Boston area thread

[tylerk88]

CBC’s Barleywine Fest is this Saturday. List of beers is, as expected, pretty amazing:

2013 Arquebus, Silver Oak cabernet barrel finish, 14%
Big peach and grape nose, aggressive oak character, herbal wildflower honey. Fresh vinous red and white grape finish.

2014 Arquebus, merlot barrel finish, 14%
Semillon grape and honeyed nose, balanced oak character. Bright and smooth finish.

2015 Arquebus, chardonnay barrel finish, 14%
Perfumed muscat grape and honeyed nose, balanced new oak character. Bright and smooth finish.

2016 Arquebus, French oak Tokaji barrel finish, 12%
Peach and apricot fruit, loads of wildflower honey, sugarcane, and concentrated Semillon dessert wine character.

2017 Arquebus, Stags Leap Napa Valley chardonnay finish, 12%
Honey-drenched spiced pears, apricot nectar, young sauternes, balanced acidity.

2007 Blunderbuss, Woodford Reserve barrel finish, 11.5%
Marshmallow and vanilla notes accent a silky body. Nougat and caramel palate with hops still present in this 11 y.o. beer.

2009 Blunderbuss, Port barrel finish 12.75%
100% Vintage Port wine barrels. Caramel, herbal hops, fruit, red wine, toasted coconut, vanilla, oak.

2011 Blunderbuss, Tawny Port and Oloroso Sherry finish, 13%
Burnt sugar, red wine and sherry, toasted walnuts, caramel and hints of smoky oak.

2012 Blunderbuss, dryhopped, oak aged, and blended, 12.75%
Citrus, florals, and pine needles, full malty palate, hints of toffee, charred oak, elusive hints of spirit.

2013 Blunderbuss, Buffalo Trace rye barrel finish, 12.75%
Huge malt, turbinado, coconut and toast, leather, charred oak, spicy lingering spirit.

2014 Blunderbuss, WL Weller barrel-aged, 12.75%
Toffee, toasted marshmallow, golden raisins, balanced new oak and softly wheated spirit, firm hop bitterness.

2015 Blunderbuss, Heaven Hill barrel finish, 12.75%
Sweet cereal grain, figs and caramelized raisin, balanced oak and mellow spirit notes, firm hop bitterness.

2017 Blunderbuss, River Drive rye barrel finish, 13%
Bright fresh spirit and plenty of oak and char to balance sweet caramel malt. Quite warming but surprisingly dry and drinkable.

2014 Old Butternuts, Eagle Rare barrel-aged, 8.75%
ESB and Maris Otter malts offer toast and big caramel, dried fruit and toffee, and very bold spirit.

2015 Old Butternuts, Heaven Hill barrel-aged, 8.75%
ESB and Maris Otter malts, toast and toffee, hint of melon and fresh squash, dried fruit and warming spirit.

2017 Old Butternuts, River Drive Bourbon barrel-aged, 9.1%
Classic English strong ale, melon-like butternut squash, hint of tartness, malts tempered by fresh bourbon character

 

[tikk]

CBC’s Barleywine Fest is this Saturday. List of beers is, as expected, pretty amazing:

2013 Arquebus, Silver Oak cabernet barrel finish, 14%
Big peach and grape nose, aggressive oak character, herbal wildflower honey. Fresh vinous red and white grape finish.

2014 Arquebus, merlot barrel finish, 14%
Semillon grape and honeyed nose, balanced oak character. Bright and smooth finish.

2015 Arquebus, chardonnay barrel finish, 14%
Perfumed muscat grape and honeyed nose, balanced new oak character. Bright and smooth finish.

2016 Arquebus, French oak Tokaji barrel finish, 12%
Peach and apricot fruit, loads of wildflower honey, sugarcane, and concentrated Semillon dessert wine character.

2017 Arquebus, Stags Leap Napa Valley chardonnay finish, 12%
Honey-drenched spiced pears, apricot nectar, young sauternes, balanced acidity.

2007 Blunderbuss, Woodford Reserve barrel finish, 11.5%
Marshmallow and vanilla notes accent a silky body. Nougat and caramel palate with hops still present in this 11 y.o. beer.

2009 Blunderbuss, Port barrel finish 12.75%
100% Vintage Port wine barrels. Caramel, herbal hops, fruit, red wine, toasted coconut, vanilla, oak.

2011 Blunderbuss, Tawny Port and Oloroso Sherry finish, 13%
Burnt sugar, red wine and sherry, toasted walnuts, caramel and hints of smoky oak.

