1065. Jedi Mind Trick
I had my first interview for a post-doc on July 29th. Jadyn took me out for dinner at the CBC to celebrate getting a job offer.
Their description:
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Jedi Mind Trick
Alcohol: 7.50%
Serving: Tap
Style: Belgian IPA
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.5 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.9
Jedi Mind Trick pours a very cloudy golden. It's topped by a white head that fades to a ring, and leaves patchy lace. There's a nice fruitiness in the aroma. There are notes of banana, citrus, yeast, and peppery spice. There are also more subtle notes of crisp, grassy hops.
The initial burst of banana fruitiness is quickly met by an intense dryness that moves through to the finish where peppery spice blends with resiny and grassy hops flavors, and a strong bitterness in the finish. The carbonation lends a nice crispness to the beer that complements the dryness nicely.
I thought this was a nice beer, though the hops slightly overpower much of the fruitiness contributed by the yeast.
I had my first interview for a post-doc on July 29th. Jadyn took me out for dinner at the CBC to celebrate getting a job offer.
Their description:
Cambridge Brewing Company, at One Kendall Square in Cambridge, MA,
will not be releasing a beer called Jedi Mind Trick on Friday July 24.
The brewers at CBC have not created any such beer.
It is not a hoppy expression of Belgian tripel.
Nor is it a Belgian strong golden with plenty of American hops.
It does not have a balanced, clean malty palate,
floral-spicy hop aroma, subtle fruitiness
from their proprietary yeast strain.
No crisp carbonation or creamy head.
This isn't the beer you're looking for.
There is nothing to see here.
You can go about your business.
Move along.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Jedi Mind Trick
Alcohol: 7.50%
Serving: Tap
Style: Belgian IPA
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.5 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.9
Jedi Mind Trick pours a very cloudy golden. It's topped by a white head that fades to a ring, and leaves patchy lace. There's a nice fruitiness in the aroma. There are notes of banana, citrus, yeast, and peppery spice. There are also more subtle notes of crisp, grassy hops.
The initial burst of banana fruitiness is quickly met by an intense dryness that moves through to the finish where peppery spice blends with resiny and grassy hops flavors, and a strong bitterness in the finish. The carbonation lends a nice crispness to the beer that complements the dryness nicely.
I thought this was a nice beer, though the hops slightly overpower much of the fruitiness contributed by the yeast.
Labels: Cambridge Brewing Company
1011. Reckoning
Jadyn and I went to dinner at Cambridge Brewing Company last night (April 22nd). It was mostly spurred by the release of their second 20th anniversary beer, Reckoning, which was fermented with only Brettanomyces. Their current beer list is huge, probably 20 beers or so available on tap, either is for the Craft Brewers Conference, or for their 20th anniversary.
From the website:
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 8.60%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Wild Ale
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.5 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.25
Pours a cloudy, pale, golden color, and is topped by a thin, white head that quickly fades to a ring. The strongest aroma evident is the characteristic 'hop sack' aroma contributed by Brettanomyces. Swirling brings out phenolic, funky and earthy aromas, somewhat reminiscent of lambic, but much more restrained. Underneath this wild character lies a mild fruitiness with hints of citrus, and banana.
There's a mild, bready sweetness upfront that builds into a fruity center with notes of grape, banana and citrus. This is mirrored by the flavors contributed by the Brett, which appear early on and build towards the center where they contribute a slight tartness. The Brett character mellows towards the center lending earthy and woody characters. The beer is medium-bodied and smooth with a prickly finish that moves into a nice dryness.
Perhaps I'm biased, but I love beers brewed with Brettanomyces. I thought that this beer had a nice mix of the wild characters that I like and an underlying fruitiness that helps to add depth.
Jadyn and I went to dinner at Cambridge Brewing Company last night (April 22nd). It was mostly spurred by the release of their second 20th anniversary beer, Reckoning, which was fermented with only Brettanomyces. Their current beer list is huge, probably 20 beers or so available on tap, either is for the Craft Brewers Conference, or for their 20th anniversary.
From the website:
Incidentally, this is also our first trip to the CBC since they updated their menu. I was sad to see the Cubano removed from the dinner menu, but at least it's still on the lunch menu. A notable addition to their appetizer menu is the "Local Picks Plate", which consists of "Artisanal Cheese, Cured Meat, Vegetable Pickles, Fruits, Local Honey, Fried Nuts." There's a picture of ours below. The cheese was very tasty as were the pickled vegetables, which included spring onions, cauliflower, and fiddlehead ferns. For dinner Jadyn had the Veggie Muffaletta sandwich, a new addition to the menu, and I had their barbecue burger, which was very tasty.Reckoning, or dead reckoning, is the process of estimating one's current position based upon a previously determined position, and advancing that position based upon known or estimated speeds over elapsed time, and course. It’s also the name of the Grateful Dead’s live album from the Warfield Theater run in 1981, a series of shows from which Phil ‘Brewdaddy’ Bannatyne was ejected personally by Bill Graham himself.
Reckoning also applies to CBC’s current position, as we celebrate our 20th anniversary – looking back on our path to this point, and plotting our course ahead into the future.
Reckoning, the beer, is a first for us, representing the first time we’ve brewed a beer with 100% Brettanomyces (Brett). Primary fermentation was in stainless, and it was then sent to the Barrel Cellar into five pinot noir barrels to finish fermentation and conditioning. Four months later this beer has emerged, full of fruit and funk.
Unfiltered, it presents a very cloudy mien and offers aromas of tropical fruit with a hint of fresh hay. On the palate, the grassy notes become much more earthy with hints of horse blanket and barnyard (in a good way. Trust me.) commingling with the fruity, high end of yeast character.
This funky brew references our history of pushing the boundaries of beer, from Belgians to Barrel Cellars,and from our traditional friend Saccharomyces to our unicellular brothers in weirdness like Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, and Brett.
