Peak Organic Winter Session Ale - Peak Organic Brewing Company

kylehay2004

Florida

4.01/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Half finger head with nice lacing on a clear amber with a very slight golden hue body. Aroma of earthy hops, caramel, toasted malts and sweet breads. Flavor is nicely balanced with earthy and bready flavors and sweetness with wheats and rye. Medium body and moderate carbonation. Fairly certain this is the first of this style I have had. Very drinkable and flavorful.

Serving type: on-tap

04-18-2013 21:11:45 | More by kylehay2004

chinchill

South Carolina

3.7/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

12 oz bottle dated best by June 2013. Pours a deep brown color with a tan head that had good retention an left plenty of attractive lacing.
Smells more like a lager than a dark wheat, with more spicy hops than expected. The hops also out weigh the malts in tasting, although there is a solid malt base and enough malts to keep the beer just mildly bitter even in the finish.
Nice mouthfeel, with somewhat crisp carbonation and a medium body.

Enjoyable session beer, but not particularly a "winter" ale.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2013 22:12:39 | More by chinchill

Cylinsier

Pennsylvania

4.01/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

12 oz.

Pours a clear nut brown, off-white lacing.

Smells of grapefruit and pine.

Tastes of piney fruity hops and maple malts. Mild roasted elements.

Medium bodied with a mild carbonation.

A highly drinkable hoppy ale, great flavor. Highly sessionable and fresh. Definitely will have this again.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 03:35:07 | More by Cylinsier

tdm168

North Carolina

4.24/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A - dark brownish amber with a thin lacing of off white head that quickly fades away

S - citrusy, peppery, spicy

T - citrus, caramel, some spicy peppery hops, bitter finish; very very faint black cherry notes and faint medicinal aftertaste

M - medium bodied, well carbonated, crisp

This is my first Dark Wheat Ale. I didn't really know what to expect. This was surprisingly hoppy and flavorful. It has surprising depth for a wheat ale. This isn't at all a bad beer. I could definitely drink a lot of these. It's also a nice change of pace from the other heavy or over-spiced winter offerings.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 01:02:43 | More by tdm168

plaid75

New York

4.1/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On draft at The Lark, East Northport, NY.

Poured a medium amber hue with a half finger foamy white head. There was decent retention and lacing.

The smell featured a light earthy caramel, vanilla and a vibrant herbal hop.

The taste featured a grainy caramel and an assertive herbal hop spice that lingered past the finish.

The mouthfeel was of average fullness with a dry finish.

Overall a tasty hop forward winter beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-09-2013 03:34:26 | More by plaid75

JStans12

New York

4.08/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a clear dark red/brown with a single finger head that dissipates quickly.

S - Nose is pleasant. Dominated by citrus hops with undertones of wheat and toasted malt.

T - Wheat and toasted malt flavors appear first, followed by a caramel malt sweetness and a slight hop bitterness in the finish.

M - Feels light and crisp. Goes down real easy.

O - I was surprised at how much this beer impressed me. It turned me on to the style. I'll be trying any dark wheats that I can get my hands on.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2013 16:01:00 | More by JStans12

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.79/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Looks like a dark cream soda, except the thin head remains.

Toasted wheat, woodiness, light cola, extra toast, strange fruitiness, clove-y spice, and very light maple. Interesting enough to win me over.

Bitter and sweet. Wheat tangy with some roastiness. Earthy/herbal hops, toffee, light mulling spice, and a splinter of soft overripe fruit (pineapple).

Light-medium body with a semi-spicy carbonation. It feels prickly, but I think it works. Thank goodness, there's some noticeable alcohol.

American Dark Wheat, eh? I don't mind this. I'll seek out more. This one here... is good. Good? Yes.

Serving type: on-tap

01-25-2013 04:18:33 | More by thecheapies

MaineBrewing

Maine

4.1/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Picked up six pack at Hannafords 11.99 in south Portland.

A - Poured two into my 27 ounce beer mug, resulting in a one finger tan almost coffee ish fluffy head dissapated in a few minutes to a nice cap with some early signs of lacing. color is a translucent brown with amber hue.

S - Nose is toasted malt and cereal with a bright fresh citrus hop aroma. slight woody notes with a hint of smoke.

T - very tasty and balanced. Nice malt taste up front, the character carries over from the smell with a nice slightly toasty malt and cereal with a woody nuttiness, nicely hopped with ample citrus flavor to balance out the malts, the bittering hops provide a delightfully dry finish.

M - very nice light mouthfeel the lends to the drinkability, as I would expect from a wheat ale. Ample carbonation and dry finish, truly a sessionable winter ale.

O - overall I am very impressed. Very refreshing winter ale, not heavy by any means, not filled with a bunch of spices, doesn't let me down. Sure I do like the heavy winter warmers but i think the winter session ale is a good concept, and this example is well executed.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2013 03:31:28 | More by MaineBrewing

suspect

New York

3.78/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a Real Ale snifter.

A: Clear brown color with amber hues. Aggressive center pour leads to a 1 finger off white head that fades slowly into a tiny ring. Lacing is spotty but sticky.

