As you know, we are big beer people. Funny because we’re not big drinkers. We’ve enjoyed many a brewery tour and have a huge respect for the process and the brewers. It’s fascinating to us! Despite the fact that we hardly drink. Though when we do, we like to really enjoy the beverage at hand.
So I thought I’d start a little feature on here called Beer In Review. What’s the beer equivalent of foodies? Beeries? Drinkies? In any case, this is for you!
First up on Beer In Review is Dogfish Head’s summer brew, Festina Pêche.
Festina Pêche is billed as a neo-BerlinerWeisse beer fermented with peach concentrate. I have to admit I settled on this beer because I was looking for something we had in Portland on our honeymoon (but couldn’t find) and needed a replacement fruity beer.
At first sip I thought – yech, that’s sour! But then I did my homework and realized that the BerlinerWeisse style is intentionally sour and is oftentimes paired with summer fruits like peaches. After understanding the brewing method, I understood the flavor complexity better. And enjoyed the beer much more.
The taste is light, but definitely sour. The peach is only slightly noticeable and, if you didn’t know about BerlinerWeisse, you may think the peach concentrate was the thing that went funky in the beer. The finish is clean and there is not much of an after taste at all.
ABV: 4.5%
IBU: 8
My Rating: B-
Beer Advocate’s Rating: B
(included because I love everything they’re about and totally trust them)
I have to be honest. I want to hate everything about Dogfish Head. I’ve always thought breweries up here in the Northeast (Harpoon, Magic Hat, Smuttynose) are doing the same styles as Dogfish but better. I want to hate Sam Calagione and his show, Brew Masters, because he’s such a hippie goof and the show makes running a brewery look easy (which it’s not). But I just can’t. I love him, I love the beers, I’m dying to go on the Dogfish brewery tour, and I constantly feel guilty for rooting against them.
With that off my chest, I can totally recommend trying this beer. I probably wouldn’t purchase it again myself, but it’s definitely worth a try.
Domestocrat 
Cool post – I’m not a beer drinker, but I enjoy your reviews and photos! Looking forward to the next one…
Thanks! Got one waiting in the wings actually :)
I’m very excited to read more about your Beer in Reviews! I love craft/microbrew beers. How exciting to find someone to talk to about beers :)
I’ve had this beer before and also found it a bit sour. I do enjoy other peach beers, I think Pyramid has one? What do you think of blueberry beers like Bar Harbor or Wild Blue?
http://christinadesignsart.wordpress.com/
Thanks, I hope you like them!
Blueberry beers aren’t my favorite actually, I find they never really taste like blueberries to me! It’s too subtle.