In the can: Blood Orange Gose is quite pretty — golden and clear, with a light pinkish hue that presumably comes from the fruit. The beer smells like a tart cross between Sweet Tarts candy and citrus (think lemon and a young tangerine), but with light, welcoming honey notes. As with any gose, the first and most identifiable taste is the sourness: lots of that bright lemony eye-opening punch. But the sourness remains relatively contained, and rather than mouth twisting, it winds up quite refreshing. It becomes even more so as the flavor segues into a subtle orange that nails the back of the tongue with a slight rind-like bitterness and tickles the front of the tongue with a citrusy zest. Blood Orange Gose is a refreshing and deeply interesting trip.
Drink it with: Gose is a wonderful food beer: bright, tangy and palate cleansing, but able to stand up to the richness of holiday foods. The moderate alcohol and ample flavor don’t compete; they become a beautiful complement.
Find it: Available in six-packs of 12-ounce cans at better beer stores.
About the Author