Cambridge Brewing Company

kinopio

Massachusetts

4.78/5  rDev +18.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$

The #1 beer destination in the Boston area. A must visit place, simply put.

I lived close to CBC in my early 20's and I have it to thank for introducing me to a world of beer I didn't know existed. They made me a fan of Sours and Barleywines years ago and since then I've had dozens of examples of those styles but still rank theirs way up there. They also knock it out of the park with saisons and sessionable stouts. They are one of the most experimental brewers in the US so there is always something interesting on tap.

I'd say my favorite beers of theirs would be Tripel Threat, Benevolence, Cerisse Cassee and Blunderbuss Barleywine.

They were one of the first places around here to focus on local ingredients. You'll often find local fish, cheese etc on their menu. These are typically on their specials board so I would suggest ordering from there. I dig their pizza and plentiful vegetarian options as well.

CBC has one of the best patios in the city. The main bar area is great, with plenty of sunlight and room to mingle near the bar.

This place is tops. Any beer lovers trip to Boston needs to make an evening at Cambridge Brewing Company a priority.

03-28-2012 17:14:52 | More by kinopio

LeeMarvin

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev -2.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 2.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3 | $$

I’ve been going to CBC since 1993, and throughout the years, the only consistency to this place has been the beer. You can’t go wrong with the beer. It’s worth a trip to this place for the beer. They have some of the best barleywines and stouts you’ll find at a brewpub and their sessionables are solid. Their events are good times, especially the Barleywine Fest. I consider myself fortunate to have this place so close to my home because of their amazing beers, and I’ll always keep coming back for their beers.

But if you’re looking for someplace to have dinner, there are no guarantees. I’ve had some of the most amazing dinners and waitstaff at CBC—people who remember us and take the time to make us feel welcome and well attended, serving up food as good as you could hope for. But I’ve also been ignored for a half hour with an empty beer glass on a slow night, waiting for food that ends up sucking without so much as an “I’m sorry.” On one occasion, the bartender gave a big party of us the wrong bill, and after we paid it, tried to infer that we were trying to skip out without paying the correct bill. The next time we went back (a few months later), a different waiter remembered me and gave us stellar service. You never know what you’re going to get, and it’s become frustrating over the years because I love supporting the kind of brewing innovation and beer quality that CBC achieves.

03-15-2012 17:08:59 | More by LeeMarvin

beerbiatchMD

Maine

4.15/5  rDev +2.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

Visit was 12/22/11, this report is from notes.

Cambridge Brewing Co. is a nice brewpub in Cambridge Mass. My group arrived for dinner late evening so there was no wait to be seated, but during prime times they appear to be busy, so go early and/or be prepared to have a bit of a wait.

Atmosphere is nice, they are a good-sized restaurant, with amble bar space as well. Fairly quite--no loud obnoxious music or anything like that.

Quality of their beer is very good. I had a Charles River Porter on cask, and a Big Man IPA. Both were very good and I would have liked to try more of their beers. They also have a selection of 22 oz bottles for sale. I purchased their Tripel Threat (Belgian style Tripel) and their Audacity of Hops IPA, both of which were quite good.

Food is quite good, and there are offerings from burgers to steaks and racks of lamb. There are also good vegetarian options. Reasonably priced but not cheap.

Overall this is a very nice restaurant/pub for having a pint of fine beer, a great little dinner with friends, or a casual date. I will certainly go back and I would recommend it to anyone travelling to the area.

02-16-2012 00:54:11 | More by beerbiatchMD

kingcrowing

Vermont

3.45/5  rDev -14.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3 | $$

Came in here on my way to Lord Hobo on both the Saturday and Sunday of EBF Weekend, getting brunch on Sunday.

I got the pulled pork sandwich which was pretty tasty, nothing too special but it got the job done, added on the honey hush puppies which were really tasty and we got a lot for the price.

Beer wise, I had an all brett cream ale which was a good breakfast brew, tried an experimental hop IPA that was quite good as well.

I think their selection of hose beer was very good, 4-5 over 8% abv beers, some sour beers, and a couple standard Pale Ales/Porters/etc.

02-06-2012 13:44:16 | More by kingcrowing

Flounder57

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +5.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

We hit this place last Sunday for the NEw Year's brunch. We caught a table that looked into the brewery. About 15 seats at the bar and about 20 tables spread around the restaurant.