We hope you enjoy it, and look forward as we do to twenty more years of great beer and good times.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 8.60%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Wild Ale
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.5 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.25
Pours a cloudy, pale, golden color, and is topped by a thin, white head that quickly fades to a ring. The strongest aroma evident is the characteristic 'hop sack' aroma contributed by Brettanomyces. Swirling brings out phenolic, funky and earthy aromas, somewhat reminiscent of lambic, but much more restrained. Underneath this wild character lies a mild fruitiness with hints of citrus, and banana.
There's a mild, bready sweetness upfront that builds into a fruity center with notes of grape, banana and citrus. This is mirrored by the flavors contributed by the Brett, which appear early on and build towards the center where they contribute a slight tartness. The Brett character mellows towards the center lending earthy and woody characters. The beer is medium-bodied and smooth with a prickly finish that moves into a nice dryness.
Perhaps I'm biased, but I love beers brewed with Brettanomyces. I thought that this beer had a nice mix of the wild characters that I like and an underlying fruitiness that helps to add depth.
Jadyn and I went to Cambridge Brewing Company on Sunday afternoon (March 22nd) for drinks after a quick stop in lab. They had two new beers on tap, both with Beatles themed names. I had to give both a try.
993. Golden Slumbers
From the website:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.50%
Serving: Tap
Style: German Pilsener, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.5 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.2
I normally don't seek out pilsners, because it seems like most that I try are substandard, flavorless affairs. They're easy to drink because they're lacking in flavor. I'm rarely disappointed by the CBC so I wanted to give theirs a try.
Golden Slumbers, like its name, pours a lightly cloudy, golden color. It's topped by a compact, bright white head that fades to a persistent film leaving patches of lace. Like most pils, the aroma is fairly subtle with grassy and herbal hop notes, as well as a bit of peppery hops.
Clean, malt flavors upfront, with only a mild sweetness running throughout the beer. Peppery and herbal flavors appear in the center with an accompanying hop bitterness in the finish. Clean, simple, but flavorful. Light-bodied and vigorously carbonated with a crisp, mildly dry finish.
This is what I like in a pils, a nice amount of flavor with a nice hop presence in the finish.
994. Sgt. Pepper
From the website:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: Saison / Farmhouse Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 3.0
Overall: 3.7
Pours a cloudy, golden amber. Topped by a white head that thins to film and leaves a bit of lace. The white pepper is the strongest component of the aroma, but there are also notes of caramel and a hint of Belgian yeast fruitiness.
Sweet malts upfront with a bit of caramel and banana fruitiness in the center. The finish is very peppery with a good amount of accompanying heat. Good but a bit peppery for my taste. Medium-bodied, vigorous carbonation and a lingering, warming spice.
An interesting, flavorful beer, but the spiciness is a bit much.
993. Golden Slumbers
From the website:
Our first lager beer in nearly eight years, our pils was brewed pilsner, Vienna, and Melanoidin malts and a touch of flaked rice to assist in providing dryness to the palate but rich malt flavors up front. Hops were a traditional combination of Czech Saaz and German Hallertauer and Tettnanger. Pure lager yeast from the Augustiner Brewery in Munich was employed, and temperatures were kept cold to accentuate malt and hop character. Lagering (or cold-aging) took place at 32*F for over one month, and this beer is presented to you in its beautiful golden, unfiltered state. Clean in the nose with floral and herbal hop notes, the palate is a hop-forward experience with cereal and malt flavors, a hint of sweetness, and a very crisp, clean finish.Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.50%
Serving: Tap
Style: German Pilsener, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.5 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.2
I normally don't seek out pilsners, because it seems like most that I try are substandard, flavorless affairs. They're easy to drink because they're lacking in flavor. I'm rarely disappointed by the CBC so I wanted to give theirs a try.
Golden Slumbers, like its name, pours a lightly cloudy, golden color. It's topped by a compact, bright white head that fades to a persistent film leaving patches of lace. Like most pils, the aroma is fairly subtle with grassy and herbal hop notes, as well as a bit of peppery hops.
Clean, malt flavors upfront, with only a mild sweetness running throughout the beer. Peppery and herbal flavors appear in the center with an accompanying hop bitterness in the finish. Clean, simple, but flavorful. Light-bodied and vigorously carbonated with a crisp, mildly dry finish.
This is what I like in a pils, a nice amount of flavor with a nice hop presence in the finish.
994. Sgt. Pepper
From the website:
Beer Stats:It was twenty years ago today…
Well, almost twenty years ago today, as we present to you the first of three special Anniversary Beers in celebration of our upcoming Twentieth Anniversary!It was April Fool’s Day, 1989, when Phil “Brewdaddy” Bannatyne first opened the doors to what would become one of the preeminent breweries in the country. Of course, true to the spirit of the day, it would be another month before the first house-made beers would be available on draft.
Sgt. Pepper has been brewed with Pilsner, CaraVienne, and Rye malts, plus Magnum and Spalter hops. But the driving force behind this beer is the contribution from whole peppercorns! Black, Green, White, and Pink Peppercorns were added to the brewkettle, and they provide a noticeable fresh, herbal spiciness to the nose and through the palate. Pink pepper provides a high, floral character mostly as an aromatic, and Green pepper offers an herbal freshness with slight heat. White pepper contributes a subtle earthiness, and Black pepper engages the palate in a lingering, tingling warmth. All combine to accentuate the complexities of our Belgian yeast, and are balanced by crisp malt character with a hint of sweetness.
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: Saison / Farmhouse Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 3.0
Overall: 3.7
Pours a cloudy, golden amber. Topped by a white head that thins to film and leaves a bit of lace. The white pepper is the strongest component of the aroma, but there are also notes of caramel and a hint of Belgian yeast fruitiness.
Sweet malts upfront with a bit of caramel and banana fruitiness in the center. The finish is very peppery with a good amount of accompanying heat. Good but a bit peppery for my taste. Medium-bodied, vigorous carbonation and a lingering, warming spice.
An interesting, flavorful beer, but the spiciness is a bit much.
