Peaches & Crème - Short's Brewing Company

orangesol

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to Deuane yet again for this one. A 750ml bottle, #290/820 from 2007

A - Pours hazy copper orange with a nice pillow of one finger tall off-white head leaving spotty lacing down the glass.

S - Smells of tons of ripe peaches, creamy milk, vanilla, and some lactic sweetness. How there is this much peach aroma after five years is beyond me.

T - Starts off with a big peachy kick in the teeth slowly giving way to a creamy smooth core with hints of vanilla and even more lactic sweetness. A tiny bit of oxidation creeps in at the very last moment but it is to be expected here. The alcohol is hidden VERY well, I had no idea this was 9.5% at all. The finish is pretty sweet with a tiny hint of dryness, lingering for a short period of time.

M - Medium body and flavor with moderate carbonation. Smooth, juicy, goodness in the feel with a slight bit of oxidation creeping in toward the end.

O - This is five years old? Could have fooled me. There is still PLENTY of peaches lurking inside this one. I have had some bad experiences with Short's beers recently that have really turned me off them but when you try something like this one it all seems to make sense again. Great beer, thanks again Deuane!

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2011 00:08:13 | More by orangesol

MasterSki

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle shared by Jason - part of his WW5 haul. Served in a tulip glass.

A - Loads of orange-tinged foam that settles to a full cap, splotchy lace, and a hazy orange-red body.

S - Peaches! Some lactose sweetness, sweet grains, and light oxidation that isn't totally unexpected for a 5-year-old beer.

T - Taste is a bit less good - peaches are more restrained and oxidation and a strange bitterness appears to have crept in. Lactose and generic malt sweetness prevail mostly. This was better when I last had it.

M - Smooth texture, medium body and carbonation, and some tannic pulpy fruit character in the finish. Alcohol is shockingly well-hidden - I didn't realize this was 9.5%!

D - Still holding up reasonably well for a 2006 fruit beer. If it weren't for the mild oxidation this would be pretty fantastic stuff. Hope Shorts makes it again at some point. Quite drinkable for something so sweet and strong.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2011 15:42:53 | More by MasterSki

psiweaver

Washington

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

shared by bgramer at his epic 40th birthday tasting.

A-Copper colored almost like peach juice that was filterted. with a soft foamy head that slowly dissolves into thick white lacing.

S-Super peachy goodness with a ton of peach smell. I've never smelt a peach beer with anywhere close to this amount of peach pizzaz to it. Followed up with a creamy vanilla type scent. delicious

T-More and more peach. I'm shocked at how much peach flavored was packed into this beer. a creamy flavor follows with a hint of lactic peach kick at the end. delicious

M- nicely bodied with a perfect amount of carbonation. This beer was very drinkable and tasty

O- Overall a great beer that is one of the Short's beers that seems better done. Very delicious.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2011 21:48:35 | More by psiweaver

Deuane

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to corby112 for cracking out this one.

A-Hazy copper kissed orange with a thick and foamy off-white head that slowly reduced to a dense cap and left thick swaths of lace behind.

S-Who let me loose in the orchard? Massive, ripe peach goodness melds with creamy sweet lactose and vanilla syrup topping. How can this with years of age on it retain so much aroma?

T-BAM! More of the same on the palate with a James and the GIANT peach pounding your tongue! Sweet cream and vanilla adds complexity and balance with just a hint of lactic twang in the background.

M-Medium bodied (more than I had anticipated) with a semi-syrupy, ooey gooey sticky texture, akin to a liquefied peach cobbler. Juicy and rich without becoming overwhelming.

D-Damn! Joe does it again with a crazy combo and comes out on top! This one has some serious age on it and it still is amazing. I can only imagine how awesome this one would have been fresher. Peaches and Creme is a no holds barred, lactose laden, fruit barrage that takes no prisoners!

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2011 20:39:22 | More by Deuane

Hojaminbag

Colorado

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Short's peaches and cream pours a hazy orange colored body with a dirty white head. The head is thick and the retention is substantial. Lots of lacing left behind on the glass.

