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James Link's picture

Smuttlabs Smoked Peach Short Weisse

January, 2016
Judges Rating: 
87
Aroma: 
22 / 24
Appearance: 
5 / 6
Flavor: 
34 / 40
Mouthfeel: 
9 / 10
Overall Impression: 
17 / 20

This is a very different approach to a Berliner Weisse; it features a distinct peach aroma followed by a light smokiness and a firm tart character. It is pale straw in color and hazy with low head retention, which is not unusual for beers of this style due to high acid content.

The flavor was highly lactic and more notably smoky than the aroma. Peach notes were prevalent in the bouquet but were somewhat hidden behind the pronounced tartness in the flavor. As is often the case with Berliner Weisse, the finish was distinctly dry.

This beer was quite thin in body with high carbonation levels that dissipated quickly. Alcohol character, which is traditionally in the 2.8 - 3.8% ABV range, was considerably higher here.

A tad more peach-derived sweetness would have helped offset the high lactic nature of this effort and improved drinkability, but this is still an interesting experimental Berliner Weisse.