Labels: Cambridge Brewing Company, German Pilsener, Saison
992. Abbey Normal
Jadyn and I had dinner at the CBC in early March. I had this beer with dinner.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 8.60%
Serving: Tap
Style: Dubbel, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.0 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 4.05
Pours a cloudy, reddish-tinged brown. Topped by a thin, filmy, beige head that leaves snaking trails of lace. There's a lovely malty aroma with notes of caramel, candi sugar, raisins, dates. There's also a light alcoholic character evident.
This beer is malty and sweet upfront: candi sugar, caramel, chocolate, and dark fruit. A peppery and alcoholic spiciness gives a warming sensation toward the finish, which is rounded out with good amount of bitterness. Medium-bodied and vigorously carbonated. The finish has a strong warming sensation.
Overall a very tasty beer, but with a strong spiciness.
Jadyn and I had dinner at the CBC in early March. I had this beer with dinner.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 8.60%
Serving: Tap
Style: Dubbel, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.0 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 4.05
Pours a cloudy, reddish-tinged brown. Topped by a thin, filmy, beige head that leaves snaking trails of lace. There's a lovely malty aroma with notes of caramel, candi sugar, raisins, dates. There's also a light alcoholic character evident.
This beer is malty and sweet upfront: candi sugar, caramel, chocolate, and dark fruit. A peppery and alcoholic spiciness gives a warming sensation toward the finish, which is rounded out with good amount of bitterness. Medium-bodied and vigorously carbonated. The finish has a strong warming sensation.
Overall a very tasty beer, but with a strong spiciness.
Labels: Cambridge Brewing Company, Dubbel
935. Never Mind the Bollekes!
From the CBC website:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.50%
Serving: Tap
Style: Belgian Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 5.0
Overall: 4.2
Pours a clear copper with a slight haze. Topped by a dense, fluffy, off-white head that leaves sheets of lace. The aroma is toasty, fruity in the Belgian yeast sort of way, peppery and a tad yeasty.
There's a sweet, bready, malt backbone. Banana fruitiness appears in the center and lingers into finish, which has a mild peppery spice and light bitterness. Light-bodied and a bit thin, perhaps a bit more carbonation would carry it through better.
Like its inspiration, the very model of a session beer.
From the CBC website:
Named after the infamous 1977 album by the Sex Pistols, but inspired by the world-class beer produced in Antwerp, Belgium, by the DeKoninck brewery. Their iconic beer, served in a spherical stemmed glass called a bolleke, is so closely identified in its native Antwerp with its glass that the term bolleke is most colloquially used to refer to a glass filled with the beer itself! In other words, one never orders ‘a glass of DeKoninck,’ one just orders ‘a bolleke.’ Wishing to avoid inciting a copyright infringement lawsuit, we’ve decided against serving our Belgian pale ale in a similar goblet, and instead you’ll find it gracing the flared bowl of our traditional tulip glass. Bright, unfiltered, pale-to-amber in color, it boasts plenty of fruity Begian yeast character. Medium-bodied, the flavors of pilsner and Munich-style malt balance deftly with spicy and floral hops. Hoppier than the Antwerpen amber ale we so admire, it is also of a sessionable nature and can be enjoyed throughout an evening’s conversation. Or in the midst of your favorite mosh pit. We hope our Antwerpen brewing brethren have a sense of humor about this!Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.50%
Serving: Tap
Style: Belgian Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 5.0
Overall: 4.2
Pours a clear copper with a slight haze. Topped by a dense, fluffy, off-white head that leaves sheets of lace. The aroma is toasty, fruity in the Belgian yeast sort of way, peppery and a tad yeasty.
There's a sweet, bready, malt backbone. Banana fruitiness appears in the center and lingers into finish, which has a mild peppery spice and light bitterness. Light-bodied and a bit thin, perhaps a bit more carbonation would carry it through better.
Like its inspiration, the very model of a session beer.
919. Up On Cripple Kriek
Jadyn and I had a couple of beers at the CBC on November 19th. They had a "limited release" Kriek on tap, so I had to try it.
From the website:
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: Flanders Red Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.5 | Drinkability:4.0
Overall: 3.95
Pours a deeply cloudy, red hued brown. No head was evident when it was served, though a few stray bubbles around the edges were constantly renewed. Swirling brings up a transient, beige, filmy head. There's quite a bit going on in the aroma. The first thing I noticed were oaky, tannic aromas in addition to acidic, cherry notes. As the beer warmed more malty aromas appeared: caramel, molasses and a faint hint of vanilla.
The tartness in this beer is evident immediately, accentuated by the prickly carbonation, but isn't mouth-puckering or overly-strong. A cherry sweetness appears in the center, moreso than a traditional kriek, but not overly sweet. The finish is lightly funky and lightly oaky, which contributes a good bit of dryness to the beer. Light-bodied throughout.
I think the key to this beer is balance. It's both sweet and tart, but not in excess. I prefer sourer beers, but this was nice.
Jadyn and I had a couple of beers at the CBC on November 19th. They had a "limited release" Kriek on tap, so I had to try it.
From the website:
This malty amber-colored ale was brewed as a postscript to our famous Cerise Cassée. Basically we were just tryin’ out a new batch of sour cherries, we had a little left over after brewing, and we needed something to put ‘em into. Just enough, we thought, to flavor a little ten gallon batch of beer with some nice caramel malt flavors complimenting that tart cherry character. Of course, we didn’t expect we’d age it for over a year and a half, but things occasionally get lost and forgotten about. And our (temporary) loss is, of course, your gain. Medium-to-full bodied, and served in our flute glasses emphasizing its beautiful amber-red color and intensifying its cherry and malt nose. Not too tart, not too sweet.It's not quite a lambic, but I thought that the taste was closest to a Flanders Red Ale, so that's what I'm putting for the style.
Just a nice brown ale with cherries.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: Flanders Red Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.5 | Drinkability:4.0
Overall: 3.95
Pours a deeply cloudy, red hued brown. No head was evident when it was served, though a few stray bubbles around the edges were constantly renewed. Swirling brings up a transient, beige, filmy head. There's quite a bit going on in the aroma. The first thing I noticed were oaky, tannic aromas in addition to acidic, cherry notes. As the beer warmed more malty aromas appeared: caramel, molasses and a faint hint of vanilla.
