Festina Pêche - Dogfish Head Brewery

sjones5045

New Jersey

3.81/5  rDev +5%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Pours like a light wit beer. Decent white head and looks pretty fizzy. You can smell the peach instantly along with a sort of musty smell. Tastes refreshing and goes down easy. It does have almost a Chardonnay tangy finish which I'm not wild about but it doesn't ruin it. I'm not a fruit in the beer type drinker but on a hot day I'd reach for this over a peach tea. The ABV is great, since it doesn't eat up much beer credits. I can't see having this regularly, but it might be something I offer at bbqs in the summer. Not bad.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 20:06:09 | More by sjones5045

Gibonow

California

2.84/5  rDev -21.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

This tasted surprisingly weak considering the smell. The peach smell was strong and powerful and also suggested the beer would be sweet. In reality, the taste was tart and very light. Very un-dogfish head.

My biggest complaint is the after taste, which was almost non-existent. It left a watery, cleaner-type taste behind, especially towards the end. I attribute this to the quick loss of carbonation. I would also describe it as dry, with high acidity.

As for the good, this is an easy beer to drink. I'd pick this one for a hot day outside because it's so light.

Enjoyed this from a tulip. 12oz for $3.49

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 03:30:28 | More by Gibonow

GossageBrewery

Missouri

4.23/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25

Poured this Berliner Weissbier from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. This ale poured a hazy yellow color, produced an average white head, featured nice retention, just a little lacing left on the glass. The aroma of this ale was very nice, bursting with fresh peach nectar, some suggestions of malted wheat. Medium bodied, this ale features a baseline of malted wheat, that gives way to a sour peach nectar, and Granny Smith Apples. The favorite part of this beer, for me, is the sour bite you get about midway through, that sour bite gives way to a dry finish that leaves you ready for the next sip. Very nice session beer, would be a great summer beer- Thanks Dogfish, another winner! Prost!

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2013 18:54:04 | More by GossageBrewery

KingSlayer

Mexico

3.78/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bought a bottle from a local pub, the bottle sticker caught my eye.
At first i was expecting a sweet syrupy peach beer, high on carbonation and somewhat cider like appearence. i was wrong (thank god).

A: Poured a mango yellow hazy liquid, semitranslucent. poured very conservatively so little to no head formed, nonetheless a white loose foam ring formed on top, no lacing,

S: peaches and flowers, dont expect sweetness, its more like a tart, crisp, acid like smell, but pleasant. reminds me of an extra dry champagne or white fruity dry wine.

T: faithful representation of its pleasant bouquet. peaches without being overwhelming, green apple undertones. again reminds me of a dry white wine, no syrup or sweetness.

M: light body, active strong carbonation but not excessively strong. little tart.

O: fizzy refreshing dry peach beer. appeared more like an extra dry peach wine for me except for the lower abv of course. a pleasant experience. Definitively worth trying but not really my type of beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 05:56:48 | More by KingSlayer

williamjbauer

West Virginia

3.75/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottled served in a weizen glass

A - slightly murky pale straw with a 3 finger very bubbly white head and average head retention and poor lacing.

S - peaches obviously with mellow wheat notes

T - moderately tart green apple open to be filled of aromatic sour white peaches, a relaxed wheat backbone is finished with a smooth floral acidic finish, almost like a white wine.

M - light body, moderate carbonation, crisp, wet.

O - a really neat light fruity beer that captures the character of peaches without being obnoxious. This would be a nice summer beer to share with friends that don't care for more bitter beers. Haven't tried too many of this style, but I looking forward to it.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2012 20:49:21 | More by williamjbauer

Guden

Maryland

4/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A- White grape juice in color with great clarity, a few carbonation bubbles and a small white head that fades leaving behind a few bubbles.

S- Peach (obviously) with the sweet juiciness coming through as well as some honey, leaves and again a white grape quality.

T- Again juicy peach leads the way with a slight puckering sourness and some candy sweetness.

