CBC Beer Description
The following beer description is from our archive. For currently available beers, please refer to our House Beers, Seasonal Beers on Tap, and Cask Special pages
Arquebus
Summer Barleywine
GOLD MEDAL – EXPERIMENTAL BEERS GREAT AMERICAN BEER FESTIVAL 2008
An arquebus was a primitive firearm which came into use in the 15th Century, and was a predecessor to the musket and rifle. A smoothbore with a flared muzzle, similar but more refined and accurate than its predecessor the Blunderbuss (ah, there’s the thematic association, Blunderbuss being our winter barleywine…) it was capable of piercing the strong, full-plate armor worn into battle.
So, you must continue to wonder, what is a “Summer Barleywine?” Well, in our continuing quest to change the way people think about enjoying and understanding beer and beer styles, we have created a barleymalt-based interpretation of a dessert wine, meant to be sipped on those sultry summer evenings on our patio. It is also brewed with local Cambridge honey gathered from hives within five miles of our brewery by apiarist Mike Graney (http://www.eatlocalhoney.com), plus white wine grapes of the Semillon variety.
Our 2010 release is at once light and drinkable yet it boasts plenty of body, and is smooth despite its heroic 14%abv. Arquebus’ deep golden mien contains complex notes of peach and apricot fruit, wildflower honey, toast and coconut oakiness, and soft, tannin-hinted, white grape notes. Malolactic fermentation in the barrel adds a hint of acidity to balance the sweetness of this beer’s finish. It is served in a simple stemmed glass to further showcase its winelike character.
Aged for one year in French oak chardonnay barrels acquired from the Silverado and Chateau Boswell wineries in Napa, the residual flavors contributed by the wood offer a mellowness of character not provided by stainless steel fermentation, as controlled oxidation deepens its color, enhances its rich texture, and concentrated notes of fruit.
Enjoy!
Will Meyers
Brewmaster
OG: 1.130/32.5*P FG: 1.016/4.0*P ABV: 14.0%%