Carina Peach Sour Ale by Ecliptic is a Sour Peach Ale and is being evaluated as a Wild Specialty Beer (2015 BJCP Category 28C) according to BJCP guidelines. For this style expect a sour fruited version of a fruit beer.
Soft, supple peach skin and flesh greet my nose immediately as I approach the glass. Warm biscuit malt stands proud underneath and supports the peaches well. The pour is a nearly clear rich orange with a copper quality and a large, thick and creamy off-white head. The head lasts a bit but does not produce any particular lacing. Initial mouthful provides a tart dried peach character, some lightly astringent peach skin notes and a lactic/citric sourness blended perfectly. The biscuit malt is less than the aroma suggests but still present as it provides a base for the peach sourness. A pleasant pepperiness leads me into a dry finish. A medium body and carbonation complete the experience.
Overall, as I contemplate this sample further, I note no off flavors or characteristics yet wonder what is missing. While peach-centric and sour, I do not find anything that really grips me. The peaches do exhibit a canned quality with light syrupy notes though as this sits longer. The malt comes closer to warm pie crust but overall, this one stops short. Maybe fresh peaches and a healthier acidity would do this beer some good and provide the intangibles I am missing.
