What is a Contemporary Gose?

January 30 2023

Understanding the Gose Style

Traditionally hailing from Goslar, Germany, Gose offers a unique taste profile that distinguishes it from other beers. At its core, the Gose style is characterized by its sourness, salinity, and a hint of coriander, making it both refreshing and distinctive.

Gose achieves its signature sourness through a brewing process that includes lactobacillus bacteria. This addition not only imparts a tangy flavor but also adds complexity to the beer. The salinity, another defining characteristic, is traditionally derived from the mineral-rich waters of Goslar. However, contemporary brewers often add salt during the brewing process to emulate this profile. The touch of coriander further enhances the beer's aromatic quality, rounding out its distinctive flavor palette.

The alcohol content in Gose usually ranges from 4% to 5%, striking a balance that makes it both light and enjoyable. Its moderate alcohol level, combined with its unique taste, positions Gose as an excellent choice for craft beer enthusiasts seeking something out of the ordinary.

Brewers of contemporary Gose often experiment with additional ingredients, such as fruit flavors, to introduce new dimensions to this classic style. These innovations have led to a wide variety of Gose available in the market, each offering a different take on the traditional formula. Whether incorporating raspberries, lemons, or even exotic fruits like guava, these adaptations make Gose a versatile and continually evolving style within the craft beer world.

Understanding the Gose style illuminates the craftsmanship involved in reviving an ancient beer for the modern palate. Its balance of sourness, saltiness, and aromatic coriander, coupled with the creativity of contemporary brewers, has cemented Gose's place in the craft beer industry as a genre-defying beverage. As I explore the nuances of contemporary Gose, it's clear that this style's revival is a testament to the innovation and passion driving the craft beer community.

The Rise of Contemporary Gose

Having delved into the distinctive blend of sourness, saltiness, and aromatic coriander that defines contemporary Gose, along with its modest alcohol content and potential for fruit flavor experimentation, I now turn my attention to the notable resurgence of this ancient style in the modern craft beer scene. This seismic shift in Gose's popularity is not just a fluke but rather a testament to the evolving tastes of beer enthusiasts and the adaptability of craft brewers worldwide.

The revival kicked off in earnest in the early 2000s when a small but influential set of breweries started experimenting with this nearly forgotten style. They recognized Gose's unique flavor profile as an uncharted territory ripe for exploration in an increasingly crowded craft beer market. In this period of revival, American breweries played a crucial role, taking the traditional German blueprint and injecting it with a dose of creativity. They began incorporating a range of unconventional ingredients, from fruits like passionfruit and guava to herbs and even sea salt sourced from different parts of the world, each adding a new dimension to the classic Gose.

This innovation extended beyond just ingredients. Brewing techniques themselves underwent refinement, with brewers carefully controlling the fermentation process to dial in the precise balance of sourness and saltiness that Gose is renowned for. Techniques such as kettle souring, which allows for a more rapid and controlled souring process, became commonplace. This not only preserved the essential character of the beer but also allowed for consistent, high-quality production.

The appeal of contemporary Gose has grown significantly, with beer drinkers drawn to its refreshing taste and moderate alcohol content, making it a perfect choice for a variety of occasions. Its rise in popularity is reflected in the increasing visibility of Gose in craft beer competitions, beer festivals, and on the shelves of bottle shops across the globe.

Through this journey of revival and reinvention, contemporary Gose exemplifies the craft beer industry's ability to breathe new life into historical styles. It stands as a vibrant celebration of tradition melded with innovation, inviting beer lovers to experience a taste that is both rooted in history and boldly modern.

Key Ingredients in a Contemporary Gose

Diving into the heart of what makes a Contemporary Gose stand out, the key ingredients play a pivotal role in shaping its unique flavor profile. I'll outline these essential components, providing a clearer understanding of their function and impact.

Firstly, malted barley and wheat form the base of any Gose. These grains are crucial, with wheat often making up 50% or more of the grain bill. This high wheat content contributes to the beer's characteristic cloudy appearance and smooth mouthfeel.

Coriander seeds are another signature ingredient. They're not just a random choice; they impart an earthy, citrusy nuance that complements the beer's tartness perfectly. The use of coriander extends back to the beer's ancient roots, preserving a piece of brewing history in every sip.

The inclusion of salt might seem unusual for a beer, but it's what gives Gose its distinctive taste. The salt level is carefully balanced to enhance the beer's flavor without overwhelming it, adding a dimension of saltiness that works surprisingly well against the backdrop of sourness.

Lactobacillus bacteria are introduced during the brewing process for the souring effect. This controlled souring method, often referred to as kettle souring, allows brewers to precisely adjust the beer's pH level, achieving the desired tartness that defines a Gose.

Lastly, modern interpretations of Gose often feature additional flavorings such as fruit purées, herbs, or even sea salt varieties, offering a creative twist on the traditional recipe. These additions can range from raspberry to cucumber, enabling brewers to experiment with the beer's flavor profile and introduce beer enthusiasts to new and exciting variants.

