Sgt. Pepper - Cambridge Brewing Company

LiquorsInc

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +7%

01-02-2013 18:02:05 | More by LiquorsInc

dcguitar

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev +0.3%

05-22-2013 00:29:23 | More by dcguitar

braican

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +7%

05-21-2013 19:44:49 | More by braican

hopley

Massachusetts

1/5  rDev -73.3%

05-18-2013 04:03:19 | More by hopley

SunDevilBeer

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev +0.3%

05-15-2013 21:24:56 | More by SunDevilBeer

Brew33

Ohio

3.04/5  rDev -18.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Shared this over brunch on Mother's Day.

Pours a very nice, bright gold with a small crop of bubbles. The smell is all belgian yeast with the slightest bit of spiciness which I can't attribute to the yeast or peppercorns for sure. Smells sweeter than anticipated.

Upon first taste it tastes like a very standard or maybe even below average American interpretation of a Saison. Slight;y sweet with some bubblegum flavors. Dry finish. Then, right after you swallow, boom. A really slow pepper burn. Not an assault on your palate but a light, lingering, fresh peppercorn flavor. I have no clue which types of peppercorns were used but I can damn well guarantee that a good portion of those were Pink (or Szechuan) peppercorns. The tingling, numbing effect of pink peppercorns stick with you for some time.

The mouthfeel was fine. I usually like a crisp mouthfeel in Saisons and this was a touch creamy for my liking.

Overall, a neat experiment. Not something I would revisit but my Dad and my brother seemed to like it. I'd like to try another beer like this with better execution of the base beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2013 18:44:44 | More by Brew33

3SH33TS

California

3.5/5  rDev -6.4%

05-13-2013 04:27:40 | More by 3SH33TS

oline73

Maryland

3.5/5  rDev -6.4%

05-12-2013 01:52:50 | More by oline73

kojevergas

California

3.79/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Acquired at a local SoCal beer store. This is only the second beer I've had from Cambridge Brewing. Expectations are high; I' love a good farmhouse ale and I'm really in the mood for one. Curiously, it has a World Beer Cup award for the Herb and Spice Beer category. 6% ABV confirmed. 1 pint 6 fl oz brown glass bottle with appealing label and unbranded standard pressure cap served into a Mitchells of Lancaster flared stem-tulip in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. I don't see any obvious best before or bottled on dates.

Served cold and allowed to warm over the course of consumption. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

A: Pours a one finger white colour head - disappointingly thin - of no cream whatsoever and mere average retention. The ABV isn't even that high; I'm pretty disappointed with the head. Lacing is light and even. Body colour is a fairly vibrant clear bronze. Translucent. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. Looking substandard for a farmhouse ale. It's not much to look at. Appears filtered.

Sm: Definite peppercorn presence. Pale malts. Fragrant floral hops. I do pick up on the rye malt, but I wouldn't have noticed it if I hadn't been searching for it after reading the label. Spicy robust yeasty character with notes of biscuit and clove. It's not that spicy in comparison to other farmhouse ales, but it's got a definite spice presence. The pepper is quite evocative; that's remarkable. I'm looking forward to trying it, but I do want more depth and complexity from the aroma. Nicely subtle and above average in strength. No alcohol is noticeable.

T: Remarkable peppery character throughout - both black and white pepper is noticeable. The rye really complements the spicy character on the climax going into the third act; that's a lovely pairing of flavours. The floral hop character lends a pleasant background flavour letting the spices and yeasty complexity take centre stage - exactly as it should. Malty foundation is well-executed rye alongside light biscuity grains and I suspect some pale malts. Spice, light biscuit, and clove from the yeast. Peppery spice is definitely dominant here; I love that. Make no mistake - it's spicy in the sense that lots of spice notes come through, but there's also a bit of spicy heat here. Fortunately, no alcohol heat is noticeable. Impeccable balance, even if it is a bit simple for the style. These cats really knew what they were doing when they brewed this gem. If you're after a peppery-as-hell farmhouse ale, this is the beer for you. Subtly executed. I'm really enjoying it.

Mf: Smooth and wet. Understated. Near ideal carbonation; it's just a touch too high - but that'll help it cellar if you're so inclined. Good thickness and body. Complements the flavour profile well - mostly by keeping its head down, supporting the flavours, and not making itself noticeable. It even approaches refreshing - a nice counterpoint to the spicy pepper of the flavours. This texture was developed with intentionality, and the marriage to the flavour profile is rewarding. Well-executed. Not creamy or buttery or milky. Excellent presence on the palate. Just soft enough.

Dr: A surprisingly good farmhouse ale from Cambridge Brewing. I'd definitely pick this one up again; I'm glad I stumbled across it. I'm now very interested in trying their other beers. Surpassed my meagre expectations. Very drinkable, but the spice may creep up on you. The low ABV for the style makes this a go-to when you're trying to stay coherent. They aimed to brew an extremely peppery farmhouse ale, and damnit, they succeeded. The execution is great for the concept. Well done, Cambridge. I'd recommend this to friends.

