Peaches & Crème - Short's Brewing Company

tpd975

Florida

4.3/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Big thanks to OHLRangers.

A: Pours a nice light amberish hue with a light white head.

S: Peach, peach, and more peach. Very peachy with subtle notes of fresh cream. Light wheat notes, a touch of tart.

T: Very much peach mostly sweet, but there is a very subtle tart element in the taste as well. Dried apricots make an appearence with a nice milky creamy quality. Fruity, malty, creamy, good!

M: Rather light to be honest, sort of snappy carbonation.

D: Not bad, I really liked this one.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2009 03:05:35 | More by tpd975

younger35

Minnesota

3.73/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Received this brew in a trade with sarcastro. I really love how Short's is brewing some of these crazy unique brews. This will be my seventh of the Imperial series. Drank from my Stone India Pale Ale tulip.

High Gravity Golden Ale fermented with lactose and fresh peaches
Date Brewed: 4/25/07
Batch No: 301
Date Bottled: 3/28&29/07
Non Traditional Ingredients: Lactose, Peaches
Imperial Beer 12 of 13
Bottle Number 333 of 820

Appearance- Pours a dark golden peach with a HUGE three finger lightly tan head that seems to be growing. A fantastic one finger creamy head is maintained for the entire beer as it leaves loads of rings of sticky thick lacing.
Smell- Peaches!! The fresh fruity sweetness of my favorite fleshy produce. Citrusy and tart with a light creamy sweetness. A bit of light caramel malt adds another layer of sweetness. The nose is quite pie like.
Taste- The peach is a bit more muted in the taste than the nose but it's still definitely peachy. Lightly sweet and 'milky' from the lactose and it really helps the peach pop. Maybe a little too sweet but not a deal breaker by any means. Some caramel and toffee tones and an underlying bitterness that is fleeting but noticeable. I don't think I'm a huge fan of Short's 'High Gravity Golden Ale' as this is the 3rd or 4th brew I've had with that as the base and there's something that I don't necessarily like. Could be that these brews have a bit too much age on them. Finishes with a lingering sweetness and more peachy goodness.
Mouthfeel- Fairly heavy with a thick creamy feel and fairly harsh carbonation at first. It settles down rather quickly though.
Drinkability- The peaches are really nice. They're fairly strong and the beer is nice and fruity and interesting. I think the underbelly of the beer isn't my favorite though. It's a little too bitter for what we have going on here. Either way, interesting beer that I did enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2009 03:09:20 | More by younger35

SaucyA

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle 195/820.

A - 1 finger of off-white suds sit atop a hazy, nectarine colored brew in my snifter. Awesome retention. Decent legs. Huge lacing.

S - Peaches! Peaches! I fucking LOVE Peaches! Booze, awesomeness. PEACHES! Slightly spicy/flowery yeast. PEEEEAAACCCHHHESSS! Did I mention I really like peaches?

T - Holy amazing. Big, fresh, juicy peaches. Peach pit. A little bit of fusel alcohol. Semi-tart on the back on some sips and quite sweet on others. The warmth in the tummy is welcomed. Fruity, boozy... truly wonderful. Lactose manages to add a sweet element to the mix that balances what would've been a, seemingly, rather tart brew.

M - Creamy carbonation and hugely thick body. Almost syrupy.

D - As wonderful as this is and as peachy as it is, it still suffers from a rather noticeable ABV and the bigness/sweetness can detract at some points as well. Worth every penny, though.

Notes: I love Short's Brews, if you haven't already noticed. When I first heard about this, it was one of those "have-to-try-it" moments. Glad I had the chance. Between this and Abnormal Genius, it's hard to pick a favorite from the Imperial Series.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2008 00:31:50 | More by SaucyA

Floydster

California

4.5/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

750 ml bottle acquired in a trade with hoppymeal, thanks to Derek for including this in my package, my girlfriend had been wanting to try this for quite some time, split with her and poured into my St. Feuillien snifter tonight

A-Light amber color with some medium orange highlights, huge 2 1/4 inch foamy off white head that stays around for almost ten minutes, great retention, some lacing and legs too
S-Lots of peaches and there better for their being almost ten ounces in each bottle, that is nearly half, also milky cream, lactic acid, mild hoppiness, sugar, sweet malts, and cinnamon cookies
T-All I taste at first is peaches, there are both moderately sweet at tart, which comes from the mixture of the fruit itself and the lactic acid, some sweet and slightly chewy malt in the middle, more milk and peaches in the finish but there is also a desirable dry aftertaste with an acidic feel, gets slightly sweeter as it warms but not as much as I thought it would, this is like nothing I have tasted before, who knew a strong ale could be so fruity and complex with sweetness, by the end there was a nice balance of fruit and malts with that same dry feel finishing things off, quiter enjoyable
M-Acidic, sweet, clean, fruity, and rounded mouthfeel, medium bodied but fairly thick, moderate level of carbonation, taste lingered for close to five minutes and had a nice feel on the tongue
D-This stuff is heavy from all the sugar and that is my main complaint with it, alcohol is hidden moderately but some booze can be detected in the finish, smooth for how sweet it is though, probably could have drank the whole bottle

