Boult
Brewery Bhavana

This beer is an excellent example of how style guides can fail the beer. Were this an Imperial Gose, the ratings would score much higher, and my personal taste is reflected as such following each description.

The beer is light yellow-gold SRM 3. A half-inch fizzy white head fades quickly to a thin veil and rocky ring. Slow, fine carbonation is occasionally interrupted by quick, large bubbles. Overall, there is a hazy translucency as the yeast was left in the bottle. (4)

Sourness is light and fruity with a sour dough backdrop. Oak and lemon pair with white spices, perhaps pepper, coriander or celery. The sourness is similar to a tidal marsh brine. (4.25)

The marsh brine and lemon pounce upon entry. Tartness and sourness balance well with sweetness. Bitterness is slightly perceptible as it warms. Caraway comes out against oak and white wine. The finish is moderate and long. (4.25)

A nylon texture and medium body work well with controlled alcohol. The carbonation is fizzy and palate-cleansing. (4.25)

This beer is short of refreshing and far from the style guideline. Alcohol, though absent from perception, is too high for the style. (4)

A: Pours a relatively clear medium golden yellow in color with moderate to heavy amounts of fine active visible carbonation rising quickly from the bottom of the glass and moderate straw yellow + burnt orange colored highlights. The beer has a finger tall sudsy fizzy foamy bright white head that quickly reduces to a medium sized patch of very thin film and a very thin ring at the edges of the glass. Light amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Light aromas of bready + wheat + slightly spicy rye malts and moderate aromas of vinous/white wine + oak. Just shy of moderate aromas of tartness and citrus/lemon zest with light aromas of earthy funkiness.

T: Upfront there are slightly heavier than light flavors of bready + wheat + slightly spicy rye malts with minimal amounts of sweetness. That is followed by light to moderate flavors of vinous/white wine and oak. Then there are light flavors of citrus/lemon zest and earthy funkiness. Finally there is a big light fruit + lacto-like tartness/sourness that lingers well through the finish.

M: Light bodied with moderate to heavy amounts of carbonation. Crisp with medium to heavy amounts of acidic prickliness.

O: Much more sour/tart than some of the more traditional Eastern European kvass, this reminds me a bit more of the ones Jester King and Fonta Flora have turned out (lot more tartness and a more subtle rye/malt presence). Enjoyable though quite tart yet still refreshing. Alcohol is well hidden. I would definitely have another one of these.