M- Medium bodied and medium in carbonation. Work out very well making the beer feel juicy without being watery or lifeless. The mouthfeel is actually quite full for a 4.5% abv beer and considering the amount of fruit it does well to not have a white wine quality.

O- I had this beer once at the brewery and really enjoyed it, it seems that some time in the bottle has made this seem a little less bright and refreshing but it still holds a lot of juicy peach flavors.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2012 23:26:38 | More by Guden

tectactoe

Michigan

2.98/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3

Pours a bright, golden-yellow color. A bit cloudy and hazy with a bright white head that dissipates rather quickly. The nose hits with a soft peach smell and a bit of chalkiness. The taste first hits with some malts, corn, grains, and wheat, and about halfway through, the fruit starts to take over. Peachy sweetness engulfs the palette, along with some white grape, apple, and a slight touch of cherry. In fact, near the end, I could swear I was tasting more apple than peach. The middle and aftertaste are very tart and tangy, almost inducing a pucker. Almost no bitterness to this brew at all. Medium to high carbonation with a medium body leaves a crispy, refreshing finish.

A nice warm-weather type beer, crisp and refreshing. Although, this beer tastes a little too much like it could be hard cider. Definitely not bad, but a little too tart and sweet for me.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2012 11:46:39 | More by tectactoe

BilbosNuts

California

3.9/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass.

A: Pours a clear, straw yellow color with a small, rocky head that dissipates quickly. A small amount of carbonation is visible, giving off a not-so-still appearance.

S: Smells exactly like a fuzzy peach. Pretty spectacular. A bit of a puckering aroma along with a slight earthiness.

T: Tart and slightly sour peaches dominate. Pretty much an exact replica of the aroma.

M: Light bodied with just enough carbonation to tingle the palate. A crisp, and somewhat puckering finish cleanse the palate.

O: This is one of my go-to summer brews. Very refreshing for a hot summer day. The fantastic representation of peaches never disappoints. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2012 02:25:19 | More by BilbosNuts

brewcore

South Carolina

3.33/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle into a tulip.

A: Hazy, straw yellow in color. Yields a two finger creamy, white head that dissipates rather quickly into a thin ring around the glass. Lots of carbonation rises up the glass that lasts throughout the session. Very little lacing.

S: A sweet peach tartness that seems to promise a sour bite. Wheat mustiness.

T: Not as much sour as the nose suggests. This berliner is only slightly sour and more on the barely tart side. Starts slightly tart. Canned peaches in the middle. FInishes with wheat.

M: Moderate mouthfeel. Fairly creamy for a 4.5% beer. Moderate to high carbonation. Very easy drinking and very refreshing.

O: A very easy drinking berliner. Probably the only one I have found that I could drink as a session. However, it is not exactly as tart as I expect. I have had this one before and would definitely seek it out again.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2012 22:09:45 | More by brewcore

Hoagie1973

New York

3.35/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours light lemony yellow. Slightly hazy with a one-finger white fizzy head.

Smell has a hint of yeast, a touch of grassiness and a load of peach sweetness.

Wow. Tartness is out of control. It's downright sour. However it's not too bad, definitely not the artificial syrupy sweet fruit beer I was expecting. Pretty balanced overall with a spicy crispness in the finish.

Mouthfeel is crisp and thin.

I could see drinking a few of these on a hot day for a change of pace.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2012 22:49:30 | More by Hoagie1973

Pexkool

Mexico

3.83/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a 2 finger white head, leaving a thin lace that sticks to the glass. The color is a murky golden yellow.

S - Peach juice, a little bit of honey and hoppy spiciness. A hint of something sour, like a peach juice that is slightly past its due date and has started to ferment.

T - Tartness and a somewhat lactic flavor; the peach hits you as you swallow the beer down. Citric notes are also present, I believe thanks to the hops. Some malts are present in the aftertaste.