Bottle #154/820, twelve of thirteen, best beer I have had from the Short's imperial series yet, which is funny because it is one of the brews that I was looking least forward to from it, who would have known five hundred pounds of peaches would have made something taste so good, the high alcohol content has allowed this to age nicely from what I have heard from others, would drink again, recommended

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2008 04:44:51 | More by Floydster

hopdog

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle acquired in trade with hoppymeal (thanks!). Bottle # 155 / 820.

Poured a lighter and cloudy golden / amber color with a smaller sized white head. Aromas of peaches, lactose, caramel, and just like a peach pie. Tastes of peaches, lactose, and vanilla. Had a nice sweetness to it. I usually don't like peaches, but this beer rocked (I found myself wanting more and more with every sip)!

Notes from 3/14/08

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2008 02:18:45 | More by hopdog

sailbretthd

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

poured from a bottle I picked up on summer trip to upper Michigan.
A--beautiful orange glow with decent head that settled into a delicate lace.

S--peaches of course, but not overwhelmingly so.

T--dominant peach taste right away slightly tart, hint of creme and sweetness become apparent just before tart reclaims the aftertaste.

M--clean and astringent

D--regret I only grabbed two of these, but he has so many great beers I had to excercise restraint. This is a great desert beer or evening drink on the patio in summer.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2008 22:42:05 | More by sailbretthd

Crosling

Colorado

3.58/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

750 mL bottle. Great appearance, a bright orange color with a gorgeous head of cream, that lasts very well. Nose smells of peaches and creamWell balanced flavor. Sweet peaches, milk and vanilla notes, with notes of the original beer as well. Very nice ale.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2008 03:45:47 | More by Crosling

Jason

Massachusetts

4.53/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

750mL bottle.

Darker than expected brandishing a tarnished golden color with a stunning clarity. Good frothing and the lacing is amazing. Smells of fresh picked peaches from stem to meat to pit. Light lactose and biscuity malt aroma. Exceptionally smooth with a rolling crispness that feigns a full body, solid medium body is unwavering. Big orchard flavor of macerated peaches with the earthy woodiness of the pits. Slight hop bitterness and peppery warming alcohol help to balance the sweetness of the semi-tart peach flavor and malt character. Toasted biscuit and and earthy yeast trail in the drying finish.

Wow, look at Short's ... bringing the fruit beer to a god like level. A bottle of chaotic goodness. This is a beautiful beer, a strong ale at that and drinkable too boot ... lovey yet dangerous.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2008 02:40:28 | More by Jason

orbitalr0x

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml bottle. #13 of 820.

Pours into my glass a hazy amber orange with a half inch of light tan creamy head on top. Spotty lacing works over the glass as well. Aromas start out with big peach puree that's really vibrant. Creamy, light grainy malts are in there as well. Sort of tart with a mild earthy hop underneath. The real peach aroma here is wonderful though.

First sip brings a peachy, somewhat grainy malt upfront. Tastes like real peach juice and puree. The creamy, lactose notes move in midway through as the beer does a good balancing act between sweetness and bitterness. It flows down with a kiss of hops and spice and finishes off with lingering peach notes. Definitely the most vibrant peach brew I have ever experienced. Alcohol is non-existent in the flavor as well.

Mouthfeel is smooth and medium bodied. Quite a refreshing brew that is on the sweeter side but never becomes too cloying. Overall, an amazing fruit beer that really shows how much using real fruit makes a difference. Shared this with a few friends. Another treat from the Imperial Series.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2008 17:25:53 | More by orbitalr0x

dsigmon

Virginia

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

Bottle #163/820....thanks to hoppymeal!

A: pours a deep amber color with a big pillowy staying off-white head.

S: very dissapointing here, not much going on. a little sweet malt with a touch of the citrus from the peaches...very faint aromas.

T/M: first is a touch of sweet malts followed with a bitter twang and smack in the face from the peaches. the lactose seems to make this beer a nice silky smooth medium body. the carbonation is light and works well with the beer.

D: smooth beer, alcohol is hidden making it easy to drink. this is easier to drink as it warms however the malt and peach sweetness becomes cloying. i like the beer and its great but glad i split this one.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2008 01:49:34 | More by dsigmon

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

4.15/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Pours a hazy, amberish body topped by a small, white head.

