RateBeer
   Home Sign Up or Login Advanced Search
   People Ratings Events Places Forums Shop Magazine
      Top By Category  RateBeer Best  Latest Ratings  Top 50    

Home > Brewers > Massachusetts > Cambridge Brewing Company >

Cambridge Arquebus


 Percentile 
88
overall
A Barley Wine brewed by
Cambridge Brewing Company

Cambridge, Massachusetts USA

bottled
available

on tap
available

Local Distribution
Find this beer

Add Distribution Data
Send Corrections

 Ratings  Average  Score  Seasonal  ABV  Style Pctl  Serve in  Advanced 
303.6/5.03.56/5.0Special10.75%49.8Snifter P  Stats

Commercial Description:
Summer Barleywine
Named for the 15th Century firearm which was successor to the Blunderbuss, this barrel-aged barleywine aspires to change the way you think of strong beer. Intended for sipping on these sultry summer evenings on our patio (or inside, with the AC), it is at once light and drinkable yet boasts significant body, and is almost syrupy smooth in texture without being cloying. Arquebus presents beautiful, complex notes of concentrated peach and apricot fruit, wildflower honey, toast and coconut oakiness, and a soft, tannin-hinted, white wine-like finish. Aged in French oak chardonnay barrels acquired from the Silverado winery in Napa, the residual flavors contributed by the wood offer a mellowness of character not provided by stainless steel fermentation.This honey-hued, ambrosial beer, beheld in a simple stemmed glass, pours with just a mild effervescence which accentuates its myriad nuances of flavors and aromas. Several more barrels of this elixir await release in the coming years. So for now, enjoy!
OG: 1.099 FG: 1.018 ABV:10.75%

Most RecentTop RatersHighest Ratings Who's Rated This?
 Beerlando (1341), Orlando, Florida, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/516/20
Sep 23, 2008  
Draft at the brewpub. A cloudy, dark amber body is crowned with a small, compact layer of khaki colored foam. Wavy ribbons of dense, sticky lace coat the glass. Aromas are as complex and unique as any you’ll encounter. A caramel malt base is accompanied by a strong, tannic grape influence, with vanilla and pervasive, tart, funky oak element. Apricots and honeydew melon make surprise appearances, while sugary sweet, concentrated Chardonnay grapes are stronger than one could possibly expect. Flavors start out with a sweet caramel and citrus blossom honey base, with tart, fruity notes of pineapple, green apple, peaches, apricots, and even hints of tropical mango. A drizzle of melted toffee imparts further richness, while lightly bitter, floral hops lend just a touch of bittering balance. The toasty, funky oak barrel is an obvious influence throughout. Medium-full bodied, smooth, and sweet, but not cloying, the body is as satisfying as the rest of the brew. Part barleywine, part fruity Chardonnay, part icewine, and part funky wild ale, this one is impossible to categorize. A truly unique and enjoyable experience.


 Ungstrup (11353), Frederiksberg, Denmark
3.4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/103/57/104/514/20
Aug 10, 2008  
GABF 2007. A hazy golden beer with a thin beige head. The aroma is sweet with notes of over ripe fruits - some peaches among others. The flavor is very sweet with notes of over ripe fruits - again peaches being strongest, also with notes of wood. The finish is dry woody and peachy.


 egajdzis (3013), Terrapin, Pennsylvania, USA
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/59/103/517/20
Aug 4, 2008  
[Draft @ the brewpub] Poured a lightly hazy, golden amber color with a small, off white head that left light lacing on the glass. Aroma of vanilla, green grapes, caramel malts, apple, honey, and light alcohol. Taste of caramel, vanilla, light oak, tart chardonnay notes, and a lightly alcoholic finish.


 bu11zeye (3777), Frisco, Texas, USA
3.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/57/104/514/20
Jun 30, 2008  
(Draught, 2008 vintage) Pours a clear amber body with a small white head. Aroma of floral, tangerine, peach, clove, white grapes, honey, and subtle wood notes. Flavor of strawberry, toffee, cherry, and honey.


 mmather (113), Colorado, USA
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/57/104/516/20
May 2, 2008  
at the 2007 Boulder CO Strong Ale Fest. Lots of spicy, malty aromas. Alcohol blends well with the base beer. Barrel aging does not overpower beer. A great, very well balanced beer.




WOULD YOU LIKE TO READ MORE RATINGS?
Then join us! RateBeer is made by beer enthusiasts for the craft beer community. Your basic membership is free and allows you to read all beer ratings.

Desired User Name
*
Valid Email (Needed to verify your account)
*
Relax. RateBeer is 100%, guaranteed spam-free. That's our promise to you.

I agree to the terms of the RateBeer User Agreement

RATE THIS BEER

Aroma

rating assistance

Appearance

rating assistance

Flavor

rating assistance

Palate

rating assistance

Overall impression

rating assistance

TOTAL SCORE

Comments

More Barley Wines

Hair of the Dog Dave (4.47)

Lost Abbey The Angels Share (4.27)

Lost Abbey The Angels Share (Bourbon Barrel) (4.25)

North Coast Old Stock Cellar Reserve Brandy Barrel (4.18)

AleSmith Barrel Aged Old Numbskull (4.16)

Stone Bourbon Barrel Old Guardian Barley Wine (4.14)

Three Floyds Behemoth Barleywine (4.11)

Kuhnhenn Bourbon Barrel Barley Wine (4.09)

Barley Johns Barrel-Aged Rosies Ale (Batch 2) (4.07)

21st Amendment Bourbon Barrel Lower da Boom Barleywine (4.06)

More Massachusetts Brewers

Berkshire Brewing Co.
  South Deerfield
Nashoba Valley Winery
  Bolton
Furnace Brook Winery
  Richmond
Barrington / Berkshire Mountain Brewery
  Great Barrington
Peoples Pint
  Greenfield
Nomad Brewing Company
  North Adams
American Hard Cider Co.
  South Natick
Opa-Opa Steakhouse and Brewery
  Southampton
Mercury Brewing and Distribution
  Ipswich
Offshore Ale Company
  Oak Bluffs
Owen OLearys
  Natick
Cape Ann Brewing Company
  Gloucester
Gardner Ale House
  Gardner
Wachusett Brewing
  Westminster
Boston Beer Company
  Boston

About RateBeer | Add A Beer | Add A Brewer | Edit Personal Info | 100 Beer Club | FAQ | Log out | Feedback? | Copyright 2000-2008, RateBeer LLC