Harrington's Brewery (Lion Co. - Kirin Holdings) Reviews

TrappistRates36	3.4 Harrington's Rogue Hop NZ Pilsner Bottle from Liquorland , Rangiora : Crystal clear , medium straw colour , good head ... aromatic-floral nose ... luscious malt , good hops balance , crisp & clean , tingle at tip of tongue , creamy : Good quaffing pils . Monday, November 13, 2023
Jerseyislandbeer	3.1 Harrington's Wheat Beer Old rating - tasted at the brewery Feb 2003. Pours pale yellow with a white head. Aromas & tastes of banana, lemon, coriander & wheat malt. Moderate body. Crisp finish Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Jerseyislandbeer	3.4 Harrington's Premium Stout Old rating - tasted at the brewery Feb 2003. Pours red/brown with a white head. Aromas & tastes of caramel, wood & malt. Dry finish Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Jerseyislandbeer	3.3 Harrington's The First of the Summer Ale Old rating - tasted at the brewery Feb 2003. Pours pale golden. Aromas & tastes of orange, ginger & coriander. Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Guiguilafusee	2.5 Harrington's Razor Back Saturday, August 28, 2021
mountdad	1.7 Harrington's Pig & Whistle 500ml bottle. Pours a deep clear mahogany with not much head at all. Aroma is a bit of chocolate on a sour base. The body is light as per the ABV and I get no "big chocolate flavours" as per the bottle. It seems a disappointingly flat and not very flavoursome brew. Not much malty base, almost no hops on display, I can't really see this pleasing anyone. It's not even bargain priced. A disappointment. And in 2020 the brewery seems to have been retired - their website leads to Sky Casio! Monday, January 18, 2021
beer-yum	3.5 Harrington's Rogue Hop NZ Pilsner Restrained floral aroma in a golden pour. Hop forward balance with a fruity malt body and crisp bitter finish. Way better than a mass market brew. Monday, December 28, 2020
mountdad	3.6 Harrington's Big John Special Reserve 500ml bottle from the cellar as the brewery doesn't seem to exist in 2020. Assume Lion has shut it down. Pours like a dark Cola, deep translucent brown with small brown head. Aroma is mix of dark beer & bourbon as expected. This is a supremely easy drinking beer with mild bitterness, none of the OTT malt & a soft, easy but long finish. The mouth feel is light, almost lager like. Nice to have a bourbon infused beer that isn't wine strength but still has the flavour & a hint of warmth. A shame it seems to have vanished from our shores. Tuesday, November 24, 2020
ComradeK	2.9 Harrington's Rogue Hop NZ Pilsner 330ml bottle. Full disclosure - past best before date. Pours a clear medium gold, with a moderate white head. Floral and light citrus hop aromas. Mild floral hops up front, white bread, light citrus finish. Standard pilsener, not exciting. Wednesday, January 29, 2020
AnonUser54728	2.3 Harrington's Ngahere Gold Aroma: Medium floral. Appearance: Brilliant gold body, Small, white head, Small bubbles.Fair retention. Flavour: Medium floral. Medium-light bitterness. Medium-light cracker. Dry finish with floral notes Mouthfeel: Medium-light body. Medium carbonation. Overall: A very well attenuated beer, but the beer needs more malt flavour and aroma. It is an important part of the beer style. Still a nice beer, just not to style. 330 ml bottle, poured. Thursday, January 16, 2020
AnonUser54728	4.8 Harrington's Wobbly Boot Porter Ale Aroma: Medium-high cocoa, Medium chocolate nibs, coffee Appearance: Clear, brown body. Small, light-brown head. Low retention. Fine bubbles. Flavour: Medium chocolate. Medium-light coffee. Medium-light bitterness. Dry finish with hints of chocolate. Mouthfeel: Medium body. Medium-light carbonation, Creamy Overall: A porter should have chocolate notes, a pleasant bitterness and be easy drinking. This beer is a good porter! 330 ml bottle, poured. Thursday, January 16, 2020
