In 2020, we launched the O.J. Fruit Flavoured beer range. We invited Matthias Soberon of Served by Soberon to taste O.J. Fuzz for the first time. Read on to hear his initial thoughts on our the tropical-like, peach-flavoured beer.
The O.J. Fuzz is one of the three fruit beers in the range of O.J. Beers, next to O.J. Pink and O.J. Pomme, all of them coming in a 330ml black glass bottle. Upon opening it, sun-ripened vineyard peaches greet you with the kindest of smiles. Pouring it in your glass, you get an autumnal, peachy glow. The head gently disappears and leaves a soft, thin layer on the surface. Trails of fine pearls dance in abundance from the bottom up, joyfully.
O.J. Fuzz is described as a ‘Tropical Peach Flavoured Beer’, and as its name suggests, is a peach-colored lager beer. It contains water, barley malt, maize, hops, sugar, natural peach flavouring and purple carrot juice concentrate. Just like the Pink and Pomme, it’s bottled at at under 145kcal per bottle, containing 4% ABV.
Nosing the glass, immediately envokes that feeling of sunkissed skin. It smells inviting and cozy, a touch of velvet sweetness. When you’re acquainted with the fruity side of the Fuzz, a light, slightly more bitter aroma rises. The fruitiness returns, slightly deeper, ripened. It caresses you softly.
Bringing the glass to your mouth makes the aroma intensify, yet upon sipping, doesn’t overpower. On the contrary even, it takes a way more humble position. The peaches are still there, but make way for the lager at first. There’s a medium carbonation helping the bitterness pave its way, firmly. Several sips in, the peaches return, tasting softer, with a slight tropical touch. I get velvet mango, tart passionfruit, maybe even sweet & sour pineapple, all subtly embracing the peach.
The finish is on the slightly shy side. Malty in the first seconds, peach following… peach candy possibly, you know which ones I’m talking about. And right before it all disappears, a kiss of bitterness among the sweetness that remains.
Would it be wrong to compare O.J. Fuzz to (what in my head tastes like) a ‘Beer Bellini?’ It may be a bit hard to envision, but I think there’s something to it. It’s something perfectly befitting Indian Summers, those warmer, beautiful months of Autumn.