Cougar (Peach)
Aspen Brewing Co.

 

Solid barrel aged sour from Aspen Brewing Company. The peaches are very subtle, but not in a negative way - they really serve to balance the brett and barrel character of the (very effervescent) beer. A bit sweet, but I'd be curious to save a bottle or two to see what kind of drying out occurs as the brett takes hold.

really awesome beer, so glad these guys are branching out from the more basic styles. they seem to be on a roll with it too. bottles have just hit the denver area, and i suggest picking one up! their normal blonde ale aged with peaches and brett in chardonnay barrels, really well executed. i think the peach is somewhat subtle in the nose, but a little more vibrant in the flavor, never sweet in the least, but true to its natural form. the brett has done some work, no clue how long this aged for, but its funked right out. the peach sugars must have been easy food for the brett, as its dry too, and really nicely carbonated. there is some acidity from the wine barrel, and a pretty robust oak flavor too, i really like the choice of barrel for this. the peach has some tartness too, and with the tannic wine property and the mature brett, its a really nice combination. carbonated like a soda, lots of big bubbles moving at warp speed, makes the beer feel really alive. i think this is one of the best beers i have had from aspen, and it has me keen to see where they take it from here. i liked their canned offerings, but this is entirely next level! definitely worth picking up, probably will age well too...

December 17th, 2013 - Enjoyed at Parry's pizza, this is a wonderful, punchy beer, with enough feistiness and spitfire to push back again the hot, greasy, herbaceous pizzas at Parry's, with flavor to spare. The pale straw colored brew has a sour, acidic smell, decorated with vanilla, and some pungency that seems to come from brettanomyces more than more common yeasts. The brett colors the flavor too, giving it a heavy perfume with apple cider vinegar, pear juice, and bubblegum, all of which flit away quickly in the aftertaste. It's a great brew, and a perfect pairing with powerful pizza!