AnonUser54728	4.4 Harrington's Yankdak APA Aroma: Medium candied orange, Appearance: Clear, gold body. Small, white head. Small bubbles. Good retention. Flavour: Medium pine, candied orange. Medium-high bitterness, well balanced with the malty sweetness. Dry finish with hints of bitterness and sweetness. Mouthfeel: Medium-light body. Medium carbonation. Overall: Good flavours and aromas. A pretty beer that is tasty and leaves me begging for more. 330 ml bottle, poured. Wednesday, January 15, 2020
AnonUser54728	2.1 Harrington's Traveller NZ Pale Ale Aroma: Medium citrus, Medium-light pine. Appearance: Clear, amber body with floaters. Small, offwhite head with good retention. Small bubbles. Flavour: Medium bitterness. Light smokey note. Medium pine. Dry finish with pine, bitterness. Mouthfeel: Medium body, Medium carbonation. Overall: Floaters do not look good. Smokiness is not very pleasant, and the bitterness is quite harsh, lacking maltiness for balance. 330 ml bottle, poured. Wednesday, January 15, 2020
AnonUser54728	2.6 Harrington's Classy Red Session Red IPA Aroma: Medium berries, toffee, floral. Appearance: Clear, copper body with floaters. Flavour: Medium bitterness. Medium toffee, berries, floral. Dry finish with berries. Mouthfeel: Medium body. Medium carbonation. Creamy. Overall: The floaters are an unpleasant sight. It lacks the punchiness of an IPA, I would say this is a really nice English Bitter (and I would score it higher as such). 330 ml bottle, poured. Wednesday, January 15, 2020
AnonUser54728	2.7 Harrington's Rogue Hop NZ Pilsner Aroma: Medium-high grassy, Appearance: Clear, yellow-gold body, Small, white head, fine bubbles. Fair retention. Flavour: Medium bitterness. Medium citrus, Medium-light pine. Dry finish with a hint of citrus pith. Mouthfeel: Medium body. Medium carbonation. Overall: Although I like the hoppiness, the malt is overpowered. I would like to get at least some hint of the malt in a pilsner. 330 ml bottle, poured. Wednesday, January 15, 2020
joe19612	3.3 Harrington's Yankdak APA Bottle. Pours a light gold colour with a thin white head, hoppy aroma with plenty of fruit especially orange, the taste is medium bitterness and fruity with a dry bitter finish. Sunday, December 15, 2019
joe19612	3.3 Harrington's Traveller NZ Pale Ale Bottle. Pours a deep gold colour with a thin white head, light hop aroma, the taste is medium bitterness and with a dry bitter finish. Sunday, December 15, 2019
SourRates20	2 Harrington's Belgian Tempest I bought this one based on the label description “spiced Belgium Ale”. Give me a break this is all Ale and almost zero traditional deep Belgium flavours or spice. In fact it is totally forgettable bland ale with micro hints of Belgium Trappist beers. Really disappointed and feel the label description is mis leading. This beer is a Belgian imposter. So boring I will not finish this bottle. Do yourself a favour a buy a Chimay or a Leffe if you want a Belgium beer. Monday, October 28, 2019
Aurelius	2 Harrington's Yankdak APA Standard longneck, functional label. Clear, medium gold with a white head with frogs' eggs. Sweet, candied malt aroma. Yuk. The hop mix makes this a fumble. Don't know if they think this is what we drink in the USA, but it's terrible. Drainpour. New World, Albany, Auckland. Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Aurelius	3 Harrington's Classy Red Session Red IPA Standard longneck, bad label. Clear chestnut brown with a short, fluffy khaki head. Sweet, tannic aroma with faint notes of hard cinnamon/nutmeg/allspice type spices. I also pick up dry mustard, oddly. Lightly sweet, low bittering, a little spicy bitterness. Rudderless, but not bad. Low carbonation, watery mouthfeel. Ah well, off to watch rugby. Part of a mixpack from Pak N Save, Albany, Auckland. Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Aurelius	3 Harrington's Wobbly Boot Porter Ale Standard longneck, functional label. Clear, dark ruby brown. Light, filmy head. Some fruitiness, light creosote, buffered/chalky acidity in the aroma. Sweet, a little pruney, acidic, light roast. Low carbonation, body is a little on the flaccid side. New World, Albany, Auckland. Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Aurelius	3.3 Harrington's Traveller NZ Pale Ale Standard longneck, perfunctory label. Mostly clear, marzen bronze pour without much head. Sort of a standard, slightly candied, APA aroma maybe a bit leafy. Sweet, notes of vanilla, low bittering, a little tannic, tea notes. Slippery mouthfeel, medium-low carbonation. Part of a mixpack, Pak N Save, Albany, Auckland. Monday, September 23, 2019
Aurelius	2.4 Harrington's Ngahere Gold Standard longneck, lackluster label. Definitely a strong lager aroma - malty and akin to Baltic, Russian and Soviet Bloc beers that I've had. Clear and specimen colored. Boozy, bocky, medicinal. Slippery mouthfeel with a cough syrup finish. I don't have anything very positive to say about this brew. Pak N Save, Albany, Auckland. Sunday, September 22, 2019
Aurelius	2.8 Harrington's Rogue Hop NZ Pilsner Wow, I'm having a hard time putting my finger on the aroma in this brew. Slightly baked/smoked flavor, maybe milky -- I have it, baked brie. Not bad, just not expected. Standard longneck, thoughtless label. Clear, intense gold, trivial head. Not crisp. Biscuity, some parched straw, fairly sweet. Medium body, low carbonation. Not a drainpour, but not very entertaining either. Pak N Save, Albany, Auckland. Sunday, September 22, 2019
BarleyChamp35	2.5 Harrington's Wobbly Boot Porter Ale Monday, July 22, 2019
WortMonger32	5 Harrington's Ngahere Gold Sunday, July 7, 2019
ChewyBeer	3.2 Harrington's Wobbly Boot Porter Ale Apperance: clear, jet black, no head Aroma: roasted malts, not burnt Palate: medium light mouthfeel, low carbonation Taste: roast malts, not tart, slight sweetness that balances the flavours well Sunday, June 23, 2019
SampleMaestro31	2.4 Harrington's Rogue Hop NZ Pilsner Since Lion has taken over I am sure they have altered a great beer. Seems to have lost its unique gooseberry taste and now taste bland. Thought I may have been mistaken but spoke to a mate who said he believed the same with him giving his impression before I told him my thoughts. Unfortunatley unable to find contact now to check. Oh well atleast there are other great Craft beers out there free from Lion or DB!! Monday, May 13, 2019
Lunkie	2.6 Harrington's Brewers' Selection Doppelbock Light sweet malt aroma. Clear Amber colour good head and lacing. Malt roast light chocolate flavour. Smooth palate. Friday, May 10, 2019
Lunkie	2.4 Harrington's Big John Special Reserve Roast malt sweet aroma with spice. Clear red Amber colour fair head and lacing. Sweet malt flavour. Smooth palate. Friday, May 10, 2019
Lunkie	2 Harrington's Strongman Sweet hop malt aroma. Clear yellow Amber colour poor head and lacing. Malt spice hop flavour. Flat palate. Friday, May 10, 2019
Lunkie	1.9 Harrington's Wobbly Boot Porter Ale Light malt aroma. Clear red dark brown colour good head and lacing. Roast malt flavour. Smooth palate. Friday, May 10, 2019
flantieripa	3.5 Harrington's Yankdak APA 330ml bottle Bonne bière avec un joli corps ! De bons arômes de pins et de citrons, on ressent bien la complexité des houblons. Une amertume bien contrôlée pour un résultat très satisfaisant ! Je recommande Tuesday, April 23, 2019
