Gose
Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant

 

Growler from Gordon Biersch Rockville shared by yourefragile as a segway in the midst of the 2011 barrel-aged barleywine tasting. Quite a few pours into the SAVOR snifter. Maybe I should have gotten a bigger glass out for this one.

Initial pour is a hazy straw color with a good single-finger white head with good retention and a good dosage of lacing.

Nose is slightly lactic with a good portion of wheat and some light citrus in the background. Flavor hits all the right spots. Salt is a little on the low end but I won't complain about that. Light acidity throughout and a nice light citric character to complement the wheat base.

Light body and good carbonation. Dry finish with a slight pucker. Really drinkable and sessionable. I could have killed the growler myself.

Thanks for another Gose from yourefragile, nice.

Served in a tiny snifter (4 or 5 times). Beer is yellow and hazy with a wispy / thin white head of small bubbles, some lacing, mild to moderate carbonation, looks like a gose.

The aroma is a little weak, some lactic, mild, some yeast character, mild, some grains.

Beer is thin and light. I was expecting a more salty / more creamy / more sour beer than this. It is still quite good, very drinkable, I thoroughly enjoyed it and went back for fourths. This was in the berleinerweiss territory for final gravity though, low, good for the style though. An interesting attempt that I would have never expected from a Gordon Biersch but apparently interesting things happen at these places. I'd have it again.

On tap at GB Rockville, day of tapping. Served in a .5L nonic.

Beautiful clouded pale straw color with a creamy retentive white head. Citrus lemon aroma with sour wheat and mild salt in the finish. Medium thick with soft carbonation and a lingering dry, sour finish. Initially a strong yeast and wheat base in the flavor followed by a refreshing lemon and tart finish. Not as much salt as expected, but this is exceedingly drinkable and refreshing.