The tartness in this beer is evident immediately, accentuated by the prickly carbonation, but isn't mouth-puckering or overly-strong. A cherry sweetness appears in the center, moreso than a traditional kriek, but not overly sweet. The finish is lightly funky and lightly oaky, which contributes a good bit of dryness to the beer. Light-bodied throughout.
I think the key to this beer is balance. It's both sweet and tart, but not in excess. I prefer sourer beers, but this was nice.
Scott, a friend from Texas, was in town the weekend of November 8th, so we met at the CBC for dinner and drinks. There were two new beers on tap so I had one of each.
915. The Audacity of Hops
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: Belgian IPA
Appearance: 4.5 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 5.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.5 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.7
I have to admit, I have mixed feelings about Belgian IPAs. I love the concept, and I've enjoyed most of the Belgian IPAs that I've tried. However, most of the examples that I've had seem to be more like a heavily hopped Belgian Strong Pale Ale/Tripel rather than an IPA with a Belgian flavor profile. The characteristic Belgian flavors still seem to dominate. The hops are evident, but aren't the focus, nothing about them really makes me think IPA.
The Audacity of Hops is what I've wanted in a Belgian IPA. Lots of hop flavor with the Belgian characteristics providing the balancing backbone of the beer. The hops seem like the focus rather than an afterthought. You may disagree, but this is what I think a Belgian IPA should be
The Audacity of Hops pours a deeply cloudy golden. Topped by a thick white head that thins to a film leaving sheets of lace. The aroma says IPA more than Belgian. The citric and resiny hop aromas are most evident, with a bit of underlying Belgian yeast fruitiness.
The malts start sweet with bready and caramel notes. The center is fruity, with notes of banana. The finish has a yeasty and peppery kick. The hops are noticeable throughout, but really become strong in the finish with nice resiny and herbal hop flavors that linger in the aftertaste along with a pleasing bitterness. Medium-bodied, with a bit of oiliness from the hops, and a good amount of carbonation without being overdone.
Hoppy, but balanced well. Crisp and drinkable. Like I said, this is what a Belgian IPA should be.
916. Spinal Pumpkin
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 11.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Barleywine, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.0
This is a "Pumpkin Barleywine" brewed with eleven varietals of heirloom pumpkins, as well as spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. Beer Advocate lists this as a Pumpkin Ale, but I'm going to go with the base style.
Pours a hazy, amber brown with a thin, wispy head that fades to a few stray bubbles. Pumpkin, pumpkin, pumpkin. Strong aromas of pumpkin flesh with a bit of cinnamon and nutmeg to complement.
Sweet pumpkin upfront, caramel malts in the center, with a finish of cinnamon and nutmeg complemented by a mild bitterness. Full-bodied and smooth with a mild carbonation.
The alcohol is so well hidden. The beer is a tad sweet but a light, lingering bitterness goes a long way for balance.
915. The Audacity of Hops
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: Belgian IPA
Appearance: 4.5 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 5.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.5 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.7
I have to admit, I have mixed feelings about Belgian IPAs. I love the concept, and I've enjoyed most of the Belgian IPAs that I've tried. However, most of the examples that I've had seem to be more like a heavily hopped Belgian Strong Pale Ale/Tripel rather than an IPA with a Belgian flavor profile. The characteristic Belgian flavors still seem to dominate. The hops are evident, but aren't the focus, nothing about them really makes me think IPA.
The Audacity of Hops is what I've wanted in a Belgian IPA. Lots of hop flavor with the Belgian characteristics providing the balancing backbone of the beer. The hops seem like the focus rather than an afterthought. You may disagree, but this is what I think a Belgian IPA should be
The Audacity of Hops pours a deeply cloudy golden. Topped by a thick white head that thins to a film leaving sheets of lace. The aroma says IPA more than Belgian. The citric and resiny hop aromas are most evident, with a bit of underlying Belgian yeast fruitiness.
The malts start sweet with bready and caramel notes. The center is fruity, with notes of banana. The finish has a yeasty and peppery kick. The hops are noticeable throughout, but really become strong in the finish with nice resiny and herbal hop flavors that linger in the aftertaste along with a pleasing bitterness. Medium-bodied, with a bit of oiliness from the hops, and a good amount of carbonation without being overdone.
Hoppy, but balanced well. Crisp and drinkable. Like I said, this is what a Belgian IPA should be.
916. Spinal Pumpkin
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 11.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Barleywine, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.0
This is a "Pumpkin Barleywine" brewed with eleven varietals of heirloom pumpkins, as well as spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. Beer Advocate lists this as a Pumpkin Ale, but I'm going to go with the base style.
Pours a hazy, amber brown with a thin, wispy head that fades to a few stray bubbles. Pumpkin, pumpkin, pumpkin. Strong aromas of pumpkin flesh with a bit of cinnamon and nutmeg to complement.
Sweet pumpkin upfront, caramel malts in the center, with a finish of cinnamon and nutmeg complemented by a mild bitterness. Full-bodied and smooth with a mild carbonation.
The alcohol is so well hidden. The beer is a tad sweet but a light, lingering bitterness goes a long way for balance.
Labels: American Barleywine, Belgian IPA, Cambridge Brewing Company
David and I had already sobered up a bit by the time we got back from Salem. Jadyn had to do some lab work, so David and I decided to burn time at the CBC before our dinner reservations at Hungry Mother.
Since David is an enabler, he insisted that I get a sampler with all of the beers on the menu that I hadn't had. Shockingly I hadn't had two of their standard offerings. Now I've had the complete house beer lineup.
908. Regatta Golden
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 4.20%
Serving: Tap
Style: Kölsch, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear, pale, golden yellow. Topped by a thick, fluffy, white head that clings to the side of the glass. Subtle grassy and peppery notes in the aroma, leaves a crisp impression. Clean and crisp with a nice grassy quality. The finish has a nice peppery quality and a nice hop bitterness.