digby	4.9 Harrington's Yankdak APA Slightly hazed amber colour with a one fingered head. Well carbonated. Aroma of citrus, orange, pine with a hint of mango. Carbonation pushes the beer around the mouth. Nice refreshing bitterness, with citrus notes. Well balanced. Another lovely beer to have on a warm day. Monday, March 4, 2019
Beamer	2.9 Harrington's Razor Back Amber kleurig bier met een mooie volle schuimkraag, licht zoet en licht bitter met een bittere nasmaak. Medium body. Friday, February 1, 2019
KiwiSwe	3 Harrington's Belgian Tempest Monday, January 7, 2019
Manslow	2.9 Harrington's Belgian Tempest Kolor jasno złoty, lekko zmętniałe, piana szybko opada. W aromacie trochę warzyw, słody, goryczka drażniąca podniebienie, dużo przypraw, lekko słodkawe i gorzkie. Wednesday, December 5, 2018
Manslow	3.5 Harrington's Wobbly Boot Porter Ale Kolor czarny wpadający w brązowy pod światło, klarowne. Piana dość szybko opada zostawiając lekkie ślady na szkle, małe nagazowanie w smaku wytrawna czekolda i trochę karmelu, przyjemne w piciu. Wednesday, December 5, 2018
berkshirejohn	2.9 Harrington's Wobbly Boot Porter Ale 50cl bottle from a Countdown supermarket in Christchurch. A cola coloured pour with a ring of cream head; aroma of roasted malts and some burnt sugar; rather thin in the mouth, with burnt sugar and chocolate malts; and a bitter roasted grain finish with a touch of licorice. Lacking depth. Wednesday, November 28, 2018
rosskyle	2.4 Harrington's Belgian Tempest Bottle. Golden amber color with a white head. Grain yeast aroma. Not much flavor. Mild grain yeast spice. Medium body. Very bland. ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone Thursday, November 22, 2018
ANZUShophunter	3.8 Harrington's Hooligan New England IPA From bottle in IPA glass. Pours slightly hazy golden amber with 2cm off-white head, fruity aroma of peach & melon. Not as hazy as current NEIPA but taste is in that direction w/lingering bitter finish Sunday, September 16, 2018
ijbullo	3.6 Harrington's Wobbly Boot Porter Ale Saturday, August 4, 2018
mountdad	1.9 Harrington's Ngahere Gold 330ml bottle. Pours pale gold with a bit of haze. Not much but some alcohol on the nose. Not enough of "Nelson's finest hops" in here, too mild for the ABV. Disappointing. Friday, July 20, 2018
mountdad	2.5 Harrington's East Indies Lager 330ml bottle. Pours like a lager, OK head. Not much on the nose. Mild bitterness, clean enough & dry but very ordinary. Friday, July 20, 2018
mountdad	3.1 Harrington's Wobbly Boot Porter Ale 500ml bottle. Pours dark brown with hint of red. Dark roasted malt with hints of chocolate but a bit thin and lacking in body. A bargain priced (NZ$5) Porter that probably reflects fair value for money. Worth getting when you are on a budget. Friday, July 20, 2018
mountdad	2.6 Harrington's Yankdak APA 330ml bottle. Pours a light gold with decent white head. Mild hop aroma on the nose with a touch of malt. Hops fairly restrained, mild bitterness, yeah nah. Not bad but forgettable.. Friday, July 20, 2018
mountdad	3 Harrington's Rogue Hop NZ Pilsner 330ml bottle. Pours pale gold with minimal head. Some hoppy grass & citrus on the nose which follows through on the palate. Perhaps true to the name it's like a Pilsner that had a bit much hops added. Not a great Pilsner & I suspect not enough hops for the IPA fans. Friday, July 20, 2018
mountdad	3.3 Harrington's Classy Red Session Red IPA 330ml bottle. Not much on the nose, some nice citrus and sweet malt on the palate, finishes off clean enough. Not memorable enough to buy again. Friday, July 20, 2018
mountdad	2.8 Harrington's Belgian Tempest 500ml bottle for NZ$5. Pours orange with a bit of haze. Bit of orange peel but sweetness is a bit over the top as is the yeast. Not one I'd buy again. Friday, July 20, 2018
Skarecrow	2.5 Harrington's Kalaga 330ml can Gold color with OK head. Sweet malty aroma and taste. Average lager. Wednesday, June 20, 2018