This new establishment on South Street, owned by the Hawthorne's crew, hosted a great event to open their doors to the public for the first time. While The Cambridge isn't actually in full operation yet, this preview of what is to come was very impressive. The event was based around Maine Brewing Company but also had drafts featuring FiftyFifty and Stillwater. We tried some awesome beers from each brewery but the hands-down highlight were the two types of FiftyFifty Eclipse on tap, Rittenhouse Rye and Brewmaster’s Grand Cru Blend. Eclipse is a barrel-aged version of FiftyFifty's Totality Imperial Stout. In 2011, there were seven variations of Eclipse (Elijah Craig® 12 year Barrel, Four Roses® Single Barrel, Rittenhouse® Rye Barrel, Elijah Craig® 20 year Barrel, Brandy Barrel Blend, Buffalo Trace® Barrel Blend, and Brewmaster’s Grand Cru Blend).
From the FiftyFifty website:
"What happens when you take an award winning Imperial Stout, put it in oak bourbon barrels, and then age it for six months? One of the most epic beer tasting experiences you will ever have: ECLIPSE.
Imperial Stouts are noted for being very rich substantial beers, and FiftyFifty's Totality Imperial Stout does not disappoint on this fact. Brewed in small 300 gallons batches, our brewers lovingly craft this masterpiece once a year. Made with the finest malts, hops, fresh mountain water and yeast, over 18 separate ingredients lend their unique character to this beer.
To become Eclipse, Totality is then aged for a minimum of 180 days in oak bourbon barrels. This time spent adds a plethora of flavors to the already rich Imperial Stout. At first taste there is a large presence of dark chocolate, espresso and warmth from the alcohol of the beer. Oak barrel character then comes into play with hints of vanilla and coconut, followed by mild bitterness from the hops, and then a nice long lingering finish with hints of tobacco, dark dried fruit and more chocolate. Eclipse is a wonderful companion with dessert. A beer meant for contemplation best enjoyed in a snifter and with a friend.
Because of the extensive brewing and aging process, Eclipse is only released once a year."
Both of the Eclipses were fantastic with the Grand Cru coming out as the favorite. This delicious bourbon maltshake was less carbonated and much heavier-bodied than the Rittenhouse Rye version. Bourbon, bittersweet chocolate, oaky vanilla, dark caramel, roasted malt, dark fruit, and toffee rounded out this very complex, aged stout. The incredibly smooth and creamy character made this 9.5% brew almost too easy to drink.
Cheers and best of luck to the gang from Hawthorne's on their newest effort. I'll definitely be coming back as soon as The Cambridge is officially opened.
http://www.cambridgeonsouth.com/
http://hawthornecafe.com/
http://www.fiftyfiftybrewing.com/
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