Have you ever known of anyone to go from sitting on their couch for six months straight, to running a full marathon in one day? Don't worry, neither have I. And just like no one hops up and is fully ready for such a task at a moments notice, I feel like the world of better beer might be served better if it was viewed as a marathon as well. If you attempt go from mass produced garbage beer to some of the craft beer champions out there without any preparation, you can blow your palate completely away, ruining it for quite some time, much like one could blow out a hamstring without proper stretching and conditioning. It is perfectly fine to set huge goals for oneself, and I highly recommend it, but always know that it takes hard work and determination to attain any goal, and that includes being able to drink finish line beers like that of the Leviathan Quad from Harpoon Brewery.

In the glass, the Leviathan Quad immediately shows off one of its best features. It takes on a deep, rosy red, bordering on brown, coloration that is quite eye catching. There is little head to speak of, most likely due to the 11.75% ABV, but what I did manage to get on a highly aggressive pour had a very fluffy consistency, with an eggshell coloration. The aromas are bountiful and big. To say there is a lot going on in the glass would be an understatement. Lots of dark fruits lay right on top, including plums, raisins, and very ripe figs. As it warms, a nice peppery spice layer can be found, and it works very nicely in balancing out the sweet fruit smells. Dig even deeper, and you might even find a hint of vanilla laying around in spots. There is a bit of an alcohol burn in the nose, but as mentioned before, with an ABV this high, it is to be expected.

When you take the first sip, take a minute and let it sit on your tongue before you swallow. This gives your tongue a moment to let the alcohol burn to settle in, as well as you a minute to appreciate the overall smoothness of things. Those dark fruits are again very upfront, only this time there is a bit of burnt brown sugar with them as well. At times, the notes of vanilla come through to change things up, but never get distracting. The alcohol burn never lets up, but if you gave it a moment of adjustment time at the beginning, it actually becomes very enjoyable. And as with all big beers of this nature, do some digging below the surface layers, and more delicate flavors can be found. Toffee and caramel are most notable here, and trust me when I say they are worth the dig. The surprising thing is that there is no real aftertaste. The flavor lingers for just a moment after you swallow, but as soon as it is detected, it is gone. Translation? Sip it often and repeat.

The Leviathan Quad is one of those beers that demands your full attention, and rightfully so. As mentioned above, there are various big and bold characteristics dancing around in the glass, but beyond all that, there are numerous delicate highlights that can get lost if you don't take your time with it. Feel free to devote a nice, long session with it. Pay attention to how the flavors change as it warms. Study how even the mouthfeel can give you different feels at different temperatures. I feel as though recommending this offering from Harpoon Brewery to any level drinker might be slightly unfair. The Leviathan Quad is one of those finish line beers for those of us in the journey for better beer. You really need to work your way up to it in order to fully appreciate it. Beginners simply aren't ready for something this big. Make it a goal for your future. Just remember, your journey isn't that of sprint proportions. The better beer path is more like a marathon. Remain steady and keep a good pace. It doesn't matter how long it takes. The finish line will be waiting for you no matter when you reach it.