Gose Beer: Where To Buy This Sour And Salty Treat

Gose is a German-style wheat beer known for its salty and sour flavour. It is usually brewed with at least 50% malted wheat, with the remaining being malted barley, and is fermented with Lactobacillus bacteria, which gives it its characteristic sourness. Gose has seen a surge in popularity in the American craft market, with breweries such as Anderson Valley Brewing Company, Druthers Brewing Company, and Martin House Brewing Company offering their own interpretations of the traditional German beer. These breweries have also experimented with various fruit-infused variations, including blood orange, watermelon, and avocado. Gose beer can be purchased from specialist retailers such as Total Wine & More and Belmont Station retail shop and beer café in Portland, Oregon.

Gose beer in the USA

Gose, a warm fermented beer, is usually brewed with at least 50% malted wheat, with the rest being malted barley. Fruit syrups, such as lemon, coriander, and salt are added, or they are already a component of the water used. Gose is characterised by its sourness, which is achieved through inoculation with Lactobacillus bacteria. It is a refreshing beer with bright flavours and low bitterness.

Gose was first brewed in Germany, in the town of Goslar, between 1181 and 1470, and its name is derived from the town. It became extremely popular in Leipzig, where it was brewed by local breweries from 1738. Gose was a staple drink in much of Lower Saxony for centuries. It is said that Gose is allowed an exemption from the German purity laws (Reinheitsgebot) due to its use of coriander and salt, on the grounds that it is a regional speciality.

Gose is now a very popular style of beer in the American craft brewing space, although it has died out in its native Germany. In America, goses are often used as a base for fruit flavours, and many fruit goses are made to mimic the flavours of a margarita.

Some American breweries that produce gose include:

• Anderson Valley Brewing Company (California)
• Druthers Brewing Company (New York)
• Martin House Brewing Company (Texas)
• Union Craft Brewing (Baltimore)
• Westbrook Brewing Company (South Carolina)

Gose beer in Germany

Gose beer is a unique, sour German ale style that is perfect for hot days and was first brewed in Germany. It was first produced in Goslar, a small town in Lower Saxony, and home to the Gose River, in the year 1000. The beer's popularity took off in 1738 when Goslar's small-town brewers found a larger market for the beer in the nearby cities of Leipzig and Halle. Soon, Goslar production couldn't quench the thirst of Leipzigers, and Leipziger Gose was born. Its popularity exploded, with over 80 gose taverns operating in Leipzig by the 1800s.

Gose is characterised by the addition of coriander and salt, which gives the beer its unmistakable taste. It is a warm-fermented beer that is usually brewed with at least 50% of the grain bill being malted wheat (with the rest being malted barley such as pilsner malt), fruit syrups such as lemon, coriander, and salt. It acquires its characteristic sourness through inoculation with Lactobacillus bacteria, which is not a hop-tolerant bacterium and provides only light acidity. Gose beers typically do not have prominent hop bitterness, flavours, or aromas and have a relatively low alcohol content of 4 to 5% alcohol by volume.

Gose was a staple drink in much of Lower Saxony for centuries, but the beer became extinct in 1966 after a long, slow demise. It has since been revived by two small brewers in the east of Germany: hobby brewer-turned-professional Tilo Jänichen and Bavarian brewer Andreas Schneider. Jänichen teamed up with the son of the last owner of Döllnitz Manor, and modified the original gose recipe for his brewery. Schneider, on the other hand, converted the derelict former Bavarian train station in Leipzig into a Gose brewery in 2000.

Today, the style continues to grow and develop, even though it still doesn't pass the Munich purity laws as coriander is not allowed as an ingredient. Gose has become one of the most fashionable beers in the resurgence of German-style beer in the American craft beer market.

Gose beer online

Gose beer is a sour and refreshing beverage that is perfect for those who enjoy a tangy twist to their beer. If you're looking to buy Gose beer online, there are several options available to you.

Online Retailers

Firstly, you can try online retailers that specialise in beer and wine sales, such as Total Wine & More. They offer a range of Gose beers, including those from popular brands like Anderson Valley and Athletic. By purchasing from these retailers, you can often take advantage of promotions and discounts, making your purchase more affordable.

Brewery Websites

Another option is to buy directly from the websites of breweries that produce Gose beer. For instance, Atlas Brew Works offers its Blood Orange Gose for delivery through services like DoorDash and UberEats. Similarly, Three Notch'd Brewing Company, the creators of P.O.G. Gose, may also provide online purchasing and delivery options through their website.

