Blunderbuss Barleywine 2011, Aged In Port And Sherry Barrels
Cambridge Brewing Company

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From:
Cambridge Brewing Company
 
Massachusetts, United States
Style:
American Barleywine
ABV:
13%
Score:
95
Avg:
4.45 | pDev: 5.62%
Reviews:
9
Ratings:
23
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Feb 02, 2015
Added:
Jan 28, 2012
Wants:
  9
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by sraimondi:
Photo of sraimondi
Reviewed by sraimondi from Connecticut

4.4/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had this one at CBC last night. Wow!! This one is maybe one of the best BWs I have ever had. The complexity increased with warming. The Port notes make this beer special, IMHO. The 13% was present but the beer was not "hot". Hats off to CBC.

Steve
Mar 29, 2012
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.18 by dabarton from Virginia

Feb 02, 2015
 
Rated: 4.25 by Kmlund from Massachusetts

Feb 04, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by Davepoolesque from Massachusetts

Jan 31, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by shigg85 from Japan

Jan 31, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by rowingbrewer from Massachusetts

Oct 30, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by ctrevino from Indiana

Feb 02, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by Todd from Finland

Feb 01, 2013
 
Rated: 4.75 by aorloski from Massachusetts

Jan 18, 2013
Photo of BostonHops
Reviewed by BostonHops from Massachusetts

4.76/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
on-tap at Deep Ellum, Allston, MA, 4/2012
(review from notes)

sits a deep amber, almost chestnut in the glass; a foamy collar around the glass was all that remained of the head when the beer was delivered... robust nose offers caramel, brown sugar, and some dark fruit with the port/sherry character readily discernible. very nice.

aroma translates to an amazing flavor, just replete with bold notes of caramel and brown sugar, oak, dark fruit, molasses, and a little vanilla, all flanked by the port/sherry presence. some alcohol shows itself in the finish but for a 13% ABV barleywine it's really well hidden. delicious. medium-full mouthfeel with average carbonation.

overall just a stellar brew. my favorite offering from CBC to date, and that's saying something. if the opportunity presents itself this one is not to be missed.
Jul 04, 2012
 
Rated: 4.5 by jrae2424 from New Hampshire

Jun 07, 2012
Photo of TWStandley
Reviewed by TWStandley from Massachusetts

4.32/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had on tap at CBC while enjoying some pizza on the patio.

A dark brown color with a slight purplish tinge.

Smelled insanely strong - definite port character in the smell, as well as a bit of alcohol and some dark fruit scents.

Taste is amazing and complex. First you are hit with a sweet fruit taste backed by the definite presence of port/sherry. Followed by some tart cherry tastes in the finish. All tied together nicely with some bready characteristics and a hop finish. Wow.

Mouth-feel is a bit warm but this was perfect to enjoy outside when I, myself, was a bit cold. Definetely coats the mouth.

Awesome awesome awesome.
May 24, 2012
 
Rated: 4.25 by GuidedByBill from Massachusetts

May 14, 2012
 
Rated: 4.75 by leschkie from California

May 14, 2012
 
Rated: 4.75 by bpfrush from Wisconsin

May 03, 2012
Photo of axeman9182
Reviewed by axeman9182 from New Jersey

4.09/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On tap at Cambridge Brewing Company and served in a small snifter.

2011 Blunderbuss pours a deep mahogany, lightening to amber in spots along the outer edges of the beer. There's a little bit of clarity when the beer's backlit, and a wispy bit of khaki colored foam topping the beer. The nose is absolutely heavenly. It's redolent of both caramelized brown sugar and port soaked oak in equal measure, with neither becoming overtly dominant. Dried figs and dates are the first thing that jump out on my palate, with lighter notes of darker fruits also present, and a hint of caramel completing the picture. The flavor is good, but a little too heavy on what was picked up from the barrels, there's not a ton of the base beer shining through. I was expecting a bit more fullness in the body, it could stand to be a little bit more rich/lush. The creamy carbonation is on the low end of the spectrum, which perfectly suits the beer. Blunderbuss is a very good beer, and perhaps my expectations were a bit high given how much I love CBC's barrel aged Old Ale, but it just didn't wow me the way a lot of my favorites do.
Apr 13, 2012
Photo of Firkin-Bunghole
Reviewed by Firkin-Bunghole from New York

4.92/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
fortunate enough had on tap in Cambridge Brewing Company (CBC) on 2 occasions.
Appearance-By the time beer arrived to table no head remaining. Served in a snifter both times.
Smell-Really strong notes of sherry/port and also of pitted-fruit. Smells tremendous.
Taste-First time I had the drink served by itself. The second time I had the beer was with a cheese/bread dish complemented with honey and fresh apples. The pairing enhanced the barleywine and I'm impressed with the fresh/organic foods used by CBC.
Mouthfeel-Full-mouthfeel. Alcohol becomes more noticeable only with warming.
Overall-This English Barleywine is a top representation for the style. I can only hope that this gem is available again.
Apr 10, 2012
 
Rated: 4.5 by PEIhop from Massachusetts

Mar 18, 2012
Photo of gfreed
Reviewed by gfreed from Massachusetts

4.15/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On tap at Cambridge Common, where for once everything on the beer list wasn't hugely hoppy or flavored with pumpkin juice. This one was thick, malty and boozy and was a perfect dessert beer after a superb plate of grilled cheese w/tomato soup. If anything, the sherry could be pulled back a bit-- it was almost like drinking a glass of thin, cold sherry rather than beer that had been sitting in a sherry barrel for a while. But that's a quibble. Drink slowly and make sure someone else drives home afterward.
Mar 03, 2012
 
Rated: 4.5 by Jefe73 from Florida

Feb 08, 2012
Blunderbuss Barleywine 2011, Aged In Port And Sherry Barrels from Cambridge Brewing Company
Beer rating: 95 out of 100 with 23 ratings