2 O' Clock Tasting: 
Cambridge Brewing Company (Part 2)

Updated on April 05, 2016

Founded in 1989, Cambridge Brewing Company, is the oldest brewery-restaurant in Boston. Owner Phil “Brewdaddy” Bannatyne studied Brewing Science at UC Davis in his formative years, which led to an insatiable interest in beer making. Bannatyne makes it his mission and a part of CBC’s model to "merge creativity and sustainability," by making beer in an environmentally sustainable way and serving locally sourced dishes.

Long time serving its beer in draft only, CBC now offers bottled versions of their brews 22 years after opening -- making CBC lovers outside of the Boston area very happy. Today, we sample some of their year-round and seasonal blends: The Audacity of Hops, Sgt. Pepper, The Great Pumpkin Ale, and Tripel Threat.

1. The Audacity of Hops

   8% ABV

   A 10-hopped varietal, this Belgian-Style Double IPA is nested with spicy Belgian yeast that comes through on the palate. It pours a light burnt sienna with a nice foamy head. Aromas of delicious, tropical, passion fruitiness come through and bleed into the taste of this hop-head masterpiece.

2. Sgt. Pepper

   6% ABV

   Winner of the Gold Medal 2012 World Beer Cup in the Herb and Spice Beer Category, this limited release farmhouse ale is sure to please. The spice comes through from the use of four different peppercorns, rye malts and Belgian yeast, producing a perfumey-peppery nose and a hazy marigold pour. It's got an upfront pepper heat, with a black pepper finish that lingers long after the brew passes through the palate.

3. The Great Pumpkin Ale

   4.4 % ABV

   Made with fresh Massachusetts organic sugar pumpkins and malt, the Great Pumpkin Ale is a great seasonal varietal. Very finely carbonated, the ale pours a hazy, Garfield-gold hue. The pumpkin comes through in the caramelized, candied pumpkin nose and the pleasant full-bodied mouthfeel. Pumpkin-pie spice surfaces on the tongue right before a light, palate cleansing mint finish.

4. Triple Threat

   10% ABV

   Tripel Threat, the first Belgian-style beer ever commercially produced in the U.S., was first brewed by Darry Goss, the head brewer in 1990. The body is cloudy, with a soft head, and a hazy-marigold color reminiscent of the Sgt. Pepper brew. The nose doubles through to the flavor of this brew, with yeasty, sweet smelling apple aromas that lead to a luscious vanilla and clove taste you’ll savor.

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