By Nick Anderson, the Beermonger

Recently I wrote a column listing some of my favorite summer brews. I reflected on summers past, recalled what I enjoyed and what my customers enjoyed, then made my judgments. I wrote up a list with descriptions of five beers and thought I had something really good there. Of course I managed to have one giant, glaring omission.

Just this past week I received my first drop of Dogfish Head’s outstanding summer beer, Festina Peche. Bottled and distributed for the first time last year (previously you could only find it at their brewpub in Rehoboth), Festina is a modern take on a classic German style, a Berliner-weisse. Berliner-weisse is an interesting thing in and of itself; very light as well as very sour, it is often used almost like a mixer. Everything from shots of sweet, flavored syrups to spirits and sparkling wines are added to Berliner-weisse. Where there were once dozens of breweries in Berlin producing the style, now there are only two. 
 

This is where Dogfish Head comes in with Festina Peche. Their “neo Berliner-weisse” is not only a departure from their usual higher-alcohol IPAs (Festina Peche clocks in at a reasonable 4.5% ABV) but from traditional Berliner-weisse as well. It shares with the Germans the traditional ale yeast and lactic acid notes, but it is fermented with Peaches to smooth out the sour feel. The result is a refreshing, tart mouthfeel with an undercurrent of round peach flavor. No aspect is out of balance here; by that I mean there’s no shot needed.

Not that it’s against the rules to do so. My favorite way to enjoy Festina Peche is the way Dogfish serves it off draft at their brewpub and restaurants—in a pint glass with a slice of peach floating inside. I’m curious to see what a little shot of the traditional raspberry syrup would be like in it as well. If you have a little time this Saturday, swing by Rick’s Wine & Gourmet and check out Festina Peche for yourself; if I remember any summer favorites I’ve forgotten between now and then I’ll let you know.

Cheers,
Nick Anderson, the Beermonger

Nick Anderson is the beer buyer (or Beermonger) for Rick’s Wine & Gourmet in Alexandria. He keeps a (most of the time) running blog at www.beermonger.net