Cambridge Brewing Company Sgt. Pepper

Cambridge Brewing Company has developed a reputation for brewing some great barrel-aged and wild fermented beers. Due to limitations in cellar capacity most of these beers have been brewed on small scales, and the only way to sample the majority of them has been to travel to the brewpub in Kendall Square. That is about to change with a unique new program Cambridge Brewing Company and Mystic Brewing are launching. The two breweries are collaborating on the opening of an expanded new barrel aging facility at the Mystic Brewery in Chelsea. Both have made a significant investment with the hope of producing world class lambic-style ales on a significant scale. You can read the full press release HERE. I am very excited to try these new releases once the program comes to fruition. These new beers should complement the solid selection of year-round bottle releases that Cambridge Brewing Company currently produces. One of CBC’s year-round offerings is Sgt. Pepper, a saison brewed with rye, Belgian style yeast and a variety of peppercorns. Named in honor of the classic Beatles album this saison is available on draft and in 22 oz. bombers.

Cambridge Brewing Company Sgt. Pepper pours a slightly hazy amber orange with a mild white head. The scent is mostly spicy Belgian style yeast with a just a touch of rye. The yeast leads the flavor, notes of clove, coriander and apple. This is complemented by the peppercorns, which adds some pepper flavor without overwhelming the other aspects of the beer. The malts add some complexity with hints of grainy barley and spicy rye. The beer is rounded out by some subtle earthy and grassy hops. There is a lot going on here, but the flavors mesh well. Sgt. Pepper is medium bodied, easy to drink and not too boozy at 6.0% ABV. Overall this is a solid beer with a very creative use of a non-traditional ingredient that complements the natural flavors of the yeast, malt and hops. Hoppy Boston score: 4.0/5.

Previous Cambridge Brewing Company Reviews:

Cambridge Brewing Company You Enjoy My Stout, Cambridge Brewing Company Remain in Light, Cambridge Brewing Company The Audacity of Hops