909. Tall Tale Pale Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.90%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazed copper. Topped by a thin, white head that fades to a ring. There are aromas of caramel malts, a juicy apricot fruitiness, and pungent resiny hops. Bready and caramel malts upfront move into an apricot fruitiness before a dry, grassy, herbal hop bitterness in the finish. This one is very tasty. I'm surprised I haven't tried it before. Very good.
910. 21 Bones Salute
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.75%
Serving: Tap
Style: Extra Special/Strong Bitter (ESB), BJCP Style Guide
This beer is a tribute to 21 years of Red Bones BBQ in Davis Square. Pours a deep amber-copper. A thin beige head fades to a thin ring. The aroma is fairly mild, but is toasty and bready with a tinge of resiny hops. Mild bready and caramel sweetness upfront moves into a resiny hop finish with some citric character.
911. Blackout Stout
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 3.80%
Serving: Tap
Style: Irish Dry Stout, BJCP Style Guide
Blackout Stout is a very dark brown with garnet tints. A dense, brown head thins to a film leaving huge patches of lace. The aroma is a typical Irish Stout aroma: hints of dark fruit under a roasted malt aroma that's neither chocolate or coffee. Roasty backbone, with a light sweetness throughout. Notes of chocolate and coffee with a roasted bitterness in the finish.
912. Arquebus
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 10.75%
Serving: Tap
Style: English Barley Wine, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazed copper with no visible head. The aroma is very malty. Sharp cherries, general fruitiness. Swirling brings out caramel malts. Upfront there are notes of caramel and raw sugar. There's a tart fruitiness in the center. The finish is lightly bitter with a warming alcoholic spice.
Since David is an enabler, he insisted that I get a sampler with all of the beers on the menu that I hadn't had. Shockingly I hadn't had two of their standard offerings. Now I've had the complete house beer lineup.
908. Regatta Golden
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 4.20%
Serving: Tap
Style: Kölsch, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear, pale, golden yellow. Topped by a thick, fluffy, white head that clings to the side of the glass. Subtle grassy and peppery notes in the aroma, leaves a crisp impression. Clean and crisp with a nice grassy quality. The finish has a nice peppery quality and a nice hop bitterness.
909. Tall Tale Pale Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.90%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazed copper. Topped by a thin, white head that fades to a ring. There are aromas of caramel malts, a juicy apricot fruitiness, and pungent resiny hops. Bready and caramel malts upfront move into an apricot fruitiness before a dry, grassy, herbal hop bitterness in the finish. This one is very tasty. I'm surprised I haven't tried it before. Very good.
910. 21 Bones Salute
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.75%
Serving: Tap
Style: Extra Special/Strong Bitter (ESB), BJCP Style Guide
This beer is a tribute to 21 years of Red Bones BBQ in Davis Square. Pours a deep amber-copper. A thin beige head fades to a thin ring. The aroma is fairly mild, but is toasty and bready with a tinge of resiny hops. Mild bready and caramel sweetness upfront moves into a resiny hop finish with some citric character.
911. Blackout Stout
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 3.80%
Serving: Tap
Style: Irish Dry Stout, BJCP Style Guide
Blackout Stout is a very dark brown with garnet tints. A dense, brown head thins to a film leaving huge patches of lace. The aroma is a typical Irish Stout aroma: hints of dark fruit under a roasted malt aroma that's neither chocolate or coffee. Roasty backbone, with a light sweetness throughout. Notes of chocolate and coffee with a roasted bitterness in the finish.
912. Arquebus
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 10.75%
Serving: Tap
Style: English Barley Wine, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazed copper with no visible head. The aroma is very malty. Sharp cherries, general fruitiness. Swirling brings out caramel malts. Upfront there are notes of caramel and raw sugar. There's a tart fruitiness in the center. The finish is lightly bitter with a warming alcoholic spice.
Labels: American Pale Ale, Cambridge Brewing Company, English Barley Wine, Extra Special/Strong Bitter (ESB), Irish Dry Stout, Kölsch
898. Gourd of the Rings
I had this on tap at the CBC in early October. It sounded good so I decide to give it a try.
From the website:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.70%
Serving: Tap
Style: Saison, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.0
The CBC seems to be on a pumpkin beer binge. Three pumpkin beers are currently available on tap (as of 11/12).
Pours a cloudy, golden tinted, straw color. Topped by a thin white head that fades to nothing. The aroma is floral with ginger and peppery spice. Swirling brings out a bit of pumpkin, yeast and a grassy undertone.
Neutral toasty malts upfront. Sweet through the center with a nice pumpkin flavor that melds with the ginger spice. The finish is grassy with some citric hints, peppery, yeasty and mildly bitter. Highly carbonated, medium-bodied with a lightly dry feel in the finish.
An interesting mix of flavors. Sweet overall, but the light spice helps moderate.
I had this on tap at the CBC in early October. It sounded good so I decide to give it a try.
From the website:
Gourd of the Rings wears a pale yellow hue from a mix of Belgian pilsner, Vienna and wheat malts. A moderate hop profile allows the notes of fresh ginger, black pepper and fresh orange to take prominence over any lingering bitterness. The spicy notes of our authentic Belgian yeast strain also allow the pumpkin to express itself subtly and not overwhelm the delicate palate.Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.70%
Serving: Tap
Style: Saison, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.0
The CBC seems to be on a pumpkin beer binge. Three pumpkin beers are currently available on tap (as of 11/12).
Pours a cloudy, golden tinted, straw color. Topped by a thin white head that fades to nothing. The aroma is floral with ginger and peppery spice. Swirling brings out a bit of pumpkin, yeast and a grassy undertone.
Neutral toasty malts upfront. Sweet through the center with a nice pumpkin flavor that melds with the ginger spice. The finish is grassy with some citric hints, peppery, yeasty and mildly bitter. Highly carbonated, medium-bodied with a lightly dry feel in the finish.
