BUZZ ALDRIN ~ BARNSTORMER BREWING

Buzz Aldrin is part of Barnstormers sour series and was a seasonal release. The beer is flavoured with peach. Sampled on draught, the brew poured a slightly hazy golden yellow with a thin white head. The nose is very mild with a little sourness, a tiny bit of funk and very light peaches. The taste has a lingering sour, with a light but detectable tart peach taste. It is not as peachy as I would have expected. Not bad, a nice summer sour.

3.8% from Barrie, Ontario IBU 15

NIAGARA PEACH MEAD ~ TRAFALGAR ALES AND MEADS

Trafalgar has explored different Ontario terroirs with their meads. This one explores the flavours of the Niagara Region and uses local peaches. Sampled from a caged and corked bottle the mead poured an opaque vibrant golden-bronze colour, with little visible carbonation and no head. The aroma is largely peach, with notes of honey, florals, very subtle hops and a definite booziness. The taste has huge juicy peach flavour, with subtle woodsy-spicy notes - it is rich and reminds me almost of a liqueur. The finish is a mix of sweetness (but not artificial) from the honey, sweet peaches, and a lingering booziness. The body is medium-full, the carbonation was soft and the mouthfeel was oily/syrupy. Overall ad decent mead, I think it would make a lovely digestif or aperitif served with some sharp old cheddar.

8.5% from Oakville Ontario

SHINY APPLE PEACH CIDER ~ SMALL TALK CIDERY & VINEYARDS

I am not usually a cider person, but there have been lots of new offerings and cideries to try this year. Sampled on draught Shiny Apple Peach cider poured a very clear pale peachy colour. There were lots of green apples on the nose (made from 100% Ontario grown apples), with a touch of peach. The cider is more sweet than tart. The tartness of the apples, however, and the sweetness of the peaches meld to make a refreshing and smooth summer drink summer drink. The mouthfeel is a little syrupy due to the nature of peach nectar and the carbonation is on the soft side.

5% from Niagara on the Lake, Ontario

BLACKBERRY PEACH CIDER ~ COUNTY CIDER COMPANY

What a delicious treat! This Blackberry and peach cider, seems to be a one-off from County Cider, the people who make Waupoos. I believe the base of this cider is apple, and peach and blackberry juice have been added. The cider pours a light golden yellow. Tons of fresh peach on the nose, along with a subtle berry tang, tree fruits and white wine like wafts. This cider is incredibly flavourful with layers of flavour, but is also quite sweet and a little juice like. A syrupy mouthfeel is due to the peach nectar used. This is quite east drinking and the ABV is well hidden. I think this would be awesome cut with a little soda water to quench thirst in hot July weather.

6.5% from Waupoos, Ontario

THE GLOAMING  ~ WEST AVENUE CIDER

 The Gloaming is a wild barrel aged cider.  Pours slightly opaque yellow-gold, with a small head.  The cider is a peach cider but the peach flavour stays well in the background.  Nice mix of tartness, sourness,  brett-funk and ripe fruit sweetness.  It has a long pleasant finish. 

5.5 or 6.5% Hamilton, Ontario