Chocolate Cream Pie Gose π Edition
Westbrook Brewing Co.

The effects of pastry favors have no bounds as to which beer style will see its influences next. And at the Westbrook brewhouse, this means gose: the Northern German sour ale with corriander and salt with the complementary flavors of chocolate cream pie for a yin-and-yang of emotions as well as taste.

Pale gold and draped in a fine mesh haze, Chocolate Cream Pie shows no chocolaty tone in sight but once its soapy froth settles the nose picks up on the gentle savory sweetness of chocolate, vanilla and cream over a tangy backdrop of citrus, cider and sourdough. Taffy sweet maltiness greets the tongue with a lightly plump taste with a soft breadiness in tow.

Its sweetness drifts away as the ale launches onto the middle palate where the citrusy tones reveal the taste of lime, lemon, green apple, gooseberry, guava and white grape. Just like in scent, the subtlety of chocolate is simple and understated while adding a fullness in taste that's backed by the sweetness of cream, vanilla and coconut for a beer that's as well suited for the dessert menu as it is the beer menu.

Medium light in body, the gently spiced Gose ale trends dry, crisp and refreshing despite its decadent tilt toward the savory. In a short and citrusy finish, a hint of chocolate lingers briefly on the after palate. I've never experienced something chocolatey also being refreshing. I learned something today.

L: Had this on-tap at Westbrook's tasting room, poured into a taster. Had a bright, golden yellow color and a hazy consistency. There was a quarter inch of foamy, fairly long-lasting head. Pretty good lacing.

S: A very nice aroma of chocolate, a creamy quality, citrus fruit, and malt as well.

T: Tasted of a tinge of citrus fruit (a little lemon), some light malt notes (mostly in the finish), a fair amount of chocolate (kind of lingers around), and a creamy quality (present throughout). A light, sweet, and surprisingly subtle flavor. It's not quite as sour as some goses, but rather it has a nicely understated quality. Pretty tasty.

F: A well-carbonated beer with a lively finish. Light-bodied.

O: A solidly made gose. Worth a look.