An interesting mix of flavors. Sweet overall, but the light spice helps moderate.
Labels: Cambridge Brewing Company, Saison
865. Berliner Kendall
I had a glass of this with brunch at the CBC sometime in August.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 4.30%
Serving: Tap
Style: Berliner Weissbier, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 3.95
Pours a cloudy, straw golden with a sudsy head that thins to a ring. The aroma is fairly light with notes of banana, citrus, acidic sourness, and a grainy character.
Lightly sweet with banana and citrus flavors and pleasing tartness in the finish. Light-bodied and crisp with a light dryness in the finish.
Flavorful, refreshing and pleasingly tart.
I had a glass of this with brunch at the CBC sometime in August.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 4.30%
Serving: Tap
Style: Berliner Weissbier, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 3.95
Pours a cloudy, straw golden with a sudsy head that thins to a ring. The aroma is fairly light with notes of banana, citrus, acidic sourness, and a grainy character.
Lightly sweet with banana and citrus flavors and pleasing tartness in the finish. Light-bodied and crisp with a light dryness in the finish.
Flavorful, refreshing and pleasingly tart.
864. Petit Mort
I had this with lunch at the CBC in early August (yes I'm that far behind).
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 8.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: Tripel, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.1
Pours a hazed copper golden. A wispy, white head tops the beer and lingers until the beer is finished. The nose has notes of peppery spice, honey, floral aromas and citrus.
Sweet, bready and fruity malts upfront. Banana and honey notes in center moving towards spicy and citric finish with a light bitterness. Medium-bodied with a nice prickly dose of carbonation.
Bright, summery and very tasty
I had this with lunch at the CBC in early August (yes I'm that far behind).
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 8.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: Tripel, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.1
Pours a hazed copper golden. A wispy, white head tops the beer and lingers until the beer is finished. The nose has notes of peppery spice, honey, floral aromas and citrus.
Sweet, bready and fruity malts upfront. Banana and honey notes in center moving towards spicy and citric finish with a light bitterness. Medium-bodied with a nice prickly dose of carbonation.
Bright, summery and very tasty
Labels: Cambridge Brewing Company, Tripel
825. Bitchin Bitter
I had this at the CBC sometime not long after I got back from New York.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: English Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.75
Pours a hazy amber that borders on a brownish copper. The beige head hd faded to a wispy film by the time our beers arrived. The aroma has notes of light caramel, a slight nuttiness, and a some herbal hops.
Sweet bready notes upfront that moves through to a bit of toastiness that seamlessly blends with a light grassy bitterness in the finish that's accented by a bright citric flavor that appears just before the finish. Medium-bodied and highly carbonated with a bit of a grainy texture in the finish.
Nicely balanced and drinkable.
I had this at the CBC sometime not long after I got back from New York.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: English Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.75
Pours a hazy amber that borders on a brownish copper. The beige head hd faded to a wispy film by the time our beers arrived. The aroma has notes of light caramel, a slight nuttiness, and a some herbal hops.
Sweet bready notes upfront that moves through to a bit of toastiness that seamlessly blends with a light grassy bitterness in the finish that's accented by a bright citric flavor that appears just before the finish. Medium-bodied and highly carbonated with a bit of a grainy texture in the finish.
Nicely balanced and drinkable.
Labels: Cambridge Brewing Company, English Bitter
805. Spring Training IPA
I had this beer awhile ago at the CBC, unfortunately I don't remember when, probably late February or early March. I've started carrying around my digital camera with me so in the future I should have shots of beers at restaurants and such.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.60%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 5.0 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.65
Pours a particularly lovely, golden, straw color. The bright, white head thins to a thin, lasting layer over the surface of the beer. The aroma is, for lack of a better word, fresh. The hop aromas are nice mix of citrus, grassy and floral. There's also a light maltiness evident under the bright hop aromas.
The malt backbone of this beer is toasty and lightly sweet with a bit of fruitiness. The hop finish is grassy and strong. Medium-bodied, high-carbonation and a tad oily across the palate.
I thought this was a nice, hop-focused IPA that creatively used different hop varieties to evoke the spring. It gets high marks for the impeccable execution of the brewers intent (unfortunately I can't find the description on the CBC website).
I had this beer awhile ago at the CBC, unfortunately I don't remember when, probably late February or early March. I've started carrying around my digital camera with me so in the future I should have shots of beers at restaurants and such.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.60%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 5.0 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.65
Pours a particularly lovely, golden, straw color. The bright, white head thins to a thin, lasting layer over the surface of the beer. The aroma is, for lack of a better word, fresh. The hop aromas are nice mix of citrus, grassy and floral. There's also a light maltiness evident under the bright hop aromas.
The malt backbone of this beer is toasty and lightly sweet with a bit of fruitiness. The hop finish is grassy and strong. Medium-bodied, high-carbonation and a tad oily across the palate.
I thought this was a nice, hop-focused IPA that creatively used different hop varieties to evoke the spring. It gets high marks for the impeccable execution of the brewers intent (unfortunately I can't find the description on the CBC website).
Labels: American IPA, Cambridge Brewing Company
David and Win came to Boston on the weekend of the 15th of February, as a kind of combined February birthday thin (Win and I). On Friday night we had dinner, went to a play, and then ended up at the CBC for drinks afterwards. I had two new beers, one that I've seen around a lot but never tried, and another that I hadn't seen before. This is the first in a series of posts from this weekend that I've been procrastinating on. There's our trip to The Extreme Beer Fest, Polish beers at Cafe Polonia, beers at Deep Ellum, and beers at the Publick House. I'm going to try to get through them in the next week or so.
761. Big Man Ale
I've seen Big Man Ale on tap at the CBC many times before, but never got around to trying it. I finally did this night. The CBC website says:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.80%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Strong Ale
My notes are pretty minimal for this beer. It was nicely balanced. The caramel malts kept things balanced while still letting the citrusy hops retain the focus.