Great aroma; I spent a good bit of time sniffing this one before I started to drink it. Fresh peaches mix with something reminiscent of a peaches and cream candy. The background keeps things interesting with just a bit of tartness from lactose.

The flavor starts with fresh peaches, which once again is followed by a flavor that is reminiscent of a peaches and cream candy. Amidst the peach flavors, a solid amount of lactose tartness is noticeable, but it definitely is in a complementary role. Next comes just a hint of woody flavors, and the finish has a substantial amount of pale malts.

The body of this beer is smooth and creamy, but I hesitate just short of calling it full bodied.

There is no trace of alcohol in this beer, not even around the edges or in the finish. I was pretty surprised by the size of the ABV actually. This beer is both unique and tasty.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2011 22:40:37 | More by Hojaminbag

ffejherb

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to corby112 for bringing this 750ml bottle to our tasting on 1/23/11.

A - Poured a hazy coppery orange with a mammoth three-finger wall of beige foam that retained quite well and deposited plenty of frothy, sticky lacing around the glass.

S - Mmmm... fresh, juicy ripe peaches abound with a hint of vanilla/lactose. My first whiff of this beer reminded me of walking into a local "head" shop, only to be greeted by the aroma of incense and patchouli.

T - There's that fresh, juicy peach character again. The pairing peaches and vanilla works extremely well here, creating an intensely flavorful beer that makes the detection of alcohol virtually impossible. This is a sweet beer for sure, but there is just a smidgen of tartness in the backend that adds some depth and prevents this from becoming too overly sweet.

M - Medium bodied that's pushing toward full-figured with a syrupy texture that is actually kind of sticky and juicy. Texture is pretty smooth and creamy overall, though. Finishes with a hint of bitterness and a pleasant wash of tartness on the palate.

D - I was surprised to find that the ABV for this beer was 9.5%! Wow! Peaches & Creme is a delicious fruit beer with an authentic peach flavor and aroma. Melt down a creamsicle, add alcohol, bottle it, and that's what this beer replicates!

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2011 18:23:53 | More by ffejherb

corby112

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Opened at ffejherb's tasting.

Pours a deep dark ruby red color with dark golden amber hues when held to a light source and a two finger frothy off-white head. Excellent retention, only slowly fading into a lasting cap that leaves splotches of soapy lacing behind.

I don't know how Short's does it but they continue to nail down the aroma they are going for in their dessert beers. Slightly spicy aroma with estery light fruit and a lactic cream presence. Hints of peppery spice complimenting the light frut and cream character. Lots of peach but also hints of apricot and apple. They were after peaches and cream and this beer surprisingly smells just like that.

Medium bodied with tight carbonation up front along with zesty, peppery spice, crisp light fruit, phenolic alcohol and lactic cream. A bit spicier than the aroma suggests with hints of corriander, clove and pepper. Lots of light fruit especially peach and apricot. Fuller bodied than expected with the lactic creaminess adding to the complexity qnd mouthfeel. I was hoping that this would be more of a sweeter dessert beer but it is more subtle than expected. It tastes more like a spicy Belgian ale with lacto added.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2011 01:54:32 | More by corby112

koopa

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I brought this one up to the Hill Farmstead release last weekend and shared it with several BA's.

Appearance: Pours (small gush) a hazy peach to amber color (big surprise!) with minimal crown / retention / lace.

Smell: Peaches and sweet cream (as advertised ;)

Taste: Same as nose. While it is sweet (as just about every other review on this site indicates) I must say the sweetness seems slightly reduced compared to how this one drank fresh about 1.5 years ago. I prefer it now.

Mouthfeel: On the light side of heavy bodied...full mouthfeel with moderate carbonation.

Drinkability: Not the best...definitely a good 750ml to share with friends!

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2010 12:20:57 | More by koopa

kingcrowing

Vermont

4/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle poured into a wine glass.

Pours a nice dark amber color with a nice thick deep amber color. Nose is fruity and fresh, lots of peaches.

