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First Draught – Schlafly: Gooseberry Gose

There's no denying that the Ibex brand has rejuvenated Schlafly. The Ibex Rare and From the Ibex Cellar Series have been highly anticipated and well regarded by beer enthusiasts that now eagerly await each new release. The brewery too seems to have a pep in its step as they are now being lauded not just for their longevity in St. Louis but for the quality and creativity of their offerings as well.

The latest From the Ibex Cellar series beer is Gooseberry Gose, a 4.5% ABV sour wheat ale made with sea salt, coriander and gooseberries. It's a big change from the first two releases in the series, the Imperial Bourbon Stout and the Imperial Coffee Stout, as it's a much lighter offering just in time for summer. The brewers added gooseberries for a modern twist on this historical style.

When I tasted the gooseberries, it tasted similar to a ground cherry. It had a nice subtle sweetness to it that will pair well with the acidity and saltiness of the gose. - Head of Brewing Operations Emily Parker

Keep an eye out because this one is available at brewpubs NOW and will be hitting shelves next week. See our thoughts on the beer below.

Cheers!

Brewery Schlafly
Location St. Louis, MO
Style Fruited Gose
 ABV 4.5%
 IBUs n/a
Distribution Info Available at brewpubs now. Available in stores next week.
Aroma
Soft sulfur/blackcurrant greets you when you pour the beer although it doesn't linger. When you take in the aroma from the glass, a subtle lemon note is present and spice from the coriander is right there with it. The wheat malt (which comes off as bread dough) is just slightly perceptible and in nice balance with the sour tartness you're able to find. Behind it all is the cherry-like gooseberry, which is the only semi-sweet note around.
Appearance
The beer is very cloudy (mostly from the malt but it's got depth from the fruit as well) and the color is pale gold. You can see bright carbonation and  the head on the beer forms a thin cap and actually sticks around which can't be said for a lot of beers in the same category.
Flavor
The moment the beer passes your lips, it's tart. Not mouth puckering tart but sour patch kid tart. As the beer moves back in your mouth, the fruitiness of the coriander and gooseberries try their best to bring sweetness into the equation with their flavors of lemon/lime and both sweet and sour cherry. The salt in the beer adds another layer of complexity, playing nicely with the sour notes and sticking to your lips. The crackery malt flavors are the last thing you taste on the back of your tongue, and they act as sort of a palate cleanser so you can take the next drink without hesitation. 
Mouthfeel
The body is surprisingly big, coming in at medium (almost medium+), and the carbonation is huge without being overwhelming.
Overall Impression
Schlafly may have brewed this one just to showcase their versatility. After brewing some 10% stouts, this 4.5% sour is a huge change in gears but it produced another solid weapon in their lineup.  The mouthfeel on this gose was awesome and made this a beer that you could drink for a while. A lot of sour styles can be acidic with carbonation that is too big for the body and none of that can be said of this one. The timing of this release is perfect because the flavors scream summer and it's refreshing as hell. This beer will definitely make its way to a lot of porches and patios soon.

 

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Justin Phelps

Justin Phelps

Co-Founder at Saint Brewis
Justin Phelps is a Certified Cicerone® who was born and raised in St. Louis. His passion for beer goes beyond just drinking it as he is also an award-winning home brewer. While he may be a marketing professional by day, he's a blogger, brewery hopper, and beer enthusiast by night.
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