If you're a beer lover looking for a unique and refreshing style to try, look no further than gose (pronounced "goes-uh"). This traditional German style is known for its tartness, saltiness, and unique flavor profile that makes it stand out from other sour beers. We have a brand new gose release this week at Ballad!
The History of Gose Style
Gose has a rich history that dates back to the Middle Ages in the German town of Goslar, located in the Harz Mountains. The beer was brewed using local water that was naturally high in salt and minerals. As the beer gained popularity, it was exported to other regions and became a popular style in Leipzig in the 18th century. However, the popularity of gose declined in the early 20th century. The style nearly disappeared until the 1980s when a handful of German breweries revived the style.
What Makes Gose Different?
Gose is a sour beer that is brewed with coriander and salt. The combination of ingredients creates a unique flavor profile that is tart, slightly salty, and refreshing. Unlike other sour beer styles like lambic and Berliner Weisse, gose has a distinctive salinity that balances out the sourness. Gose is also typically brewed with wheat and fermented with both yeast and lactobacillus bacteria. They create a complex flavor profile that is both tart and fruity.
Trending Developments in Gose Beer
In recent years, gose became increasingly popular among beer lovers. Breweries are experimenting with new flavors and ingredients to create unique variations on the traditional style. Some popular fruit additions include raspberry, peach, and mango. These flavors add a fruity sweetness that complements the sourness and saltiness of the beer. Other breweries experiment with hops to create a more bitter version. Some even add herbs like rosemary and thyme to create a more savory profile.
Gose Beer at Ballad
Gose is a unique and refreshing option for beer lovers looking for something new to try. With its tartness, saltiness, and complex flavor profile, gose stands out from other sour beer styles. Whether you’re a seasoned beer enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of craft beer, this brew is definitely worth a try. Ballad has created many different variations of this style available over the years. This week, we bring back our Watermelon Gose on draft. The delicious refreshing sweetness from the watermelon and tartness of the sour ale, paired with Himalayan pink salt is the perfect sweet and salty combination that keeps you coming back for another sip. Try one this week in our taproom in Danville, VA and see what all the fuss is about!