Taste is well, peaches and cream. It's really sweet so you don't want to drink a whole bottle but it's great to split. It's got a nice full mouthfeel easy drinking.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2010 16:59:36 | More by kingcrowing

womencantsail

California

3.95/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Jer for sharing this one.

A: The pour is a light golden amber color with a fluffy and sticky white head on it.

S: Quite a bit of sweetness to the nose with definite peach aroma and plenty of sweet cream as well. A tad artificial and candy-like, but not bad.

T: This is a very sweet beer. Lots of sugar (lactose) and peach flavoring, along with a definite creaminess. The peaches actually have a somewhat authentic flavor, which was surprising.

M: The body is medium but there is a sensation of some undissolved sugar on the tongue--strange.

D: Short's strikes again with another inventive beer. I liked this one quite a bit, but after awhile, the sweetness starts to get to you.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2010 21:21:09 | More by womencantsail

Gobzilla

California

4.1/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml shared by jerz at woodshop 5.1

poured a brownish orange with yellow highlights and athin head that left good sticky lacing. Its definitely big on the peach aroma that has a lot of sugar sweetness with orange esters and a faint cream smell. There is slight berries and faint maltiness in the background. Very nice peach punch flavor up front with crisp wheat taste and slight cherries. The beer was light to medium body with a good amount of carbonation and a sweet crisp finish.
I think this beer drank well considering how sweet it was. This would be an ideal dessert beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2010 17:55:46 | More by Gobzilla

waltonc

Colorado

4.13/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I should have saved this for a hot summer day, instead of a spring day filled with thunderstorms...Oh well, still quite delicious. Pours hazy golden orange with massive white head. Smell and taste are dominated by sweet peaches. Definitely some lactose sugar character in here that creates a nice creamy mouthfeel to compliment all those peaches. Fairly sweet flavor, slightly tart but from the fruit rather than bugs (unlike the unintended flavors of some more recent Shorts vintages). Medium bodied with a shitload of carbonation. My only ding is this is a little high on the alcohol for the flavor profile, preventing it from qualifying as a "refreshing peach beverage." But I guess I should buy some Riunite if that's what I was looking for. Overall, quite good, Wish I opened this on a sunny hot summer day. Wish I had more.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2010 00:02:23 | More by waltonc

Georgiabeer

Georgia

4.97/5  rDev +25.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This beer was shared by Grant from his cellar- thanks Grant! I was blown away by how good this was- far superior to what I expected. It's like they captured the essence of the most perfect peach in a bottle- I was just floored after tasting it. I've always liked Short's beers, but I expected something lighter, and frankly- more frivolous. The laser-like peach flavors just keep coming and coming. It's a knock-out. Quite bitter, with peaches and peach skins and some nice tannins backing everything up. Very deep ripe peach flavors. The flavors are enhanced by the wonderful aroma of a perfectly ripe peach that has just been bitten into- sweet juice, sweet-tart flesh, and nicely bitter skin. Not over the top, and tastes 100% natural. A nice creaminess on the finish rounds things out nicely. It's a pretty beer as well, pouring a ruddy orange with a very nice white, creamy head that fades in due course, but leaves behind some nice lacing. A revelation.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2010 17:27:44 | More by Georgiabeer

Ineedabeerhere

Connecticut

3.25/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Thanks for sharing this one, Chris!

Lots of head after an aggressive pour atop a hazy peachy-orange brew.

Sweet canned peaches aroma, some spice and just general creamsicle sweetness. Same kind of flavors going on in the taste. The first sip or two, I thought I really liked this, but as time went on and my glass warmed, it became a bit of a chore. A little tangy-ness in the taste. Fanta? Sweet and creamy mouthfeel, it's like peach cobbler but without the crust. Kind of too sweet and a bit much after a while. Medium carbonation and decent substance of the mouthfeel try to help, but this would be best shared in 4oz servings or less. Alcohol is well integrated, though.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2010 03:19:55 | More by Ineedabeerhere

emerge077

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First sample of this was at the Great Taste '08. I remembered liking it, and only recently had the chance to get a bottle from Shorts. Thanks Jay!

Review is from notes.