Smell: Easily put, it's a lovely aroma of peaches and cream. A joy to smell.

Taste: Sweetish malts upfront, but it soon transitions into the distinct peach flavor mighty quickly. Very, very fruity. Slight spiciness comes and goes. An imagined dash of half-n-half. Warming, lingering finish with a taste of peach schnapps.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, medium-full body. Medium carboantion.

Drinkability: Interesting, to say the least. A very well-constructed fruit beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2008 02:28:04 | More by ChainGangGuy

ATLbeerDog

Georgia

3.98/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours yellow and red, slightly cloudy with a small 1/16 inch head, with average lacing. Average carbonated with a light sweet smell of fruit - peaches mild flowery hops. Tastes sweet with a peach overtone and slight apple taste- light but incredibly balanced with the citrus packed hops. It finishes sweet and light. Decent flavor. I enjoyed this but more than one glass would be too much.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2008 00:46:36 | More by ATLbeerDog

badbeer

Iowa

3.95/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Clear amber color with a white head that had decent lacing and some retention. Peaches, oranges, various tropical aromas, and a little bit of earthy hops in the aroma. Peaches jump out at the tongue first, but hops come into play shortly thereafter. Also had some other citrus/tropical flavors (mango), with a slightly tart finish. Medium carbonation and body, but something just seemed a little missing. Good beer, glad I tried it, but not worth the price tag.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2008 04:02:53 | More by badbeer

BlindPig

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Pours with a huge tan head on a cloudy amber body.
S- Strong fresh peaches. Hints of cream come through but the aroma is really dominated by really fresh peaches and peach juice. Almost smells like a shake or ice-cream.
T- Fresh peaches and cream also come through in the flavor. Strong on the cream IMO. Alcohol warms up back of throat quite a bit too. Quite a big bitterness is left on the tongue too. Maybe hint of grass hops.
M- Medium body with medium/high carbonation.
D- I think it is pretty tasty but not sure how much I can drink of it. I think one glass of this for a desert would be perfect.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2007 18:43:16 | More by BlindPig

hoppymeal

Michigan

4.4/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle #12 of 820, from the label it is a high gravity golden ale brewed with lactose and fresh peaches. Pours peach in color, nice and murky, with a decent sized off white to very light tan head that slowly recedes. Aroma is spot on sweet peaches, there is some citrusiness as well, or perhaps the peach aroma is somewhat citrus like. The milk sugariness is evident in the aroma with a soft cream aroma. Taste is peaches, like eating the fruit, the taste has crossed into the beer very well, the cream is also very evident in the taste as a nice balancer to the peaches. Citrus in the flavor as well. Mouthfeel is where this beer really shines, the peach flavor is accentuated very nicely by an effervescence of carbonation while the milk sugars make for a very soft balance to this effervescence before a somewhat dry and refreshing finish. The sugars also help to contribute to the medium to heavy rich body which does not come across as overly heavy for the fruit keeps it 'light'. This beer is an incredible fruit beer, the peaches and cream come thru very well, almost like eating straight from the bowl. The 9.5% is not evident except for a warmth in the finish. I wouldn't usu age a fruit beer but I am curious as to what a little time will do with this one. Well my third taste of the imperial series and I am very impressed. This is a beer to share with others, for one 750mls of strong peach flavor is difficult and second because it is an extraordinary beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2007 03:50:20 | More by hoppymeal

tectactoe

Michigan

4.21/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

Pours a crystal-like shade of copper and orange, thin, wispy, white head that settles quick but leaves some decent lacing all the way down the glass. The nose on this beer is GREAT. Some fruit/vegetable beers suffer from having aromatics that are oft too artificial; impure, contrived, forced - this beer, however, hits the mark. The peach aroma hits the nose like a fresh peach, picked straight from the tree. No medicinal or chalky tones - very pure and welcomed, but not overpowering or cloying. Some bread-like aromas go hand in hand from the yeast, balancing the nose perfectly.

The taste IS the aroma in flavor form - the mouth follows the nose perfectly, making for a nice hand-in-hand combination from the senses that really makes the beer come alive. Sweet, ripe peaches, crisp carbonation, bread and biscuity yeast, plentiful malts and barley, and balancing woody-earth tones. Some slight warmth from the alcohol, gives the "fruit" beer some meatiness and an extra leg to stand on (as if it needed one). Slightly syrupy, silky feel with a medium body.

I normally do not care for fruit beers, oftentimes because the "fruit" element isn't done properly. But this beer hits a homerun as far as fruit beer goes. This is the benchmark for how this style should be done. Powerful, but not dominant; smooth and pure. Watch out, at an almost unnoticeable 9.5% ABV, this beer will kick your ass.

Serving type: on-tap

11-21-2012 12:51:12 | More by tectactoe