Delivery Apps

In addition to the breweries' websites, you can utilise food and beverage delivery apps, such as DoorDash and UberEats. These apps often partner with local bars, restaurants, and breweries, giving you access to a wide range of Gose beers that you can have delivered directly to your doorstep.

Online Beer Specialists

Furthermore, there are online beer specialists, such as BeerMenus, that can help you locate sour beers in your area. While they may not directly sell Gose beer, they provide information on the best places to find sour beers, including Gose, near you. This can include local bars, restaurants, taprooms, and liquor stores.

Remember to enjoy Gose beer responsibly, and always check the legal drinking age restrictions in your region.

Local gose beer

Gose beer is a unique, warm-fermented German-style wheat beer with a salty and sour flavour profile. It is typically brewed with at least 50% malted wheat, fruit syrups, coriander, and salt. Gose was first brewed in the German town of Goslar, from which it derives its name, between 1181 and 1470. It then became popular in Leipzig, where local breweries began producing it by 1738.

Today, there are over 400 producers of gose beer worldwide, with a notable presence in the American craft brewing market. When looking to buy local gose beer, it is worth considering the following options:

Local Breweries

When seeking out local gose beer, a great place to start is your local breweries. Many breweries, especially those with a focus on craft beer, have embraced the gose style and may offer their own unique variations. Check out breweries in your area, either by searching online or asking around at local pubs or beer shops, to see if they have gose beer on their menu. Some breweries may even offer tours or tastings, providing an opportunity to learn more about their brewing process and sample their gose offerings.

Craft Beer Shops

In addition to breweries, craft beer shops can be a great resource for finding local gose beer. These shops often carry a wide selection of craft beers, including local options that may not be widely distributed. They usually have knowledgeable staff who can guide you towards the best local gose beers available. Look for shops that specialise in craft beer, as they are more likely to stock a diverse range of options, including limited releases and seasonal varieties.

Local Beer Festivals and Events

Attending local beer festivals and events can also increase your chances of finding delicious local gose beers. These events often showcase a variety of breweries and beer styles, with an emphasis on local producers. They provide an opportunity to sample a wide range of beers in one place, allowing you to discover new favourites and connect with local brewers. Keep an eye out for beer festivals, brewers' markets, or craft beer weeks in your area to explore the gose beers on offer.

Online Beer Delivery Services

With the rise of online shopping, many beer retailers and delivery services now offer a wide selection of craft beers, including local options. These services often allow you to search by style, making it easy to find gose beers from local breweries in your area. Additionally, they may offer mixed packs or variety packs, providing an opportunity to try several different local goses without committing to a full case of each.

Local Pubs and Restaurants

Lastly, local pubs and restaurants, especially those with a focus on craft beer, can be a great place to find gose beers on tap or by the bottle. These establishments often rotate their beer selections, so it's worth checking their menus regularly or following them on social media to stay up-to-date with their latest offerings. Some pubs may even have relationships with local breweries, offering exclusive or limited-release gose beers that you won't find anywhere else.

Fruit-flavoured gose beer

Gose is a unique, warm-fermented, sour German ale that is perfect for hot days and is usually brewed with at least 50% malted wheat, fruit syrups, coriander, and salt. It is characterised by its light acidity and low alcohol content, typically ranging from 4% to 5% ABV.

Anderson Valley Brewing Company, based in California, is a well-known producer of fruit-flavoured gose beers. They offer a range of gose varieties, including Blood Orange, Briney Melon, Cherry, Peach, POG, and G&T Gose. Their Blood Orange Gose, in particular, has been described as smooth and easy to find.

Other notable breweries creating fruit-flavoured goses include Long Trail Brewery in Vermont, which produces a Cranberry Gose, and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company in California, which makes a grapefruit and cactus-flavoured gose called Otra Vez. For those seeking non-alcoholic options, Bravus offers a Raspberry Gose that is worth trying.

To find fruit-flavoured gose beers, checking local brewpubs and craft beer retailers is a good starting point. These establishments often carry a variety of gose beers, including fruit-flavoured options, especially during the summer months. Additionally, online beer retailers and subscription services can be a convenient way to discover and purchase fruit-flavoured gose beers from different regions.

Frequently asked questions