The quality of the beer and food was great. Food is made from scratch and the beer is made right in front of us. The beer is made alomost every day and it's alaways fresh. I hade the '10 barleywine and Audacity of Hops on draft and they were very delicious. Monte Cristo was a good choice for brunch also

The service was over the top. We had two or three helping us out at all times. It was great to be waited on for a change. We would visit this again and again. Such a nice little gem in Kendall Square.

The selection was limited to what they made,which was still good, but limited and some beers change daily too.

01-06-2012 23:44:10 | More by Flounder57

jslot38

Massachusetts

4.15/5  rDev +2.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$$

Second time I've had dinner at CBC. I've always been impressed with their beers. This night was no different. Went with the girlfriend and another friend on a Friday evening.

We started off with a round of beers and the bacon hush puppies. The hush puppies were outstanding. For our main courses we had a burger, the lobster pizza (special for that night) and the pumpkin raviolis. All three were great, with a special shout out to the raviolis which were great.

CBC carries their basic house beers, plus a vast array of seasonals. Being the fall / winter they had a couple pumpkin style beers, and other winter seasonals. I had the big man IPA, which was good, a saison with brett that was outstanding, and YouEnjoyMyStout. The latter was a little sweet, and had a sour twang at the end. I've had it before and didn't pick up on this. Still, it was good. My girlfriend had the Cerise Casse which is a must if you are at CBC. Can't say enough about this sour.

The service was very attentive, and stopped by regularly even as the dinning room and bar filled up. There was also a private event going on in the back room. Food came out quickly, and beers were served in appropriate glassware.

They also do have growlers for sale, and bombers of their beers that they've started bottling.

CBC's beers are fantastic, the food and ambiance was also great.

12-12-2011 19:45:46 | More by jslot38

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

4.1/5  rDev +1.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5 | $$$

I've been to the CBC a few times but never sat down to write a review until now. Being from out of town I just don't know my way around well enough, and I seem to circle around a bit befuddled until I spot the building. Parking on the street always seems non existent, luckily there is a parking garage near the cinema and they will validate as well. Some seating outside in the nicer weather, decent sized open square of a main dining room with mad acoustics makes the space seem loud and alive when occupied. This last time found about 10 brews on tap with a dry hopped porter on cask, 2 ipa's, golden, cream ale, amber, RIS, sour, pumpkin, belgian pale, tripel. The brews I had were great, as were my brothers. A limited amount of meat and potatoes pub grub with more of a focus on local chef inspired dishes. Service has always been prompt and attentive. Prices are in line with the surrounding area which means they are higher that you're used to if your from elsewhere. I really enjoy the CBC, I'll be back soon.

12-10-2011 04:38:43 | More by johnnnniee

elNopalero

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +11.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

This is a nice sized place that feels small enough to be cozy and familiar, yet large enough to entertain what must be a raucous crowd on the weekends. Especially with its proximity to MIT. Even midweek, when I visited, it filled up with what must have been an afterwork crowd. Seating at the bar or tables. Pizza was good, far better than it needs to be for a brewpub—that is to say, someone here is paying attention to the cooking! Our waitstaff was beyond friendly and I have no complaints. They sell growlers-to-go by the door and don’t believe I wasn’t eying one of their superb Great Pumpkin Ale to take with me. This hit the spot on a cold, rainy November evening.

12-01-2011 20:59:43 | More by elNopalero

seanwhite

Massachusetts

4.22/5  rDev +4.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

The weather was rocking last weekend for Boston, so we biked from Brookline, along the Charles River and ended up at CBC just around lunch time for some brews and good.

The brewery is located in Kendall Square, and has a great outdoor patio. We would have sat there, but I wanted to see a bit of the brewery. The food was great, very local focused, and fresh ingredients.

They had about 10 of their beers on tap, and being the hop head I am, I tried the IPA and was not disappointed. We moved on to the porter, and even ended with a Barley Wine. They seemed to do every style really well. This is a must visit if you are in Cambridge.

11-21-2011 17:20:00 | More by seanwhite

kdp2011

Massachusetts

4.46/5  rDev +10.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

I have been here a couple times so far the most recent being a couple of weeks ago. Had the Tall Tale Pale Ale and another seasonal one that they had on tap. Both were great!! As a hop enthusiast, the Tall Tale exploded with flavor with a bite on the toungue. Both were priced I believe around 5 dollars a pint which is very decent. Also the next time I swing by this joint, they have a "Tower" glass which holds around 6 pints, which will be right in front of me!! Overall experience is very nice. The staff is always willing to help you decide as well with what brew is awaiting your glass.

10-12-2011 19:27:44 | More by kdp2011