Pêche Fumé
Cascade Brewing / Raccoon Lodge & Brewpub

 

2017 vintage, super cool beer, one of the best and most interesting cascade beers of the lot in my experience from a fermentation standpoint, this is significantly less sour than most of their stuff, especially this old now, and is super funky and brett forward, a new side for them really, and i am really into it. nice orange tone to this, moderate luster, a little haze as we work down the bottle, fizzy though and holding an inch of white head. it smells just fantastic, dripping ripe peach and clean citrus, mature oak and bretty funk, and a very subtle smoke profile, i was definitely expecting more pucker and more intensity on the smoked malt. the flavor is cool because the peach is way out in front and stays on the palate the whole time, but its joined at different moments by other aspects of this, at times a white wine thing from the wood, later a little earthy smoke and balancing bitterness from it, clean acidity in the middle and major bretty wild character late. the fruit is so authentic in here, and its not broken down by the usual cascade sharpness, which i love this time around, fuzzy and juicy and super summery, not cooked at all or anything here, and not compromised but enhanced by the light smoke, a most unique feature of this, subtle as it is. i get hints of toasted marshmallow, sweet orange, and pale wheat, simple as a base but quite complex with the special ingredients and the maturity now. effervescent and bright to drink, and it warms up even more complex, a light banana note here, some lemon, a vanilla and honey warmth, and an almost lambic funk. among the best cascade beers ive ever had, wholly unique in their portfolio, which a lot of them are, but this one because of the fermentation profile. wonderful!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2018-07-04
750ml bottle served in a little Cantillon glass. 2017 bottle.

Pours a mostly clear rich yellow color, medium to large head, medium carbonation. Smell is tart and peachy.

Taste is tart and peachy. I don't detect anything smoky. But it's a tasty beer.

Mouthfeel is dry and light. Overall, nice beer.