Thoughts on Gose

I recently tried the Ritterguts Gose from Germany. Outstanding beer.

But, I tried and enjoyed the Westbroke version. I've also tried the Anderson Valley (Kimmy/Yink/Holy Gose) and didn't care for that much.

I'd say try a couple other versions!

 

Its a very fun and tasty style. Never had one yet that was bad. Now go getcha some

 

Some people just don't like certain styles. It doesn't mean you're wrong and we're right. Having said that, I now love some styles I didn't care for at first. Always keep an open mind and try as much as you can. It may work out. It may not. But there's more beer out there. To answer your question, give Anderson Valley Holy Gose a try.

 

It's a style that isn't for everyone.

 

Do you generally like Berliner Weisse or other beers that are soured predominantly or completely by lactobacillus?

If so, then the salt may just not be your thing. No worries. Lots of other good stuff out there.

 

I had Westbrooke Gose af few weeks ago. I could have written your EXACT post, I was just too lazy. You captured my feelings on Gose word for word!

 

I tried Westbrook Gose and did not like it. I will not try another of this style as I believe Westbrook is one of the highest rated of the style. Pretty sure they're all salty and sour. Not all styles are for all people.

 

I have sampled one gose (NoDa What Gose Around) and did not like it at all. I suspect the style just isn't for me. I have also tried several Belgian style ales (admittedly, all were versions from American breweries) and none of those appealed to me either. Belgian beer is highly regarded, so I suppose I should keep trying.

 

It's pretty much that straightforward, although I find American version go for emphazing tartness and sour as opposed to the German varieties (it's origins).

You pretty much described things about the style which are what it is, and if you don't care for them you'd probably want to not bother with them, unless you want to find ones that don't have that character.

 

And as always... remember..

It was me who demanded brewers make more of this style...

ME

and they listened...

 

In my opinion it's a style more suitable for chugging as opposed to sipping (No i don't really mean chugging). Needs no fancy glass. I wouldn't put it on a pedestal like an Oud Bruin or a Flanders Red to detect each and every note. Serve it cold and drink it like you would a refreshing pilsner.

 

Sours are like IPA in terms of tolerance. Someone new to IPA wouldn't do themselves any favors by drinking a hop intense, 100 IBU beer for their first attempt. Same thing with sours. Someone new to sours (don't know if you are or arent) wouldn't do themselves any favors by jumping straight to a 3.2 pH sour beer. Clean beer is in the 4.2 range, so trying milder sours at first and working your way down the pH scale would be the best way to acquire a taste for it.

 

I had the same reaction.

If I wanted a bad, watered-down margarita I'd try to find a Chi-Chi's instead of buying Westbrook Gose again.

I love all of the the other Westbrook brews I've tried, so I'm guessing this was a decent representation of the style. It's just not for me.

 

I didn't think I'd like the salty taste either but it's really subtle compared to the crisp sour taste. This is a really enjoyable yardwork refresher IMO.

 

The first time I tried it (Westbrook Gose) I was not a fan...at all. Then I poured one into a frosted mug on a scorching hot Sunday afternoon and I was hooked. I find them very refreshing.

 

The style to me is a good to have beer in session beer mode, as you stated. I'm not sure I could do just Gose, but could have it play a prominent role. I like the more sour variations (Kimmie), not for session, but a more standard version of the style hits me right for a couple if beers. Even tried making my own which came out ok. The base is a wheat-based ale and I used Kölsch yeast (which I think is standard).

The level of sourness and saltiness in different varieties may alter your opinion case by case, but I agree that it also might be a style to grow into (or not).