S: Hops hit first which is quite a present surprise. Hits almost like a black IPA. Malts and spices come in second but are quite subdued compared to the hoppy overtones.

T: Follows the nose with the hops being a touch more subdued and the malts standing out a bit more. Spices are present but subdued as well.

M: Thin and a touch undercarbonated. Lowlight of the beer.

O: A good winter session beer. Could definitely drink a few of these.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 04:40:22 | More by suspect

templar316

Pennsylvania

2.9/5  rDev -21.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A nice bright amber with an off white head that doesn't hang around. It's got a nice hop nose; piney, citrusy. The taste falls short a quick hop blast falls into a garlicky middle and then fades into cloying wheaty finish. It goes down smooth and would be easy to drink a couple.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2013 01:29:37 | More by templar316

CloudStrife

New York

3.35/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle poured into a tulip. Best by June 2013.

A: Pours a clear ruby with a 1.5 finger mostly white head.

S: Can get the wheat background with a spicy hop. Pretty funky aroma going on here almost like a moldy wet old sock.

T: Fairly balanced taste here, good wheat malts and I like the spice from the hop. Certainly sessionable and fitting for the winter.

M: Light bodied with average carbonation. Good clean body, smooth drinking.

Overall not a bad seasonal beer, interesting just wish the aroma wasnt so off. Maybe blending in some more hops would help.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 22:42:04 | More by CloudStrife

Durge

Connecticut

3.98/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A clear, mahogany colored winter ale with an impressive eggshell cover and tenacious lacing. The aroma has tart rhubarb yeast and strawberry caramel-vanilla. Very interesting, I like it. The flavor brings more tart lemony malt with a bit of ginger-nutmeg. It's a little aqueous in feel, medium-light bodied with mild but tingly carbonation. I get a little bit of an evergreen hop that makes this an overall enjoyable change up for the winter months!

Serving type: on-tap

12-30-2012 08:32:00 | More by Durge

UCLABrewN84

California

3.08/5  rDev -16.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Best before 6/2013.

Pours a clear copper with a foamy khaki head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Small streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, wheat, and some onion, garlic, and herbal hop aromas. Taste is much the same with a very earthy flavor on the finish. There is a medium hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty average beer with the onion and garlic aromas and flavors I am not a fan of.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2012 02:09:14 | More by UCLABrewN84

tkelley

Massachusetts

3.78/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured into my brand new Peak Organic shaker pint glass (I was told it's a true 16 oz glass, but I havent checked yet).

A -- nice clear dark caramel color with a small white head.

N -- big piny, resiny nose with some orange peel and nice caramelly, toasty background.

T -- again, nice hoppy, piny taste from citra hops. this also adds a good spicy character, but its a hop spice not a spice spice, if that makes sense. I get a toasted marshmallow taste on the back, which makes this a great winter flavor to me. really think the taste stands out on this one.

M -- average mouthfeel, nothing special to report. no problems with it.

O -- I was pleasantly surprised by this. I had no idea what to expect, and I usually don't think of hoppy wheat ales when I think of winter brews. I could definitely drink these throughout the course of a holiday party or a winter camping trip for several hours. Really good quality.

Cheers (and have a safe winter!)!

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2012 00:20:05 | More by tkelley

openmind

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

a- Lovely darkish color with small off white head.

s - Out of this world citrusy/resiny nose.

t- I was ready for an "added spice" bomb, like many winters. But, this one got its spiciness from the citra hop. A nice round caramel malt character fills in too. I like it a lot. Drinkable. This is a winter beer you can enjoy more that one of.

I'll be matching my tastings of other winters to this one.

m - Moderately nice mouthfeel.

o - This is a delicious session beer. I'll buy a case, if it is on sale.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2012 17:43:29 | More by openmind

Mounty4Life

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into 5oz taster glass til gone..really nice white head with dark brownish color and with a little lacing. Smell is lacking and tastes better than smells . I never had dark wheat before but tastes and looks are great just lacks smell that would balance everything! Tastes malts and light toastyness that is pleasant and a hint of wheat. Mild Carb and easy to drink so I'll have another. I'm sure its old being June but still enjoyed and like organic beer for flavor!

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2012 02:54:37 | More by Mounty4Life

tone77

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a brown 12 oz. bottle. Has a brown color with amber hues and a 1/2 inch head. Smell is hops, some spice and malts. Taste is good, some hoppy bitterness up front followed by toasted malts, a touch of wheat. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and overall is a quality beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2012 19:22:42 | More by tone77

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.85/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in a bottle at Idle Hands in New York, NY

A: Pours a clear dark amber with a half finger tall off-white head. The head reduces to a thin layer of bubbles across the entire surface of the beer and a thicker ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate lacing is observed.

S: Nice aroma of caramel, wheat, and an almost rye like spiciness.

T: Wonderful wheat flavors with nice caramel and toffee notes. A small amount of spiciness like one usually gets in a rye and a slight sweetness in the beginning.

M: Light to medium bodied with moderate carbonation.

