ABV 7.4%

A few years back, Epic Brewing Company did the unthinkable. They took classic beers from their standard lineup and messed with ’em! They released a handful of ‘wild’ versions of their fruit beers that we all know so well. The already natural funky flavors in the beer must have sparked the imagination of a creative brewer.

Nowadays it seems like throwing a hodge-podge of different ingredients into staple beers is the “hot new thing” in the industry. However, just because it’s the hip thing, doesn’t mean it always works — but there are plenty of times when it does. On occasion we have been lured in by a past favorite with some new added fruit or hop… only to quickly remember we prefer the original. However, when a new version maintains the integrity of its predecessor, while establishing itself as a standout beverage in its own right, it’s a win-win. Ballast Point nailed it with Grapefruit and Habanero Sculpin, Anderson Valley Brewing made nice tweaks with their Blood Orange Gose, and of course Goose Island’s Bourbon County Brand Stout is great, as are its many variants.

Epic Brewing Company’s Sour Brainless on Peaches is another of these fine examples. Kick started with lactobacillus, pediococcus and wild yeast, aged in oak barrels and fresh peach puree, it isn’t ready until the brew master feels it has peaked to perfection. This beer flows into a golden fog with a quickly disappearing head. A funky peach aroma is immediately followed by a pinch of tart sunshine. At first, its taste is a dominantly sour, but is followed by a smooth, deep citrus peel. It finishes with an oaky, juicy, fermented fruit funk. If you allow this 7.4% ABV brew to warm up, the peaches fight their way to the front. Delicious.

While some beers leave you scratching your head when they’re altered (we still drink them anyway), there are others you feel were meant to be more. Epic’s Brainless lineup has always included highly sought-after liquid gold among fans of Belgian and fruit styles — Sour Brainless on Peaches is one of those beers that stands tall next to the original. Throw some more into a foeder please!

Chris & Sylvia are a #craftbeercouple who love everything beer! Check them out on Instagram @chrishollands & @sylily.

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