M - Definitely tarty, but not overwhelming. It goes down a little bit too smoothly, almost like water, which makes it highly drinkable.

Overall, I enjoyed it a lot! An excellent beer for the summer. I would definitely have it again and would seek it and recommend it the next time I buy it (the next summer, perhaps?). Also, like I said, being highly drinkable you could have a whole 4 pack in a single session, after a good meal or just to cool down in a hot afternoon (it's entirely possible thanks to its low IBU and lower ABV).

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2012 03:58:56 | More by Pexkool

Jadjunk

Georgia

3.95/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Dogfish Head's Festina Pêche is a Berliner Weisse brewed with peach concentrate. According to the label, "Festina Pêche is a neo-Berliner style Weisse fermented with peach juice. This unique, tart and refreshing brew is so down with the dog days of summer." I scored a 40% discount on two packs of this popular summer seasonal at the Smokerise Bottle Shoppe yesterday. Regular 4-pack price is commonly $8.99.

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle to my Dogfish Head Signature glass. Served in the low 40º's Fahrenheit.

(Appearance) An aggressive pour yields a thick, somewhat foamy, somewhat crisp bright white head. It recedes at an average pace, thickening to a creamier and lumpier texture as it settles. The body color is certainly Berliner-Weiss style- a pale murky yellow with lots of carbonation, some haziness and perhaps a touch of a peachy orange hue adds some dimension to the color. Overall the appearance is nice and the head quality isn't bad either. This looks to be a nice Berliner Weiss. 4

(Smell) The nose gathers significant amounts of that peachy concentrate, like a light syrup, but there's some pure peachy flavor, fuzzy rind and all that makes me think twice about giving the "concentrate" label a thumbs down. Peach is certainly the dominant flavor in this beer, largely overshadowing the pale wheat characteristics. A small trace of tartness lingers in the aroma, a bit less than anticipated but still enjoyable. Potency is high and balance is decent, although there is little else to discern in the beer besides the peach and a small touch of tart wheat. Overall, a nice peachy flavored wheat beer, and the aroma is inviting should you like peach-forward beers. 3.5

(Taste) Tart wheat and fresh peach front and body with and a growing light syrup sweetness throughout the drink. The tartness is enjoyable; enough to bring some originality and flavor dimension to the drink without taking away from the peach flavor, which stands strong on its own. All flavors work well together, and the beer has very low hop presence. Drinkability is high as the gravity is low and the beer neither swings too sweet nor tart. Very tasty brew overall. 4

(Mouthfeel) Medium-textured mouthfeel with some light carbonation. The peachy tartness helps round out the slight thickness of the wheat malt, and the alcohol presence is very low to none. Body is medium for the style, low overall; I allude the heightened body to the fuller wheat presence and the peach concentrate which filled the beer with flavor, followed through with a very dry finish. It's not a palate drainer, however and is quite the drinkable brew. The texture is quite enjoyable, although a heightened carbonation texture may help bring out some more of the flavor and pair better with the tartness. Just a notch, though. 3.5

(Overall) Considering that Berliner Weiss beers are still far and few, I find this to be one of my favorite American interpretations of the growing style. The tartness and wheat body are full and flavorful and the peach concentrate adds tons of flavor without sacrificing drinkability. All in all, the only downer is the 4 packs that the beer is released in, making this otherwise sessionable brew harder to come by. I plan on making this a regular summer buy, as it's one of my favorite Berliner Weissbiers to date, and I'm glad I have a handful more of these to enjoy! 4.5

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery's
Festina Pêche
3.95/5.00

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2012 03:56:43 | More by Jadjunk

travolta

California

3.88/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Brilliant white, whipped cream head. "White ale" in color. A two finger head with spotted lacing.

Nose: Soft peach fruit, banana, peach blossoms, mild and soft pineapple, slightly bread.

