Boston-based Harpoon Brewery is using water from the Charles River to brew a new batch of beer. The river's water for decades was considered so dirty that it was dangerous to consume, but that was before years of cleanup efforts. Besides, the 300 gallons of water drawn from the river to make a limited 18-keg batch of Charles River Pale Ale has gone through a purification process done by Newton-based Desalitech.

Harpoon President Charles Storey says the brewery would never make a beer that does not comply with its own quality control protocols. Environmentalists say they love the symbolism of using Charles River water. The filthy water in the river and Boston Harbor was made famous in the 1966 song by the Standells, "Dirty Water."

-- Associated Press