Judge's Review: 95 Rating - Nectarine Golden Ale by pFriem Family Brewers

Nectarine Golden Ale by pFriem Family Brewers​ was judged as a Wild Specialty Beer (28C). Nectarine flesh is notable in combination with some sweet malt and fermentation characteristics that are quite subtle in the nose. The pour is somewhat cloudy from a lot of in-bottle carbonation. The color is a somewhat murky brownish-gold. A thin, tan head forms in small pools and along the edge of the glass. The flavor has mild nectarine fruit flavor and fruit or malt sweetness backed with a refreshingly tart flavor mid-palate and finish from the yeast and wood aging. Just a little bit of oak/wood character can be tasted, and it becomes more noticeable as it warms. Acidity from the barrel aging, wild yeast contributions, residual wine or all of the above adds another enjoyable flavor angle to this beer. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied, but it becomes somewhat sharp in the finish from the acidity. All told, this is a wonderful beer that expresses nectarine in subtle, but enjoyable ways, on top of a mildly sour and tart, slightly wild fermentation. For me, this beer provides enough variation – without being overly dominant in any way – to keep me interested in the next quaff, and that is a wonderful quality to find in a beer.