2012 Blunderbuss, dryhopped, oak aged, and blended, 12.75%
Citrus, florals, and pine needles, full malty palate, hints of toffee, charred oak, elusive hints of spirit.

2013 Blunderbuss, Buffalo Trace rye barrel finish, 12.75%
Huge malt, turbinado, coconut and toast, leather, charred oak, spicy lingering spirit.

2014 Blunderbuss, WL Weller barrel-aged, 12.75%
Toffee, toasted marshmallow, golden raisins, balanced new oak and softly wheated spirit, firm hop bitterness.

2015 Blunderbuss, Heaven Hill barrel finish, 12.75%
Sweet cereal grain, figs and caramelized raisin, balanced oak and mellow spirit notes, firm hop bitterness.

2017 Blunderbuss, River Drive rye barrel finish, 13%
Bright fresh spirit and plenty of oak and char to balance sweet caramel malt. Quite warming but surprisingly dry and drinkable.

2014 Old Butternuts, Eagle Rare barrel-aged, 8.75%
ESB and Maris Otter malts offer toast and big caramel, dried fruit and toffee, and very bold spirit.

2015 Old Butternuts, Heaven Hill barrel-aged, 8.75%
ESB and Maris Otter malts, toast and toffee, hint of melon and fresh squash, dried fruit and warming spirit.

2017 Old Butternuts, River Drive Bourbon barrel-aged, 9.1%
Classic English strong ale, melon-like butternut squash, hint of tartness, malts tempered by fresh bourbon character

Sounds awesome, I bet Saugusbrewer Will be there.

 

[Resuin]

I've still never been to this even though I live a couple blocks from the brewery. Sounds pretty interesting with so many different varieties of similar beers. Would be fun to do blind.

 

[BeersMorgan]

So sad I have a wedding Saturday. Barleywine fest is one of the best beer days of the year

 

[JCastle1]

I've still never been to this even though I live a couple blocks from the brewery. Sounds pretty interesting with so many different varieties of similar beers. Would be fun to do blind.

I don't even like barleywine and I love that event. You should definitely go sometime.

 

[Saugusbrewer]

Sounds awesome, I bet Saugusbrewer Will be there.

I wasn't.

 

[beerindex]

I wasn't.

Photekut, you have a like to give out.

 

[Saugusbrewer]

Photekut, you have a like to give out.

Well earned.

 

[tosh1]

Oh ****

 

[BeersMorgan]

I wasn't.

 

[Saugusbrewer]

Solid GIF. I am only back to hopefully make things right.

 

[Ziggy]

Solid GIF. I am only back to hopefully make things right.

 

[Wino1]

Flying out to Boston today for a week of work. Planning to swing by Trillium during the week and Tree House this weekend.

Anyone planning on being at either of them?

Also, any recommended places to eat / drink? I’m staying around Copley square

 

[Wino1]

Went to Trillium Fort Point last night which was a pretty cool walk.

Heading to Bar Mezzana tomorrow night and shooting for oysters on Thurs.

Really like the feel of this town; it's like a smaller NYC with more history.

 

[Auror]

Heading to Bar Mezzana tomorrow night and shooting for oysters on Thurs.

Don't skip the crostini (go eggplant if you're into that), octopus, any pasta.

 

[BigFrank]

Hey guys, I have a Trillium question. I have a few days in Boston and the Fort Point location is the closest place to get Trillium. Looks like that spot is only for growlers and can sales. I'll be on vacation with no growlers. Does this place regularly have cans or is it one of these twitter release **** shows? Is there a way to find out what they have available without showing up? I will be with my family and the Mrs. won't approve of too much beerchasing...thanks.

 

[tikk]

Hey guys, I have a Trillium question. I have a few days in Boston and the Fort Point location is the closest place to get Trillium. Looks like that spot is only for growlers and can sales. I'll be on vacation with no growlers. Does this place regularly have cans or is it one of these twitter release **** shows? Is there a way to find out what they have available without showing up? I will be with my family and the Mrs. won't approve of too much beerchasing...thanks.

They usually have cans and they update their website pretty frequently with what is available. Most canned stuff tends to hang around for a few days, unless super limited, from my experience. They also update their Twitter with any updates.

 

[Wino1]

Don't skip the crostini (go eggplant if you're into that), octopus, any pasta.