The key ingredients in a Contemporary Gose—malted grains, coriander, salt, lactobacillus, and often creative flavor additions—combine to create a beer that's as complex as it is refreshing. This blend of traditional and innovative elements showcases the craft beer industry's dedication to both respecting heritage and pushing boundaries, capturing the essence of what makes a Contemporary Gose truly remarkable.

Popular Contemporary Gose Breweries

Following the insights into how the key ingredients of a Contemporary Gose blend tradition with innovation, I find it fascinating to explore the breweries that excel in crafting this unique beer style. These breweries not only honor Gose’s rich heritage but also push the boundaries of flavor and experimentation. Here, I highlight a few notable names that have garnered attention and acclaim in the craft beer community:

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, located in Delaware, USA, is renowned for their inventive approach to brewing. Their "SeaQuench Ale" stands out as a session sour mash-up of a crisp Kolsch, a salty Gose, and a tart Berliner Weiss brewed in sequence with black limes, sour lime juice, and sea salt, making it a must-try for Gose enthusiasts.
Anderson Valley Brewing Company, based in California, offers an array of Gose beers under their "Gose Series." Their "Blood Orange Gose" is particularly beloved for its refreshing balance of tartness, saltiness, and the sweet, citrusy burst of blood oranges.
Leipziger Gose, operating from the heart of the style's origin, Leipzig, Germany, faithfully produces traditional Gose beers. They captivate traditionalists and new fans alike with their adherence to historic brewing methods while subtly introducing modern twists.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., also in California, brings a creative spin to their Gose offerings. Their "Otra Vez" combines prickly pear cactus and grapefruit for a tangy and slightly sweet variation that's distinctly refreshing and embodies the brewery's innovative spirit.

These breweries, among others, play a pivotal role in the contemporary Gose landscape. They adeptly balance respect for the style's origins with a forward-looking approach to brewing, ensuring that each sip delivers both a nod to history and a taste of the brewers' creativity. As the popularity of Gose continues to rise, these breweries stand at the forefront, inviting beer lovers to explore the complexities and nuances of this fascinating beer style.

Pairing Food With Contemporary Gose

Pairing food with contemporary Gose introduces a fascinating aspect of enjoying this unique beer style. The blend of sourness, saltiness, and coriander in Gose, along with innovative flavor additions like fruit purées and herbs, sets an exciting challenge for creating complementary food pairings.

Seafood

Seafood stands out as a top pairing choice for Gose. The beer's crisp acidity and saltiness enhance the delicate flavors of fish and shellfish. Grilled shrimp, steamed mussels, and fresh oysters particularly shine when accompanied by a glass of Gose, as the beer's salty and sour profile echoes the ocean's briny qualities.

Charcuterie and Cheese

The complexity of contemporary Gose also pairs well with a diverse range of cheeses and charcuterie. For cheese, options such as goat cheese, feta, and mozzarella benefit from Gose's acid profile, leading to a palate-cleansing effect. Meanwhile, salty and fatty meats like prosciutto and salami are balanced by the beer's tanginess and slight coriander hint, making for an irresistible pairing.

Spicy Dishes

The tangy and slightly salty character of Gose cuts through the heat of spicy foods, offering a refreshing respite. Dishes like Thai curries, Szechuan cuisine, or even spicy tacos find a harmonious counterpart in contemporary Gose, as the beer's acidity and carbonation provide a cooling effect on the palate.

Fruit-Based Desserts

Lastly, contemporary Gose with added fruit flavors can be a delightful pairing with fruit-based desserts. Tart berry pies, lemon tarts, and fresh fruit salads can be enhanced by Gose's complementary fruit notes, creating a pairing that doubles down on the refreshing and tangy aspects of both the beer and the dessert.

In my experience, the key to successful food pairing with contemporary Gose lies in embracing the beer's distinct attributes. Its unique blend of flavors provides a versatile canvas for a wide range of dishes, offering a culinary adventure that elevates dining experiences. Whether sipping alongside seafood, enjoying with a charcuterie board, tackling spicy dishes, or finishing with a fruit-forward dessert, Gose demonstrates its prowess as a flexible and flavorful companion to various culinary delights.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Gose become popular again?

Gose saw a resurgence in popularity in the early 2000s, with American breweries playing a pivotal role in experimenting with unconventional ingredients and refining brewing methods to appeal to contemporary tastes.

What are the key ingredients in a contemporary Gose?

The key ingredients in a contemporary Gose include malted barley, wheat, coriander, salt, and lactobacillus bacteria. Brewers also often add creative touches like fruit purées and herbs to introduce innovative flavors.

Why has contemporary Gose gained popularity?

Contemporary Gose has gained popularity due to its refreshing taste and moderate alcohol content. Its unique flavor profile, balancing sourness with saltiness, makes it appealing to a wide audience looking for an alternative to traditional beers.

What foods pair well with Gose?

Gose pairs exceptionally well with a variety of foods, including seafood, cheese, charcuterie, spicy dishes, and fruit-based desserts. Its versatility offers a wide canvas for culinary experiences, enhancing flavors in both the beer and the food.