Cambridge Benevolence

Brewed by Cambridge Brewing Company
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Cambridge, Massachusetts USA

Note: CBC 17th anniversary aged in a wood barrell brewed in 2001. Oh my is all I can say...poured a dark black hard to tell in this light whether or not it is pitch black but it is very close leaving a tan head in its wake. The aroma is dark fruits, raisins, figs, nuts, brown sugar, chocolate are all present in the nose. The taste is syrup thick, nutty, figs, lots of dark fruit with a syrup consistency and a chocolate fudge background. This is the most complex nose, and taste I’ve ever come across. This brew had to be an experiment, cause who would think of putting all these different flavors together. But they compliment each other so well. And so drinkable at 10% The nose is as complex as a Belgian ale, with the chocolate hop presence of a stout, and finishing with a tartness of a well crafted sour ale. Could this be, all these flavors combined by a mad scientist, it is true. The only disappointing thing about this beer is that I will never be able to sample this again.

Vintage2001,On tap at the pub... Aroma:Chocolat,toffe,strong,alcohol.... A brown,small head..... Flavor:Strong chocolate,molasso,malt caramel....

En fût au Cambridge Brewing Co., Cambridge, MA. Robe noire sans mousse. Arômes de chocolat noir, de porto, de caramel et de fruits rouges. Saveurs de madère, de chocolat noir, de cerises noires, de porto et de malt caramélisé.

Draught snifter at CBC 5/5/06. Pours a dark brown/black color with no head. Texture is very smooth with a bit of bitterness in the finish. Aroma is dates and raisins, some light chocolate notes. The taste is very datey and raisins again, some of the chocolate is there too. Some light wood notes and hints of sweetness.

GABF 2005. Body is medium brown. Aroma is moderately malty (roasted grain, caramel), with notes of cherry, sherry, and wood. Flavor is moderately sweet, lightly acidic. Finish is lightly sweet, moderately acidic, lightly bitter. Medium body, watery/syrupy texture, soft carbonation, moderately alcoholic. Had several samples of this due to the buzz surrounding it on the floor, but could not form an affection for it. Aged too long or improperly (fairly strong oxidation that took away the charms it may have had). Looks great on paper, but rather disappointing to sample.

Barrel Draught from the jug at the GABF, Colorado Convention Center 29/09/2005 Dark coloured and very strong in alcohol. Some fruit and chocolate flavours. Slightly bitter whisky finish.

Woody, minty, herbal, maple, tart aroma with some Belgian yeast character, dates and raisins apparent. Opaque muddy brown body with very low, off white head that recedes to ring. Chocolate, raisins, dates, fig-like fruit flavours with some funky vinous character and some alcohol. Tart in the woody, bitter finish. Medium body is quite dry with lively, lightly prickly carbonation. Sampled at GABF 2005. This gets my vote for top overall beer at the festival for this year!

GABF- Pours deep brown w/ no head. Nutty brown sugar aromas with some lactic sourness and a lot of ask and maple syrup. Med. Body w/ almost no CO2. Light sourness and very port like. Sweet finish. Just awesome.