Taste: Peachy bitterness, ascorbic acid, dry and active carbonation. Peach lingers on the palate, lambic bitterness, little citrus pinch.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2012 00:30:17 | More by travolta

tjsjostrom

Virginia

4.58/5  rDev +26.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The Festina Peche is a very light yet snappy beer. The peach immediately jumps out when you are smelling it. I had this beer literally after mowing my yard, and it smelled like 12oz of heaven. The beer has a very light feel (I would compare it to the feel of a half-breed of beer and champagne). While the beer tastes good, it is decisively peach and I could only have one or two before I had to move onto something else.

When visiting a Dogfish Head Alehouse, I was given the recommendation to mix the Festina Peche with their 90 Minute IPA. This is perhaps the wisest thing I have ever done, and my wife greatly appreciated it. For most people that do not drink a lot of IPA, they are turned off by the "excessive" hop taste (Being from Seattle, I do not think there is a such thing). With mixing in the Festina Peche, it cut away at the "excessive hop flavor" without taking away from the essence of the IPA. It was easy on the palette yet went down like an IPA. I liked it so much I got a growler filled with 2/3 90 Minute IPA and 1/3 Festina Peche.

Serving type: growler

09-05-2012 02:41:44 | More by tjsjostrom

vfgccp

New York

3.58/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Light, hazy banana body. Off-white head with ok retention and low lace.

S - Fantastic nose. Bright, fresh, crisp, tart white peach.

T - Mirrors the nose with crisp, tart, effervescent white peach.

M - Light and refreshing.

O - Crisp tart flavors push the profile over the safety line of common summer brews and I'm glad for it.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2012 15:29:13 | More by vfgccp

gottabetweed

Texas

4.75/5  rDev +30.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a tulip glass. Poured a hazy yellow with a nice head that dissipated rather quickly

Strong smell of peach, lemon, and beer. The smell of this beer concentrated in the tulip glass makes my mouth water. Very intrigued.

Taste is sour with a very upfront peach taste. Some lemon. Man I love the taste. This beer is delicious!

Mothfeel is medium. Aftertaste fade to a peachy goodness.

Overall a great beer. I think peach is my favorite fruit flavor for a beer and this beer has inspired me to try some peach lambics. Just a great summertime brew! Gracias Dogfish!

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2012 03:34:30 | More by gottabetweed

B0BZ1LLA

3/5  rDev -17.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - 2 inch head that disappears quickly, straw color

S - bread, peach

T - bubblegum, tart, wine-like

M - sweet, dry

I'm not too familiar with the Berliner Weissbier style. I'm a big fan of lambics, oud bruins and the like. I didn't find it quite as refreshing as other reviewers.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2012 03:21:00 | More by B0BZ1LLA

socon67

New York

3.5/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Orange pour with a high white foam. Cloudy appearance, with some carbonation noted.

S - Scent of fresh grains, and fresh fruit. The scent is peaches is very faint.

T - A light flavored wheat beer that has a sweet flavor of fruit. A good summer beer, the taste of light grain and sugary fruit is refreshing. The distinction of peaches is not really there.

M - Very drinkable and sessionable. Slightly carbonated and light bodied.

O - Not a beer I'd seek out again. There ar eother peach flavored beers I prefer more (RJ Rockers Son of the Peach and CCB Peach Jai-Alai).

Serving type: on-tap

08-26-2012 15:03:34 | More by socon67

Minkybut

Virginia

3.13/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I poured this oddball brew into my tumbler at 45 degrees and watched a big white creamy head appear. Then I watched the big white creamy head go away! The beer was cloudy unfiltered looking and very blond. Extreme sour peach taste blows the taste buds away, but not really in a bad way. It certainly is different and I'm sure that was the intent. Pretty decent for a taste chance on a hot summer day. Make sure the beer is colder than 45.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2012 19:42:12 | More by Minkybut

wethorseblanket

California

3.63/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a hazy lemony yellow with a 1-inch white head which fades to a thin cap and around the rim. Leaves a few spots of lace.

