Ottermelon Gose
Central State Brewing

 

A - Pale golden body, clear, with minimal head, no real lacing to speak of.

S - Strong hit of funk and sour.

T - Opens with strong lactic sour, then the watermelon rolls in, followed by a salty note, fading into saltine malts, and a sudden close.

M - Brisk and prickly, but pretty mild and light all told.

O - Delicious and fun. The flavor experience is a real ride.

 

16 ounce can into tulip glass, canned on 9/6/2018. Pours lightly hazy pale golden/straw color with a 1-2 finger fairly dense and fluffy white head with great retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Light spotty soapy lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of big juicy/lightly tart/tangy watermelon, cucumber, fruit skin, lemon, lime, pear, melon, red/green apple, white wine, sea salt, hay, straw, grass, wheat, cracker, white bread, light lacto/musty funk, and yeast earthiness. Very nice aromas with good balance and complexity of fruity/funky/acidic yeast, watermelons, and moderate pale/wheat malt notes; with great strength. Taste of big juicy/lightly tart/tangy watermelon, cucumber, fruit skin, lemon, lime, pear, melon, red/green apple, white wine, sea salt, hay, straw, grass, wheat, cracker, white bread, light lacto/musty funk, and yeast earthiness. Light-moderate fruity/lactic tart/sourness, and light fruit tang on the finish. Lingering notes of tart/sour watermelon, cucumber, fruit skin, lemon, lime, pear, melon, red/green apple, white wine, sea salt, hay, straw, grass, wheat, cracker, white bread, light lacto/musty funk, and yeast earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Great complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/funky/acidic yeast, watermelons, and moderate pale/wheat malt flavors; with a great malt/tart/sourness and tangy fruit balance; with no puckering flavors after the finish. Moderately crisp/clean finishing. Light-moderate increasing dryness from tart/sourness and tangy fruit. Medium-plus carbonation and light body; with a very smooth, moderately grainy/acidic, and lightly tangy/saline balanced mouthfeel that is nice. Zero warming alcohol as expected of 3.5%. Overall this is a delicious fruited gose. All around nice complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/funky/acidic yeast, watermelons, and moderate pale/wheat malt flavors; very smooth, crisp, clean, and pretty refreshing to drink with the modestly acidic/tangy/drying finish; not overly lactic or salty. Very flavorful and not watery for the ABV. Great balance of authentic watermelons and Brett/Lacto complexity; with a solid pale/wheat malt backbone against acidity. A very enjoyable offering, and spot on style example.

 

 

 

Man I have been bad about rating beers.

The beer was bought in Cinnicinatti, Ohio during a trip for a wedding (forgot the place and price).

hazy yellow colored beer with a slightly off-white head that fizzes and dies quickly. Aroma is pretty faint but consists of yeasty grapey tones and wheaty hay. All the melon is in the taste, which is what I would prefer in this particular beer. Carbonation (highish) and body (thinish) is pretty much perfect.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The historic northern German "sour, wheat ale" has grown up to take on modern kettle souring technique for a clean, consistent and refreshing taste that hangs its hat on the lemony tang of lactic fermentation.

Central State's Ottermelon Gose tingles the nose with refreshing acidity as its popping effervescence draws the senses near. Though creamy and arid only momentarily, the ale's hazy peachy gold hues recapture the foam rather quickly. Yet there's a distinctive watermelon aroma to accompany the citrus as they both carry over to a supple sweetened upstart of confection and light bread.

With the sweetness proving short-lived, the middle palate dives deeply into the acidity and added fruit as the character of lemon, lime, balsa and watermelon wash over the tastebuds and deliver a high level of refreshing, summery and tangy flavors. And as the acidity easily breaks up the thirst, the beer's late taste is of citrusy and perfumy coriander and saltine.

And with its light and refreshing palate, the ale is soft and delicate with the melon but firm and brisk with sea salt and limey sourness. As as the ale finishes the palate, its final character is once again of wheat and burlap. Ottermelon Gose is perfect for a hot weather thirst quencher or with summer salads or ceviche.