinnamon primarily with some ginger and a touch of cloves. Look: Deep and dark but clear ruby that drifts towards a shad of mahogany with 2+' creamy beige head. Noteworthy is that I am enthralled by the entire genre of winter spiced foods and drinks, so my rating may be high, but consider. As an overall package it achieves in flavor, alcohol, and richness, without boasting opulence. I also love the texture, and slightly boosted maltiness and ABV. Will surely buy again! I really enjoyed this primarily because it reminded me of eggnog, which I adore. Creaminess in taste as I stated previously but in texture as well. The maltiness and ABV are perfect in my opinion, higher than your average lager but not at all daunting. It's interesting that it really does taste like eggnog, it even has a creaminess to it.

This is the taste you get from eggnog, and the key to that is nutmeg (this is brewed with cinnamon and nutmeg.) So, nutmeg happens to be my favorite spice by a long long shot, so this is right up my alley. Initial taste is alcohol fumes (a pleasant alcohol burn one would expect from a winter drink), followed by light spice warmth. A little bit of 50ish% dark chocolate and maybe a hint of lemon peel? Additionally I can't cast the smell of clove gumdrops from my mind's eye as I inhale.

Initial aroma is ginger (which it doesn't contain), a smooth and sweet aroma promising a pleasant spice burn. Looks like someone stepped in the floor bed of a lake Pours a hazy, the color of a vintage penny, with a 1.5 finger custard colored relatively quickly dissipating head. Acclimated to 48☏ and poured into a goblet.

Harpoon beer high