762. Om
The description of Om reads like it was a strange experiment in brewing, which should always be encouraged even if the results aren't the greatest. I was tempted by mention of Brettanomyces, but when am I not? The website says:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 9.40%
Serving: Tap
Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazy golden color with no head and no evidence of carbonation. The aroma is insanely fruity, pineapple aromas are what I noticed. There are also some nice honey notes. The flavors are similar as well, very strong pineapple, honey and woodiness. Medium-bodied with a dry finish. The flavors were quite nice, but the beer was too sweet in my opinion.
761. Big Man Ale
I've seen Big Man Ale on tap at the CBC many times before, but never got around to trying it. I finally did this night. The CBC website says:
Deep copper-colored, it boasts a full body complemented by strong, robust flavors. Its rich notes of malt and caramel are offset by very aggressive hopping--it is kettle-hopped with Galena, Cascade and Centennial hops and further dry-hopped with even more Centennials and Cascades. These hop varieties lend a fruity, citrusy character to this big beer, vaguely in the style of a strong stock ale or I.P.A.Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.80%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Strong Ale
My notes are pretty minimal for this beer. It was nicely balanced. The caramel malts kept things balanced while still letting the citrusy hops retain the focus.
762. Om
The description of Om reads like it was a strange experiment in brewing, which should always be encouraged even if the results aren't the greatest. I was tempted by mention of Brettanomyces, but when am I not? The website says:
Beer Stats:This beer represents a new venture into the world of beer and mystical experience. Contemporary theories of sound therapy are incorporated into a process which aligns this Belgian-style golden ale to the specific frequency
that is expressed in meditation circles by the mantra "OM.”While resting in French oak chardonnay barrels for six months, the barrels and their contents were vibrated using therapeutic tuning forks and Tibetan chanting bowls at a frequency of 136.10 Hz @ 432.10 Hz. Studies have shown that vibration affects the crystalline structure of liquids and that water has the ability to 'memorize' frequency information and hold sound at nearly five times the magnitude of air. From Plato to Pythagoras to Kepler scholars have experimented with ways in which we define the sound of the universe and how it is relative to our own existence.
Our process created an optimal environment, also, for the naturally residing microflora in the oak, bringing into the beer subtle expressions of Brettanomyces which complement the beer’s dry but malty palate with flavors and aromas of pineapple and peach fruit.
OM expresses a truly harmonious balance of honeyed malt and hop, yeast and flora, and oak character, with a final stated goal of assisting humanity in its quest towards inner bliss, equanimity, and world harmony. Oh, and it’s delicious.
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 9.40%
Serving: Tap
Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazy golden color with no head and no evidence of carbonation. The aroma is insanely fruity, pineapple aromas are what I noticed. There are also some nice honey notes. The flavors are similar as well, very strong pineapple, honey and woodiness. Medium-bodied with a dry finish. The flavors were quite nice, but the beer was too sweet in my opinion.
752. Bannatyne's Scotch Ale
I had this with dinner at the CBC sometime in late December.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 9.20%
Serving: Tap
Style: Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.5): Pours a dark amber-brown with a dense, creamy beige head that leaves patchy lace.
Smell (4.5): Malty, caramel, dark fruit, raisins, maybe a hint of molasses, a hint of roastiness, and a hint of buttery diacetyl.
Taste (4.0): Dark fruit, caramel, molasses. The finish is a lingering fruity sweetness that's cut by an herbal, roasted bitterness, and an alcoholic spice.
Mouthfeel (4.5): Full bodied, thick, moderate carbonation.
Drinkability (4.0): Very malty and high in alcohol, but still drinkable.
Overall (4.25): An excellent beer. Deliciously malty.
I had this with dinner at the CBC sometime in late December.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 9.20%
Serving: Tap
Style: Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.5): Pours a dark amber-brown with a dense, creamy beige head that leaves patchy lace.
Smell (4.5): Malty, caramel, dark fruit, raisins, maybe a hint of molasses, a hint of roastiness, and a hint of buttery diacetyl.
Taste (4.0): Dark fruit, caramel, molasses. The finish is a lingering fruity sweetness that's cut by an herbal, roasted bitterness, and an alcoholic spice.
Mouthfeel (4.5): Full bodied, thick, moderate carbonation.
Drinkability (4.0): Very malty and high in alcohol, but still drinkable.
Overall (4.25): An excellent beer. Deliciously malty.
297. Late Harvest IPA
I had this on tap at the CBC on the 10th of December.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.80%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.5): Pours a lightly hazed golden. Topped by a frothy, white head that thins to a patchy film leaving sheets of lace.
Smell (4.0): Resiny, citric hops, and a biscuity malt aroma.
Taste (4.0): Toasty and sweet malts that move into a resiny bitterness that lingers into the finish with a bright citric character.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Medium-bodied, high carbonation, mellow, with an oiliness in the finish,
Drinkability (4.0): Tasty, has a nice assertive bitterness. This went well with the spiciness of the chili we had.
Overall (4.1)
I had this on tap at the CBC on the 10th of December.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.80%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.5): Pours a lightly hazed golden. Topped by a frothy, white head that thins to a patchy film leaving sheets of lace.
Smell (4.0): Resiny, citric hops, and a biscuity malt aroma.
Taste (4.0): Toasty and sweet malts that move into a resiny bitterness that lingers into the finish with a bright citric character.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Medium-bodied, high carbonation, mellow, with an oiliness in the finish,
Drinkability (4.0): Tasty, has a nice assertive bitterness. This went well with the spiciness of the chili we had.
Overall (4.1)
Labels: American IPA, Cambridge Brewing Company
742. Aestas Ale
I had this on tap at the CBC on the 13th of November.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 4.20%
Serving: Tap
Style: English Pale Mild Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a hazy straw color with a light, fluffy, white head that fades to a film leaving sheets of lace.
Smell (3.5): Primarily citric and resiny hops, with a touch of graininess.
Taste (4.0): Toasty malts and a bit of citrus in the center. The finish is resiny hops with a hint of spiciness.
