Brewer’s Reserve Tequila Barrel-Aged Key Lime Gose
Central Waters Brewing Co.

 

this is exceptional, really tart from what must be real key limes, pleasantly salty, a cool compliment to the spiciness of the tequila, woody, earthy, musky, tangy, fresh, really impressive specimen here, these guys are on another level. unassuming from the 12oz can, golden and clear through the first have, a little cloudier through the second, fizzy but not keeping much head. the nose is striking, sharp lime and lactic acidity, really puckery and instantly mouthwatering, but offset but some barrel richness, mellow oak, vanilla nuance, even a white tea thing, and tons of minerals from the salt. the grain seems quite light but not irrelevant, and just a little alcohol is there with the tequila. the flavor is super well integrated, sharp zesty key lime throughout, a lemongrass and lemon note too, a little toasty base from the malt, honey richness and perhaps toasted coconut character in the oak, spicy fairly assertive tequila, long lasting tequila on the finish, so good with the lime, and its mellow and acidic at the same time, quick finishing for how flavorful it is thanks to the salt, love that brine at the end. good enough carbonation, decent medium body, each sip begs for another. awesome use of lime, the salt is robust and i dig that, and overall this is masterful. bravo! this is at original founders mas agave level...

 

 

Aroma is lime/fruit, slight liquor/tequila and vaguely soda. The flavor is fruit/lime, malts, a hint of salt and a sweet/tart/slight wood/creeping sweet finish.

 

Sorta hazy yellowish goldenish color, smells like keylime pie and a fine tequilla. The taste is lots of lime and sour, with a slight hint and burn of tequilla.

Too one note, like a wheat beer with a drop shot of lime juice innit. The tequilla seems like some good stuff, but there's only a tiny taste

Pours a mildly hazy, amber with moderate carbonation and a one finger head. Aroma is lime with tequila. Taste is not as strong on the lime. It is sour with a tequila presence, though subtle. All profiles vanish quickly and one is left with a sour note.

 

 

 

 

 

Appearance - The beer was golden color with a slight white head crowning the glass.

Smell - There was a lot of lime in this pour. It seemed almost too sweet.

Taste - The profile was oaky with tart, but thin lime. There were no tequila notes recognizable to my palette. If anything, the barrels imparted dry oaky notes. The lime notes stick to the roof of the mouth in the finish.

Mouthfeel - High carbonation helped to reinforce the dry notes.

Overall - This was a rare miss for Central Waters.

 

 

The look is light swamp, apple cider, brown-orange. The smell has hints of tequila, which creates a very visceral reaction for me. There is the additional scent of key lime tartness. The flavor brings the tequila presence that makes my soul anxious, but the key lime tart and sweet flavor calms my nerves. The flavor ends with a saltiness that is present, but not overwhelming. It quite simply tastes like a margarita. The mouthfeel is that of a well-done cocktail, though it has the familiar carbonation/presence of a gose beer. Overall, this is an interesting addition to the Central Waters Brewing Brewer's Reserve lineup, but it is my least favorite of them all. I would rather have a well-made margarita, or a shot of premium tequila, if I was going to go this direction.