Did the tasting menu. Wonderful deal for $52.
Eggplant crostini was included and that was a highlight. That says something, because I don't like eggplant.

Place was legit.

 

[tylerk88]

Hey, Boston. Tell me about your favorite cocktail bar...

I have been frequenting Hawthorne and Eastern Standard lately, but the schlep from Somerville can be a pain. Have been enjoying Les Sablons in Harvard Square, which I understand is related to both Hawthorne and ES. Looking to try someplace new. Preference to T-accessible and north of the river, but will Uber pretty much anywhere within reason.

 

[Auror]

Back bar is in Somerville, right?

 

[austinbridges]

I’m in Bellingham for the night for work. Any suggestions of places nearby?

 

[NAPO]

I’m in Bellingham for the night for work. Any suggestions of places nearby?

Prezo and Depot St in Milford. Really good food and a solid taplist, especially Depot St.

I also heard the British Beer Company in Franklin has a really good taplist.

Start Line Brewing in Hopkinton is worth checking out.

All 3 towns are within a 10-15 minute drive in 495.

 

[Aaron from the Wood]

Hey, Boston. Tell me about your favorite cocktail bar...

I have been frequenting Hawthorne and Eastern Standard lately, but the schlep from Somerville can be a pain. Have been enjoying Les Sablons in Harvard Square, which I understand is related to both Hawthorne and ES. Looking to try someplace new. Preference to T-accessible and north of the river, but will Uber pretty much anywhere within reason.

I don't usually go out seeking cocktails, but places I enjoy them are Alden & Harlow, Stoddard's, and Marliave. Stoddard's 9 Dollar Sazerac is a great way to get sloshed.

 

[austinbridges]

Prezo and Depot St in Milford. Really good food and a solid taplist, especially Depot St.

I also heard the British Beer Company in Franklin has a really good taplist.

Start Line Brewing in Hopkinton is worth checking out.

All 3 towns are within a 10-15 minute drive in 495.

Actually at British beer company now. Nice taplist. Bad live bad.

 

[thegerm87]

Hey, Boston. Tell me about your favorite cocktail bar...

I have been frequenting Hawthorne and Eastern Standard lately, but the schlep from Somerville can be a pain. Have been enjoying Les Sablons in Harvard Square, which I understand is related to both Hawthorne and ES. Looking to try someplace new. Preference to T-accessible and north of the river, but will Uber pretty much anywhere within reason.

More or less in order - these have been some of my go-to places for cocktails and the best I’ve found in/around the city:

Yvonne’s (Downton Crossing)
Blossom Bar (Brookline)
Waypoint (Harvard Square)
Back Bar (Union Square)
Oak and Rowan (Seaport)
JM Curley (Downtown Crossing)

A few closer to you in the Somerville/Cambridge area that I’ve found to be solid (in no particular order):

Sarma
Loyal Nine
La Brasa
Oleana
Puritan and Co
Highland kitchen

Still a whole bunch of spots in the city that I need to check out but I hear are good. And I know it’s out of the way but if you ever find yourself in the area, do yourself a favor and go to Baldwin Bar in Woburn.

 

[NAPO]

BOOM! Super excited about this. CERISE CASSÈE 2015 might be one of the best sours I ever has and I can't wait to see how it has aged..........


Sour Fest will return on Saturday, March 31st!

Join us for an all day, un-ticketed fest celebrating CBC's Sour Beers! We'll have 16 funky, tart, & puckering Sour + Wild Ales on tap accompanied by a special menu by #ChefDavid.

On Tap for #CBCSourFest:

• AGAVE NAGILA (9.5%) — Tequila barrel-aged for one year with Brettanomyces, this strong Belgian blonde ale is then blended with Kosher salt and fresh lime zest - adding margarita character to this cool beer with aged agave spirit character. Rejoice and be happy!

• A PICTURE OF NECTAR (6%) — barrel fermented sour ale with loads of pureed whole apricots! The fresh fruit dominates the palate with bright acid and heady complexity, and summertime flavors of apricot nectar and fresh stone fruit.

• BRETT CONSPIRACY 2017(6%) — Pils malt, oats, raw wheat, fermented in oak barrels, dryhopped with Galaxy and Centennial hops. Six months of mixed culture fermentation yields a floral and fruity beer with notes of pineapple and guava, blueberries, and a super dry finish.

• CERISE CASSÈE 2015 (9%) — This vintage expression of our groundbreaking Solera-aged American sour ale is a blend of beers fermented and aged in the wood between one and twelve years old. Amazingly amazing!