O: Very light and really easy to drink, a very sessionable beer. I really like the spice hint that I get in this beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2012 14:41:15 | More by dbrauneis

scootny

New York

3.73/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I missed most of the seasonals this winter as I was busy hustling and spending my meager finances on the wife and kids. This is a pleasant find at the end of the winter. A clear light brown fluid with a smallish off white head. It recedes after a moment and there is a good amount of lacing on the glass. Smell is buttery with a roasted graininess and a mild hop blend of earth and light citrus. Taste is quite nice with a malty front of lightly sweet bread and maybe a touch of dark roasted wheat with butter. Finish is dry with a firm hop bitterness both earthy and citrus. Nice weight. Enough heft for the winter while not being heavy and with a lovely light, smooth carbonation. I went through my bottle quickly and since this is a session ale that would be appropriate. Nice winter session ale indeed.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2012 00:18:58 | More by scootny

shand

Florida

4.08/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a Sam Adams perfect pint.

Pours a clear brown color with a fingers of head. The aroma is very nice, it's got a very rich banquet of some strong citrus and floral hops, along with sweet toffee. The taste is also quite good, it's got a little something here for everyone. Piney, citrus hops come through first, followed by some wheat, with the finish providing some nice toffee and coffee flavors. The mouthfeel is well-carbonated and light, but the finish provides just a slight drying effect that, together with the ending roast, is quite satisfying. The drinkability is very good. Overall, this one took me by surprise. It's a fairly unique winter seasonal brew that hits a ton of different flavors without seeming disjointed.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2012 03:11:12 | More by shand

u2carew

Massachusetts

4.48/5  rDev +21.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle
A) Pours with a two finger head. Crystal clear amber colored body. Sticky lacing on the drink down.
S) Floral hop notes. Caramel. Hints of spruce.
T) Sweet and grainy. Caramel. Toffee. Subtle spruce. A lingering sweet caramel and tobacco.
M) Creamy. Smooth. Light to medium body.
O) A great beer. I will be having another.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2012 03:05:34 | More by u2carew

Arborescence

Finland

4.23/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Brown, with a hint of ruby red, pours a thin head.

Aroma: Interesting! Rather strong toffee/caramel, with some fresh fruitiness — presumably due to the wheat and Citra hops — and a hint of hops. Delicious aroma!

Taste: Not as sweet or candy-like as you might expect from the aroma, but the toffee/caramel characteristics are certainly there. Initially the taste is almost disappointing, because it doesn’t compare with the aroma, but it’s the aftertaste that counts here, and the sweet notes linger at the back of the tongue. The wheat and fruity notes are quite masked, but the beer has a certain freshness to it, which is peculiar when combined with the toasty sweetness. Good stuff, but it could use a bit more depth.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, nice and round.

Overall: I’ve had one or two brews by Peak Organic at pubs in the US, but I haven’t formed a clear impression of them yet. They have some very interesting sounding beers, and I do hope to get my hands on more; this one is promising.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2012 21:37:51 | More by Arborescence

oberon

North Carolina

3.58/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a standard pint glass a clear amber/brown with a frothy one finger white head atop,I expected some haze with this being a wheat ale.The citra hops come thru nicely giving some piney and citric notes mixed with molasses,a nice mix.A little thin in the feel it seems to take a little away from some flavor depth.The cita hops play arole on the palate giving off some grapefruit qualities and there is some raw nuttiness as well but again that thinner feel stops the complexities in their tracks.This is close to being good but the malt bill needs to be bumped up a little.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2012 21:38:43 | More by oberon

JizackFH

New York

3.75/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - This beer pours a nice dark copper color with good clarity. There is about a finger of off-white head resting on top. The head has okay retention, and it leaves behind some scattered lace on the glass.

S - The nose is of toasted malts and wheat. There is a really nice citrus hop presence, as well as other aromas of caramel, nuts, toffee, and some fruit.

T - The taste start off with some toasted malt and wheat flavor. There is a nice roastiness to it. There is a nice citrusy hop flavor, as well as some caramel and toffee. Some fruitiness and nuttiness is present as well. The finish leaves some lingering toasted malt and hop bitterness behind in the mouth.

M - This has a medium body and good carbonation. It goes down easy and has a nice smooth feel to it. There is some initial sweetness and a nice amount of hop bitterness. It has a nice balance to it.

O - This has good drinkability. It is smooth and the flavor is nice. I could drink a few pints of this. Overall, I think it is a nice and interesting beer. This is my first dark wheat ale, but I would like to find some more. I really liked the balance between the toasted malts and the citrus hop flavor. It just worked for me. It is worth trying out.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2012 07:00:51 | More by JizackFH

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clean orange-ish color with an off white head. In the aroma, gingerbread like and a note of peppermint. In the taste, orange citrus and just a touch minty. A smooth and medium bodied mouthfeel, with a small dry orange citrus hop like aftertaste. Tastes of orange citrus with the hops, but fresh hop like brings the mint like note.

Serving type: on-tap

02-07-2012 15:07:17 | More by OWSLEY069