Gose is a style of beer that originated in Germany and is known for its unique combination of tartness, salinity, and subtle spiciness. While traditional Gose does not typically include fruit as an ingredient, modern craft breweries have embraced experimentation and have introduced various fruited variations of this style.
So, is Gose a fruit beer? Well, it depends on how you define a fruit beer. If we consider a fruit beer to be any beer that incorporates fruit as an ingredient, then yes, fruited Gose can be categorized as a fruit beer. However, it's important to note that not all Gose beers are fruited, and the addition of fruit is not a defining characteristic of the style.
One popular fruited Gose variation is the Bear Berry Gose, which typically includes additions of fruit puree and other flavorings. These additions are made after the primary fermentation is complete, allowing the beer to rest on the fruit for a period of time, picking up the fresh fruit flavors. This process is similar to the way fruit is added to other fruit beers, such as sour ales or fruit-infused IPAs.
When brewing a fruited Gose like Bear Berry, relatively large amounts of fruit puree are added to the fermentation tank. This ensures that the beer has enough contact with the fruit to absorb its flavors. The exact amount of fruit used can vary depending on the desired intensity of the fruit character in the final beer.
After the fruit is added, the beer is allowed to rest on the fruit for a while, typically for a few days to a couple of weeks. During this time, the beer undergoes a secondary fermentation, as the fruit sugars are consumed by the yeast. This fermentation can contribute to the overall flavor profile of the beer, adding complexity and depth.
Once the desired fruit character has been achieved, the beer is typically transferred to another vessel for packaging, such as kegs or bottles. It is important to note that even though the fruit sugars have been fermented, the beer may still retain some residual sweetness from the fruit. This can contribute to a perceived fruity sweetness in the final product.
In terms of taste, fruited Gose beers like Bear Berry can vary depending on the specific fruit used. The fruit flavors can range from bright and citrusy to rich and jammy, depending on the fruit's natural characteristics and the brewing process. The tartness of the Gose style complements the fruit flavors, creating a refreshing and balanced beer.
While Gose is not traditionally a fruit beer, fruited variations of this style have become increasingly popular in the craft beer scene. Beers like Bear Berry Gose incorporate large amounts of fruit puree and flavorings after primary fermentation, allowing the beer to absorb the fresh fruit flavors. The result is a delicious and unique beer that combines the tartness of Gose with the vibrant fruit character.