Judge’s Review: 89 Rating – Peaches n’ Orange Creamsicle by Garage Brewing Co.

Fruit Beer | Seasonal | USA

By Jim Koebel

Judges Rating: 89
Aroma: 23
Appearance: 6
Flavor: 34
Mouthfeel: 9
Overall Impression: 17

Peaches n’ Orange Creamsicle by Garage Brewing Co. is a Hefeweizen-style beer brewed with natural peach and orange flavors, judged as a BJCP Category 29A. Fruit Beer.
In Fruit Beer examples, fruit additions should add character and complexity to the base beer style (in this case, Hefeweizen). Ideally, the fruit will complement the base beer as well. All in all, it should still taste like beer and the base style should be recognizable.
This beer has a juicy, fruity aroma that is predominantly peach. Orange is secondary, and both characteristics come across as fresh. Any typical yeast-derived aromas from a Hefeweizen yeast (if used) are masked. It pours a hazy gold color with a white head made up of small bubbles. The head lingers nicely. This beer’s flavor tastes more of Hefeweizen and less of fruit, which is a departure from the aroma. It has wheaty, grainy and bready malt flavors and is dry and crisp. There is a low, pleasant spicy phenol flavor in the finish that is appropriate for the Hefeweizen style. Fruity flavors are subdued, but peach and orange are both detectable and tasty. Overall, this pairing of peach, orange and the Hefeweizen style is enjoyable. However, I wouldn’t go so far to say it tastes like a creamsicle. The aroma-to-flavor balance is markedly inconsistent, too. Still, this beer is a refreshing option for summer.