peeka - smoothie sour

Blech.Brut Brewery, from the beer city of Bamberg, doesn’t do things by halves. When Benedikt Steger brews an IPA, it’s hopped to the absolute limit. When he creates a stout, it’s darker than the darkest night and so bitter it rivals vermouth. And when he crafts a fruit beer, it’s at least as fruity as a smoothie and guaranteed to have the same consistency.

Blech.Brut has just launched just such a fruit beer: PEEKA is a smoothie sour that’s every bit as good as an actual smoothie. The deep red brew is made with purée of blackberries, sour cherries, and blackcurrants, and is as thick, fruity, and juicy as a freshly squeezed fruit cocktail. A grist of barley, wheat, and oat malts makes the brew even creamier and more textured; hops underscore the luscious fruitiness and contribute a touch of bitterness.

PEEKA pours into the glass the color of fully ripe Morello cherries and is so creamy that it barely forms a head. An enticing aroma of summer berries tickles the nose and whets the appetite for the first sip. The taste surpasses even the wildest expectations with a full-on burst of fruit: blackberries, cherries, and cassis flood the palate, delivering sweetness, acidity, and a euphoric summer feeling. Wow.