Why Blue Mountain Brewery's Drink a Peach Sour Beer Missed the Mark for Me

When I first heard about Blue Mountain Brewery's Drink a Peach Gose beer, I was intrigued. Gose beers can be a delightful adventure for the palate, offering a refreshing twist on traditional brews. Unfortunately, this particular beer turned out to be one of the worst I have ever tasted. In this review, I will explain why Drink a Peach failed to meet my expectations and why it might not be the right choice for Gose beer lovers seeking a balanced and enjoyable experience.

Score: 0.2

Location: Waynesboro, VA

Appearance and Aroma

At first glance, Drink a Peach presents itself with a bright, hazy golden color that promises a fruity and refreshing drink. The beer pours with a thin, white head that dissipates quickly. The aroma, however, was the first sign of trouble. Instead of a pleasant peach scent or a subtle tartness, the beer gave off an overpowering sour smell that felt almost chemical-like. There was little to no fruitiness detectable, which was disappointing given the name and style.

Taste and Flavor Profile

The taste of Drink a Peach was where the beer truly missed the mark. Gose beers can vary widely, from mildly tart to intensely puckering, but the best ones balance acidity with fruit and malt flavors. This beer leaned heavily into an unpleasant sourness that overwhelmed any other notes. The peach flavor was faint and artificial, failing to complement the sour base. Instead of a refreshing tartness, the beer tasted sharp and almost medicinal. The saltiness of this beer was very overwhelming as well.

Some specific issues I noticed:

• Excessive sourness that felt harsh rather than refreshing

• Artificial peach flavor that lacked depth or natural sweetness

• Thin mouthfeel that made the beer feel watery and unbalanced

• Lingering aftertaste that was sour and slightly bitter, & salty, leaving an unpleasant sensation

  
  

Comparison to Other Sour Beers

To put this into perspective, many sour beers I enjoy strike a balance between tartness and fruitiness. For example, Berliner Weisse styles often have a crisp, clean sourness with bright fruit notes that enhance the experience. Other peach-infused sours tend to highlight the natural sweetness and aroma of the fruit, creating a harmonious blend.

Drink a Peach failed to achieve this balance. It reminded me more of a poorly made homebrew or a sour beer that had gone off rather than a carefully crafted product. This was surprising coming from Blue Mountain Brewery, which has a reputation for quality in other styles.

Who Might Still Enjoy This Beer?

While Drink a Peach was a letdown for me, sour beer preferences are highly subjective. Some drinkers enjoy extreme sourness and might appreciate the bold acidity of this beer. If you are a fan of very tart, almost puckering sours and don’t mind a less natural fruit flavor, it could be worth trying. However, if you prefer a balanced sour with clear fruit character and smooth drinkability, this beer is unlikely to satisfy.

Final Thoughts

Trying new beers is always a gamble, especially with sour styles that can vary so much. Blue Mountain Brewery’s Drink a Peach sour beer missed the mark for me due to its overpowering sourness, artificial peach flavor, and thin body. It serves as a reminder that not every fruit-infused sour will hit the right notes, even from a respected brewery.