Glassware: Fresh aromatics make any beer experience better and this is especially true with Pickin Peach. The bright hop aromas with fresh peaches must be experienced to truly appreciate this beer. A Spiegelau IPA glass is a wonderful choice however a snifter glass will also work. The key is glassware that allows the beer to warm slowly and capture its beautiful aroma.

Description: Pickin Peach pours a cloudy light orange hue with a frothy off white head that leaves a thin layer of lacing on the glass. The aroma is fruit forward and extremely refreshing. Notes of peach are present up front with backing hints of melon, apricot, honey and a light touch of oak. The taste is refreshing but not as fruit forward as one might expect. Instead, this drinks like a bright and lively pale ale with attributes of fresh peaches present throughout. The peach flavor melds into the hops with melon, apricot, and stone fruit that when combined with locally sourced honey, makes for a beer that is a quintessential summer drink. The aging in oak imparts the perfect roundness and depth of flavor without overpowering and instead imparts more complexity and warmth that is not expected in a 5.2 percent ABV beer. The medium body and moderate carbonation are perfect and allow the flavors to shine through.

Food pairing: Summer seasonal beers should be light, refreshing, and not weigh too heavily on the palate or stomach. The same is true for foods. The trouble with enjoying many lighter dishes with a glass of your favorite beer is that the beer can quickly overpower the dish. Pickin Peach has a depth of flavor that can match heartier dishes but also sit perfectly with lighter dishes such as a salad. Try pairing Pickin Peach with a delicious summer salad topped with your favorite fruit such as strawberries, blueberries, and especially peaches! This is also a beer that can go a bit bigger and is the perfect accompaniment for a delicious steak with blue cheese crumbles. It is also a great beer to have with barbecue, especially ribs covered with a spicy sauce! The touch of sweetness in the beer makes it great for dessert and goes exceptionally well with ice cream for the perfect summer evening treat!

The Final Word: I do not like fruit beers. The sweetness becomes very overpowering and instead of being enjoyable it turns into heartburn and sugar shock. However, this is not a fruit beer. This is a beer with fruit added and the difference is astronomical. The drinkability factor is off the charts and it makes for a perfect summer beer. While many people view Stegmaier as an “old” brewery it is wrong to look past their beers. The brewery is still brewing some new and very exciting beers. This seems to be a beer that has something for everyone with bright hops and fresh fruit on full display, but kept in check. It is sure to be a real people-pleaser this summer.

Brewer: Stegmaier Brewing Company

Beer: Pickin Peach

Style: American Pale Ale

ABV: 5.2 %

Rating: WWWW

Derek Warren is a beer fanatic, avid homebrewer and beer historian. Derek can be heard weekly on the Beer Geeks Radio Hour at noon on Sundays on WILK 103.1 FM with past episodes available on iTunes.

By Derek Warren

For Weekender

Pickin Peach Pale Ale is a tasty beer to have on hand for summer barbecues and regular drinking.
https://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_thumbnail_Steg-Peach-1.jpgPickin Peach Pale Ale is a tasty beer to have on hand for summer barbecues and regular drinking. Submitted photo

Pickin Peach Pale Ale is a tasty beer to have on hand for summer barbecues and regular drinking.
https://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_StegPeachCMYK-1.jpgPickin Peach Pale Ale is a tasty beer to have on hand for summer barbecues and regular drinking. Submitted photo