Low B+

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 21:13:52 | More by kojevergas

jayhunter357

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -6.4%

05-11-2013 02:05:04 | More by jayhunter357

In_Control_Mike

Massachusetts

2/5  rDev -46.5%

05-11-2013 02:01:27 | More by In_Control_Mike

tbryan5

Louisiana

4/5  rDev +7%

05-10-2013 22:17:47 | More by tbryan5

nh2032

New York

4/5  rDev +7%

05-05-2013 18:25:35 | More by nh2032

Janeinma

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -6.4%

05-05-2013 15:42:12 | More by Janeinma

Immortale25

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured into a snifter. Bottleneck says Bottled On 1/31/13.

A- Pours a medium amber color with a 1/2 inch white head that doesn't retain very long before becoming a thick ring around the edge of the glass and random light wisps of surface foam. Lacing is non-resilient.

S- Whoa, you can really smell those peppercorns. Very peppery with some other spices like nutmeg and cinnamon. Very lovely if you're a fan of these.

T- The spices hold up just as well in the flavor as I was hoping. Very unique blend of pepper, clove and nutmeg that actually creates an almost soil-like taste. A considerable capsaicin burn comes from the peppercorns. I don't get much saison characteristic out of the beer. Once again, very earthy.

M- Very sharp and tingly from the spices with medium-low carbonation and a medium body.

O- More like just a straight up herbed/spiced beer than a saison since the yeast and carbonation aren't where it should be for that style. Still, this is very tasty for people who are fans of pepper and heat. It's almost a bit too much for me since I'm a bit sensitive to capsaicin but I respect it very much for what it is.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 21:55:14 | More by Immortale25

Nachos4two

Illinois

4/5  rDev +7%

04-28-2013 20:45:50 | More by Nachos4two

DefenCorps

Oregon

3.94/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Bottled 13th Jan 2013, I paid $9 or so for this. I initially balked, but my time at CBC several years back was great, and so, I had to get this.

A clear honey gold with a dense, white head with decent retention and lacing, this looks solid. The nose shows why this is named so. Peppercorns - black, green and Sichuan (especially the Sichuan) lend a bright spicy and piquant note to the nose. Now, the CBC website tells me they only used white, black, green and pink peppercorns, but the combination of the green and pink pepper with the rye really brings to mind the aromatics in mapo doufu. Honey and rye are present, along with a moderate yeast character that's not particularly saison-like, but will do. It's closer to a fruity/ estery yeast profile rather than a more traditional spicy/rustic yeast character. Quite excellent.

The palate opens with a blend of mild sweetness (honey, cantaloupe), a moderate pepper flavor and a mild heat. The peppercorn flavor is quite excellently expressed here, and pairs well with the honey sweetness that's initially present. The rye is noticeable on the mid-palate. As the beer lingers on the palate, the heat grows and lingers on into the finish, with a fruity pink peppercorn heat. The flavors in this beer are great, but the only disappointment is the palate - it's just too damn watery. Drying, spritzy and peppery on the finish, this has quite a bit of fruity and estery yeast flavors here. Very nice stuff here.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 04:13:01 | More by DefenCorps

2dogbrew

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -6.4%

04-27-2013 00:51:29 | More by 2dogbrew

scmoore81

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +7%

04-19-2013 02:16:30 | More by scmoore81

Either_Aether

Pennsylvania

3.56/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - Golden orange and a bit cloudy

Smell - Instantly notice a strong peppery haze

Taste - The saison characteristics find themselves on the backburner, while the peppercorn flavors emerge to the forefront. I would have liked these two to have been switched. One can notice a subtle hint of lemon on the tip of the tongue.

Moutfeel - Not too full, not too thin. The beer lost it's fullness with time, however.

Overall - The beer deserves some kudos for thinking outside the box, but I feel the saison style was not represented to the extent I would have liked.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2013 02:38:43 | More by Either_Aether

Rekrule

Massachusetts

2.75/5  rDev -26.5%

04-13-2013 02:27:42 | More by Rekrule

MRsojourner

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev +0.3%

04-10-2013 00:10:58 | More by MRsojourner

Chico1985

Massachusetts

3.48/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25

I've had this a few times now, hard to forget this one. Thanks to Kevin for splitting this one.

Poured to my Unibroue tulip hazy orange with some flecks. A small white head forms to a thick ring with a few spots as the cap, bits of lace left.

Good amount of peppery spice in the scent, some lemony and farmy yeast and bread. A bit on the simple side.

Huge pepper spice in the taste, like chewing on peppercorns, lingering long after swallow. Some yeast/bread, light fruit (apple, orange), herbal-ness, but the saison part is nearly smothered with spice.

Good body, with a nice foaminess to it. Big spice builds up with every sip.

I do enjoy it, but the pepper is way too strong in my opinion - I'm good with this after a few ounces. I appreciate the spice but wish it was integrated better.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 00:17:07 | More by Chico1985

rob133

California

3.75/5  rDev +0.3%

04-04-2013 22:35:54 | More by rob133

huysmans

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +20.3%

03-29-2013 01:41:10 | More by huysmans