• CERISE CASSÈE 2018 (9%) — Our most recent expression of our groundbreaking Solera-aged American sour ale is a blend of beers fermented and aged in the wood between one and fourteen years old. Amazingly amazing!

• THE COLONEL 2015 (6.5%) — Barrel aged “Vatted” porter with Brettanomyces, our modern interpretation of the ‘entire’ original porter-style beers of the 19 th century. Vanilla and charred oak round out flavors of berry, roast, and caramel with a tart finish.

• COR CORDIUM (5%) — GABF-winning collab with our pals at Jester King Brewery. Local barley, wheat, and rye co-fermented with CBC’s and Jester King’s wild yeast cultures. Refermented with foraged Cornelian cherries and heirloom cranberries. Incredible.

• EVERYTHING IS A REMIX 2016 (7%) – CBC’s house mixed culture, fermented in oak barrels. Spicy, tart, and dry palate complemented by blending and dryhopping in stainless steel. Floral & tropical fruit, spice and funk, grassy and dank hop character and bright acidity.

• HENDRIX 2017 (6%) — Imperial Berliner Weisse with the fruity flavor of fresh cucumbers gains additional complexity from oak previously used for aging artisanal gin. Notes of citrus peel and spicy juniper, subtle botanical notes of rose petals and sandalwood.

• HONEY BADGER 2017 (6%) — Naturally fermented in the wood, barrel additions of honey came from our pal Mike Graney of Eat Local Honey and his awesome bees. Its brightly acidic nose, loads of honey, fruit blossom, citrus, and funk. Honey Badger just don’t care!

• JACK STRAW 2016 (4.5%) — 100% Brettanomyces sour ale, a transformation via barrel fermentation with Brett. bruxellensis drei and Brett. custercianus offering amazing tropical fruit notes of pineapple, passion fruit, and guava to this refreshing beer with a bracingly tart edge.

• OM 2017 (7.8%) — A secondary Brettanomyces ferment adds complexity to this strong blonde ale, vibrated in Bbls at 136Hz. Dry on the palate, with notes of mandarin orange and peach fruit, honeyed malt and hops providing inner bliss, equanimity, and world harmony.

• VIVE BRUXELLES! (6.8%) — Our interpretation of the sour red ales of Flanders. Barrel fermentation and a year of maturation in oak on whole black currants brings us this deep garnet-colored beer. Complex vinous notes, dark berries, sour cherry, and fruit leather, firm tannins, polished oak character, refined acidity.

• WAKE UP THE SUN 2017 (5.5%) — Barrel-fermented mixed culture saison. Raw and malted wheat and rye, Brettanomyces, Lactobacillus and saison yeast. Fruity and complex palate filled with lemon, papaya, mango and spice. Subtle funk, coconut and oak round out the slightly vinous finish.

• WET HOT AMERICAN SOUR 2017 (6.3%) — Crushable kettle-sour beer with orange and lemon peel, a touch of coriander, and a dose of Citra and Sorachi Ace hops combine to create a citrus-forward palate with bright, refreshing acidity.

• WHATS THE USE?(6.3%) — Brewed with sweet gale, yarrow, wild rosemary, along with Labrador tea, licorice root and nettles. Aged in oak wine barrels inoculated with our wild yeast culture. Pleasant herbal tea aroma with up-front acidity, spicy Belgian yeast, and malt followed by a satisfying, dry finish.

Beers List Subject To Change at our discretion.

 

[tylerk88]

Back bar is in Somerville, right?

Went on Friday and it was great. Definitely a bit of a hipster spot, but the cocktails were tasty and bartender was friendly and super helpful. Would go back for sure.

 

[BigFrank]

Sorry for what might be a dumb question. Trying to calculate the cost of driving from Boston to Jersey City. Anybody know what the tolls would run?

 

[Auror]

Sorry for what might be a dumb question. Trying to calculate the cost of driving from Boston to Jersey City. Anybody know what the tolls would run?

About $7.

 

[BigFrank]

Staying in Beacon Hill this weekend near the Whole Foods. Headed to Panza and Mike's pastry on Saturday night with the family. Probably hit whole foods for bottles unless someone has a place within walking distance with a better local selection.

Doing all the typical touristy stuff (freedom trail, fan hall, Revere house) on Sunday. Hoping to hit Trillium/Row 34, but open to lunch suggestions closer to the freedom trail. Stoddard's?

Much appreciated!