It pours a murky dark orange with copious floaties. Fairly good color and retention, but the soupy look isn't so hot.

A slightly musty, peachy nose, probably fading from when it was fresh. Still, the peach aroma is pleasant.

Creamy, slight oxididation, tart peach flesh with an accompanying woody bitterness of the peach pit itself. Dry bitter aftertaste. Sweet and effervescent, full bodied. Overall the peach flavor is nice, and I think this was a successful beer, but 2 years seems too long to have sat in the bottle. It may be starting to deteriorate a little. That said, i'll be looking for this if it's ever released again.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2010 01:52:21 | More by emerge077

webmanspidey

Michigan

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

I picked up a few of these special edition Short's while in northern Michigan last summer. This is the first I'm trying. Eruption upon opening, always hate to see that happen. Poured into a large snifter, this is a cloudy copper/orange color with a solid couple inches of head. Very foamy.

Intense sweet smell, reminiscent of a creamsicle. Loads of sugar and fresh peaches. The lactose definitely comes out. One of the more unique smelling beers I've tried.

Taste is dominated by the peaches, ranging from candy-like sweet to tart and sour. Alcohol is masked fairly well, but this is definitely on the higher end of the spectrum. Thick, creamy mouthfeel.

This is a very interesting and unique beer, and definitely recommended.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2010 01:08:15 | More by webmanspidey

Jwale73

Rhode Island

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

Thanks to Thirstybird for cracking this one open. Poured a hazy, burnt orange with a half inch, creamy, off-white head embedded with tiny ringlets - pretty good retention and the head was refreshed with each swirl. Nose is peaches, perhaps white grapes; definitely fermented fruit. Peaches definitely come out in the flavor profile, but I found it a little harsh and hot. Mouthfeel is medium-bodied; some heat and a rugged carbonation. A little too much of a kick in the teeth and lacking some of the subtleties of the style. It smooths out a little towards the back, but I didn't love it.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2009 01:36:00 | More by Jwale73

heliosphann

Indiana

3.85/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

750ml capped bottle. Forgot to write down the bottle #. Served in a Bell's tulip. Shared with some fellow BA's.

A: Finger of yellow head. Cloudy orange with ample sediment. Some bubbly lacing.

S: Intense candied peaches. Very sweet and oh so very delicious smelling. I think it made me hungry a little bit.

T: This beer certainly lives up to it's name, big peachy flavor with some lactose sugar sweetness. There's a slight bit of tartness and some nice creamy malt component. Not really all that complex, but it certainly delivers.

M: Thin body with good carbonation. I think the beer overall would be a lot better if the body was thicker.

D: 9.5% ABV is virtually undetectable. I had a decent serving and it was plenty enough. The sharp sweetness would make it hard to drink a lot of this.

Shorts never ceases to amaze me what they can do with fruited beer and odd ingredients. Peaches & Creme is a very interesting beer to say the least, and well worth a try. I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way to try it again, but I wouldn't turn it down.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2009 21:37:18 | More by heliosphann

srandycarter

California

4.1/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Murky amber, nice, solid off white head, retains for some time. Leaves disk and lots of lace.

S - Bright fresh malt, citrus.

T - Malty, but mostly creamy. Really creamy.

M - As I said, really creamy. Round flavors, bitter battles sweet well.

D - Too creamy for me, in general. Nice to try.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2009 03:16:31 | More by srandycarter

ClockworkOrange

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle # 331 of 820. Thanks to Deuane for bringing this back from MI for me. A capped 750ml bottle poured into my Selin's Grove 10th Anniversary wine glass. The ale appears a hazy, particle filled deep amber color with a healthy looking two fingers of light ecru colored foam. The head lingers for a bit, leaving a thin lace in it's wake. Nose and flavor consist of sweet, yet tart and slightly sour peaches, peach puree, peach cream of wheat cereal, evaporated and/or condensed milk sweetness, brown sugar coated peaches, a pleasant bitterness comes through in the finish. The lactose coats the mouth and tongue. Notes of apricot brandy come out as the ale warms. Very smooth and drinkable. The 9.5 ABV is nowhere to be found. This one is holding up quite well. Thanks again D!