Mouthfeel (4.5): Medium-bodied, moderate carbonation, oily with a coarse finish.
Drinkability (5.0): Very easy to drink. It has a nice bitterness, but doesn't overdo it.
Overall (4.05): A very tasty mild.
I had this on tap at the CBC on the 13th of November.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 4.20%
Serving: Tap
Style: English Pale Mild Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a hazy straw color with a light, fluffy, white head that fades to a film leaving sheets of lace.
Smell (3.5): Primarily citric and resiny hops, with a touch of graininess.
Taste (4.0): Toasty malts and a bit of citrus in the center. The finish is resiny hops with a hint of spiciness.
Mouthfeel (4.5): Medium-bodied, moderate carbonation, oily with a coarse finish.
Drinkability (5.0): Very easy to drink. It has a nice bitterness, but doesn't overdo it.
Overall (4.05): A very tasty mild.
714. Kriek du Cambridge
Jadyn and I went to the CBC to get lunch and a pair of tickets to the Belgian Beer Fest a couple Fridays ago. Unfortunately they were out of tickets, which we later procured at Cambridge Common, but they did have a Lambic-style beer on tap. Since I love sour beer I had to order it.
From the website:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 9.30&%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Wild Ale
Appearance (4.0): Pours a clear, reddish-orange. Not much in the way of a head, some beige wisps that fade to a ring, about what you expect from a lambic.
Smell (4.5): Sour cherries, medicinal phenols, and a nice, woody earthiness on swirling.
Taste (4.0): Tart cherries upfront, followed by a sour, acidic center. The acidity lasts through to the finish where it mingles with woody and earthy flavors.
Mouthfeel (4.5): Light-bodied, low carbonation, with a very dry finish.
Drinkability (4.0): The sourness is pucker inducing, but it's damn tasty with well hidden alcohol.
Overall (4.15): Very good stuff, great lambic character.
Jadyn and I went to the CBC to get lunch and a pair of tickets to the Belgian Beer Fest a couple Fridays ago. Unfortunately they were out of tickets, which we later procured at Cambridge Common, but they did have a Lambic-style beer on tap. Since I love sour beer I had to order it.
From the website:
Kriek du Cambridge began its life over eighteen months ago, when it was relegated to the darkest depths of the CBC Barrel Cellar, aging in two French oak barrels formerly housing Napa chardonnay. But it wasn’t alone! Each barrel was also filled with fifteen gallons of whole sour cherries, and then inoculated with a zooful of microflora from various sources including bottles of Cantillon lambic, and La Folie from our friends at the New Belgium Brewing Company (yes, we drank most of the beer first). The wild fermentation which ensued left a very acidic beer with tart cherry flavor and a dry finish, very much akin to a traditional lambic beer.Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 9.30&%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Wild Ale
Appearance (4.0): Pours a clear, reddish-orange. Not much in the way of a head, some beige wisps that fade to a ring, about what you expect from a lambic.
Smell (4.5): Sour cherries, medicinal phenols, and a nice, woody earthiness on swirling.
Taste (4.0): Tart cherries upfront, followed by a sour, acidic center. The acidity lasts through to the finish where it mingles with woody and earthy flavors.
Mouthfeel (4.5): Light-bodied, low carbonation, with a very dry finish.
Drinkability (4.0): The sourness is pucker inducing, but it's damn tasty with well hidden alcohol.
Overall (4.15): Very good stuff, great lambic character.
701. Golden Ring Abbey Ale
I had this with lunch at the Cambridge Brewing Company on Friday. These are the notes that I jotted down when I got back to lab.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.40%
Serving: Tap
Style: Belgian Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a lightly hazed golden with a hint of amber. It's topped by a half-inch white head that fades to a ring. The nose is Belgian yeasty fruitiness, caramel, yeast, grain and a hint of hops. The taste is sweet and fruity upfront followed by a long, lingering, peppery spice. There's a light hop bitterness in the finish to tie things together. Medium-bodied, with moderate carbonation. Very tasty.
I had this with lunch at the Cambridge Brewing Company on Friday. These are the notes that I jotted down when I got back to lab.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.40%
Serving: Tap
Style: Belgian Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a lightly hazed golden with a hint of amber. It's topped by a half-inch white head that fades to a ring. The nose is Belgian yeasty fruitiness, caramel, yeast, grain and a hint of hops. The taste is sweet and fruity upfront followed by a long, lingering, peppery spice. There's a light hop bitterness in the finish to tie things together. Medium-bodied, with moderate carbonation. Very tasty.
284. Cambridge Brewing Company's Hefeweizen
Published by Unknown on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 at 6:47 PM.
284. Cambridge Brewing Company's Hefeweizen
Jadyn and I went to CBC for drinks on Saturday afternoon (I think). I had the CBC Hefeweizen, which I had had before, but didn't remember trying.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: Hefe Weizen, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a brilliant, straw-golden color with a thin white head that eventually fades completely.
Smell (3.5): Banana fruitiness, with some grain and yeast on the swirl.
Taste (4.0): Sweet banana and bubblegum upfront. Moves into a citric flavor in the center, and ends with husky grain and yeast flavors.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Medium-bodied, moderate carbonation, smooth.
Drinkability (4.5): Definitely a nice summer brew. It's thirst-quenching, and pretty easy to have a few of.
Overall (3.95)
Jadyn and I went to CBC for drinks on Saturday afternoon (I think). I had the CBC Hefeweizen, which I had had before, but didn't remember trying.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: Hefe Weizen, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a brilliant, straw-golden color with a thin white head that eventually fades completely.
Smell (3.5): Banana fruitiness, with some grain and yeast on the swirl.
Taste (4.0): Sweet banana and bubblegum upfront. Moves into a citric flavor in the center, and ends with husky grain and yeast flavors.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Medium-bodied, moderate carbonation, smooth.
Drinkability (4.5): Definitely a nice summer brew. It's thirst-quenching, and pretty easy to have a few of.
Overall (3.95)
Labels: Cambridge Brewing Company, Hefe Weizen
