Benevolence
Cambridge Brewing Company

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From:
Cambridge Brewing Company
 
Massachusetts, United States
Style:
Wild Ale
ABV:
13.5%
Score:
95
Avg:
4.31 | pDev: 10.44%
Reviews:
36
Ratings:
67
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jan 23, 2022
Added:
May 25, 2003
Wants:
  32
Gots:
  3
Blended Dark wild ale brewed with raisins, aged in American oak rye barrels.

An altogether new and unique creation in the world of beer, Benevolence combines the age-old traditions of Belgian lambic blending, Flanders sour red ales, and barrel-aged English strong ales, with new American ingenuity and a penchant for the bizarre.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by ridedammit:
Photo of ridedammit
Reviewed by ridedammit from New Zealand

4.8/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
I have had benevelonce a few times when I was lucky enough to find it on tap
at CBC. But the batch (2001?) at the 17th anniversary was simply
a great brew. A lovely very dark color with a darkish-tan head. The
nose is mainly of raisin or prune, and the taste is very complex, again
with the raising and fig feel. It finishes much like a port, and is an amazingly
drinkable beer. Its one of those once in a lifetime beers, unless Will and crew
have another barrel stowed away somewhere (please oh please).
May 11, 2006
More User Ratings:
Photo of SABERG
Reviewed by SABERG from Massachusetts

4.19/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Poured from the 375 ml bottle, cage and cork. Opened with a slight hiss, poured at fridge temp.
A - Dark mahagony color, intirguing view of the carbonation as it slowly crawls up the glass interior. A thin ring is a constant presence during the experience.
S - Sherry, Banyuls wine aged, some balsamic vinegar. Bourbon barrel elements, with vanilla are a nice addition.
T - Well, theres all from the aromatics with more dark fruit, raisin, fig, dark cherry skins. A thread of barrel funk in the best way.
M - A sweet start is quickly balanced with beautiful acidity, That fortified wine feeling, with an alcohol exhale acts as the drying agent. Surprisingly delicate in body, avoids being on the syrup side. Texture is outstanding.
O - A truly delightful sipper, Flanders, meets lambic, meets Port. My only regret is not having more in he basement.
I bet this will be in the appertif realm in a year or so.
Jan 23, 2022
 
Rated: 3.52 by j37geogaddi from Massachusetts

Jan 01, 2021
Photo of Sheppard
Reviewed by Sheppard from Massachusetts

4.56/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a dark mahogany brown. Aromas of cola, chocolate covered cherries, cherries, some toasted oak as well. There's lots of raisin and prune, complimented by vanilla. Some pomegranate juice-like cidric tartness. It hides the heat well, but it's nearly still like a Mystic Entropy. There's almost a little Sherry Oloroso on the finish along with a touch of oak. I have sipped this quite slowly and haven't felt that it errs on the "too acidic" side at all. This is a richly complex beer that has benefitted greatly from the extended slumber in barrels and year bottle conditioning.
Dec 06, 2020
Photo of NHBeerDrinker
Reviewed by NHBeerDrinker from Massachusetts

4.32/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 375 mL bottle

Look: Dark (almost black) without any head
Smell: Smells of oak and malt
Taste: Flavorful; can taste the oak and raisin with a sweet finish
Feel: Thick with a refreshing finish
Overall: Well balanced beer and rich beer
Nov 21, 2020
 
Rated: 4.15 by SierraFlight from Virginia

Jan 06, 2020
Photo of mike22ne
Reviewed by mike22ne from Massachusetts

4.45/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On tap at the brewery.

Huge aromas of raisins and dark caramelized fruits, apparent as soon as the glass is on the table.
Taste follows with raisins, dark cherry, caramel fudge, and a nice light sourness and funky quality. Reminiscent of port wine or Flanders red ale. Dry finish.

Well balanced, a nice touch of wild sourness but not overly so.

Excellent, glad I tried it!
Aug 15, 2019
 
Rated: 4.25 by whatsgoody from Vermont

Aug 07, 2019
Photo of jmdrpi
Reviewed by jmdrpi from Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
on draft at the brewpub, in a smaller (10 oz? ) glass

very dark brown in color, with off-white colored head, that fades soon. big boozy aroma of raisin, plum, black cherry, some dark caramel. similar complex flavors in the taste. medium bodied.
Aug 05, 2019
Photo of brentk56
Reviewed by brentk56 from North Carolina

4.65/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Appearance: Arrives the color of a full-bodied red wine with a one finger head; a few strands of lacing.

Smell: Dates, raisins, plum and red wine grape ; buttressed by dark chocolate, oak and a Bourbon barrel character

Taste: Dark chocolate and dark fruit forward, with dates, raisin, plum and red wine grape; the Bourbon arrives in the mid-palate, bringing oak, vanilla and a hint of smoke; the finish brings together all of the elements

Mouthfeel: Full bodied with moderate carbonation; some warmth in the gullet

Overall: One of the most interesting beers I have tasted thus far in 2019; so much going on but it works very well
Aug 03, 2019
Photo of jbertsch
Reviewed by jbertsch from Massachusetts

4.26/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Confused in rating this. The beer's delicious but it's billed as a wild ale, or that it has has wild ale elements. But there's no resemblance of anything wild sour or tart in its flavor or aroma. It drinks like a barrel aged old ale. Completely delicious but since it's billed as a wild ale I have to knock some points of the score for that.
Jun 26, 2019
Photo of smcolw
Reviewed by smcolw from Massachusetts

3.82/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Deep mahogany brown where no light passes. Lasting minor head. Little lace.

Strong berry and alcohol aroma, like a rich sherry.

Lots of raisin with a string boozy alcohol kick. Chewy body with a lower carbonation level. This is an after dinner beer particularly appropriate for the winter months. Think sherry.
May 19, 2019
 
Rated: 4.15 by Mikeluzzjr from Massachusetts

Oct 21, 2015
 
Rated: 4.3 by MrDarcy from Massachusetts

Mar 28, 2015
 
Rated: 4.25 by GonzoHomebrewer from Massachusetts

Dec 05, 2014
 
Rated: 4.15 by Jason from Massachusetts

Oct 24, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by amanforallsaisons from Connecticut

Sep 01, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by Ograd001 from Connecticut

Jun 15, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by JKV96 from Massachusetts

Jun 15, 2014
Photo of Jerl
Reviewed by Jerl from Massachusetts

3.7/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
I must start by saying this style and the raisin notes are not favorites and why the taste score was lower for me. However this is well made, full of flavor and lends perfectly to its barrel aging. Light carbonation, deep wine color and intense aroma. Raisin, chocolate, dates come through in taste.
If you are a fan of the style and these flavor notes this is a must try.
Jun 14, 2014
Benevolence from Cambridge Brewing Company
Beer rating: 95 out of 100 with 67 ratings