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2009 03:17:01 | More by ClockworkOrange

JohnGalt1

Idaho

4.05/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Another big ole' 750 shipped to me by kbeals.. I'm lovin' Kevin right now... Shared this at a great tasting at ditmier's house.. This was a borderline geyser.. thankfully almost no beer was wasted ;-)

Very.... VERY... careful pour revealed a hazed deep golden brew with a pretty significant head and great cap...

Nose of course has a bunch of fresh peachiness out of the gate... some sweetness helps magnify the fruity aromas.. "real" peach on the palate.. the milk sugars magnify the fruits.. yummy.. maybe a bit boozy on the back.. pretty damn carbonated .. probably too much.. but once it's cracked, just give it a good swirl in your glass and the mouthfeel comes more in line.

One of the most interesting beers I've had in a long time.. the lactose works incredibly well with the big peach flavors and seems somehow to be sorta pushed forward but the ample alcohol.

Very glad I got to try this one.. and even more happy I got to share it with the Boise crowd.. There is no way I would buy this that often.. but I can see having it with some summer desserts.... Thanks Kevin...

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2009 01:47:55 | More by JohnGalt1

FtownThrowDown

Ohio

4.08/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a cloudy copper in color. Plenty of floaties suspended in the beer. Very nice two inches of head on the pour.
Smell is juicy, ripe peaches with a little lactose cream on the backend. Plenty of peach flavor in the taste. Very nice, damn near perfect carbonation. This is a very good beer. Short's needs to do these Anniversary beers again.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2009 03:26:32 | More by FtownThrowDown

pwoods

Ohio

4.47/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks again to FtownThrowDown for sharing this.

A: Murky dark amber. Good head with some decent retention. Nice lacing.

S: Peaches and cream, big time and amazing. Pleasant sweetness but not over done.

T/M: Peaches and cream, obviously. Delicious. Sweet, juicy peaches at first with a rich cream coming in at the back. More of the pleasant sweetness. A bit of richer malts in the back. Body is medium full and smoothand creamy as he'll.

D: Too damn smooth for 9.5%. Awesome.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2009 03:21:27 | More by pwoods

CoolJosh

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 750mL bottle into a Tulip.

Pours a glowing copper orange with ample haze. There is carbonation running wild through the body of this beer. Softly on top sits a light corn yellow, which leaves a slight trail of lacing.

Smells like a bushel of freshly picked Georgia Peaches. Really creamy to, reminds me of one of those creamsavers that Lifesavers used to make. Some acidity to go along with the lemon scent.

Tastes is full blown natural peach, not that artificial kind that some wise guys use in their homebrews, just sayin'... Very sweet and a little bit grainy. There are some orange flavors embedded in the complexion as well. Tons of sweet caramel and the acetic acid really gives it a bite. This beer is over carbonated which gives it an unattractive bite, detracting from some of the creamy flavors. This beer is a little bit too sweet and alcoholic for me which becomes a hinderance in the drinkability section.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2009 02:39:45 | More by CoolJosh

treyrab

Pennsylvania

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

A huge thanks goes out to my man Derek for this beer. I've been eying this beer up for two years and finally got to try it! Much appreciated!

A: Pours a hazy brick orange with a large, creamy and frothy orange tinted head. The head was rather large in the glass with an aggressive pour. Two glasses yielded a two finger head, the other yielded a four finger head.

S: The smell was absolute bliss with sweet, peach jam/jelly, fresh peach puree, candied peaches with sugar, and a nice caramel/toffee back. The smell was like no other beer I have encountered and was delightful.

T: One of the most interesting and different beers I have ever had. Sweet peach jelly, candied/dried peaches and a great caramel back. On the end some alcohol creeps through but doesn't distract from the amazing flavors of the beer.

M/D: The carbonation I thought was a touch high, but by no means displeasing. The flavors are so strong, unique and fruity that I drank this slow and cherished it. I think this would be just as good, if not better in a few years.

Thanks again Derek!

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2009 17:32:20 | More by treyrab