N: Nice bright lemony peaches, yeast, wheat grains with some floral notes.

T: Mildly tart peach juice with lemons, wheat and yeast. Fairly one dimensional.

M: A bit thin with a light body and some prickly carbonation. Finishes like a watery peach tart.

O: Very refreshing on a warm afternoon. Easy drinking. The peach aroma is good.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2012 02:23:59 | More by wethorseblanket

vicsju1991

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle into pint glass
A - kind of opaque almost lemonade coloured head dissipates quickly
S - straight up peaches
T - kinda tart, mostly tastes liek seltzer water with peahc flavour
M - crisp clean smooth
O - good beer, but for the price and it being dfh, a little annoying

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2012 00:30:19 | More by vicsju1991

peensteen

Ontario (Canada)

3.58/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Lightly haze pale blonde colour, one finger of white head with some lace. Smell is heavy on sweet peaches, a bit like a fuzzy peach gummy with some lemon, malts and acidic apple notes. Taste is quite peachy and lightly tart, some fruity apple and lemon flavours, a little malty-straw points with more peach in finish. Medium carbonation, light-medium body nice mouthfeel. Not bad and fairly easy drinking but that being said one was good for me, while something I could drink I probably wont be buying much of this.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2012 16:48:03 | More by peensteen

Lawl3ss

Texas

3.23/5  rDev -11%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Chilled 12 oz. bottle poured into a weizen pint. Bottling date 7.23.2012.

Look- Pours a clear straw/pale gold with four fingers of effervescent white head that falls to a fairly dense cap within a minute or so and fades completely after three. No lace.

Smell- Pilsener like malt, bready with a sharp acidic bite in the background. Mild sweetness, apricot perhaps. Swirling brings out a sharper lemony aroma, but it never really smells like peach.

Taste- Interesting. Tastes like peach-flavored fig newtons steeped in white wine. Definite graininess, jam-like carmelized tart fruit. Finishes pretty clean, faint lingering tartness.

Mouthfeel- Medium-full body, chewy. Feels like dry syrup, if that exists. Perhaps reduced white wine would be a better analogy. Mild astringency on the back end, decent pucker. Nearly flat. More substantial than suspected, I really would have liked this to be lighter feeling. One bottle was more than enough

Overall- Well marketed to the American Summer crowd, but it's not really working for me, although Berliner weissbers aren't generally my cup of tea, so take my rating with a grain of salt. Not particularly light or refreshing, and I'm not getting much peach, although I applaud DFH for trying. Perhaps I'm spoiled by Jester King's Bonnie the Rare.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 01:51:09 | More by Lawl3ss

BlackBelt5112203

South Carolina

4.2/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured into a pint glass at fridge-cellar temperature.

L – Slightly hazy straw color with a 2-finger white bubbly head. Pretty good retention but no lacing. A decent amount of carbonation bubbles.

S – Grainy wheat, peaches, and green apple Lactobacillus acidity.

T – Sour all the way through with green apple tartness. Grainy wheat malt and peach notes shine through at the end.

F – Light-to-medium-bodied with decent carbonation, a sticky and puckering mouthfeel, and a very dry finish. Tartness and dryness both linger for a nice amount of time.

O – This is a really good beer. It’s an awesome introduction to Berliner weissbiers. It is perfectly tart and not overwhelmingly sour at all. Very tasty, drinkable, and refreshing. Perfect for the summer.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2012 02:14:11 | More by BlackBelt5112203

allengarvin

Texas

4.13/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This pours a very bright, very light gold color with a creamy half-inch head. Peaches come through very clearly in the nose--with nothing else detectable. Flavor is very nice though! I am very happy it's not overly sweet. In fact, despite the pear flavor, there's no accompanying sweetness really. It's very well-attenuated with a nice lactic tartness. A really delightfully refreshing beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2012 23:12:49 | More by allengarvin