Spirit Cruises January 2023 Leaderboard

Beer Review: Westbrook Gose

by Jordan Davis on Oct 23, 2013 in Beer
Beer Review: Westbrook Gose

South Carolina’s Westbrook Brewing Company is an adventurous craft brewer with an excellent graphic artist working on its cans. The flagship beer, a variant on Belgian witbier called White Thai (ha ha), is light and lightly spiced, and one of the most pleasant-tasting craft beer you can get in a can. For a brewery that’s only been around since the turn of the decade, Westbrook is getting good placement; in New York City we’ve seen Westbrook White Thai, One Claw (a rye pale ale) and Gose in several corners, including a robust presence at Whole Foods.

What’s a Gose, you might ask? A style that predates the German purity laws and was grandfathered in to certain breweries in Leipzig, a Gose is a sour wheat beer brewed with salt and coriander and traditionally served in a very tall narrow glass. They say (“they” being the Internet) that in Leipzig the acidity is cut with a shot of Kummel, a caraway liqueur. Gose comes in around 4% ABV and 5 IBUs, so the kick of 38% ABV Kummel certainly does add something. You can find a Gose imported from Leipzig in many specialty stores, and it’s worth the money, especially if you have Kummel on hand — if you love sourdough rye, you’ll have an out of body experience when you try the two together.

Westbrook Gose is good but not otherworldly. It pours cloudy yellow with a perforated head. There’s a sharp lemony scent that is completely borne out by the first taste. This is no Mike’s Hard Lemonade. (By the way, what is that stuff? In the interest of journalism we tried one for this piece, and it was appalling. Sweet fizzy drinks shouldn’t be allowed to get you drunk.)

Westbrook Gose is not sweet. It’s basically an unsweetened lemon-flavored soda that knocks you down and drags you into the ocean. On its own, it’s strange and delicious, and the salty aftertaste may make you crave a second can. (Beware, and be sure to hydrate a little extra afterwards if you succumb.) Paired with a shot of Kummel, everyone we tried it on — except supertasters and the caraway-averse — found something to like.

Bringing lost or outlaw recipes back into circulation is a current trend in the craft beer world. For example, Dogfish Head has several beers in the Ancient Ales series currently on the market (Midas Touch, Theobroma, Sah’tea). We’ve also seen a Gruit on shelves and are hoping against hope to have someone pour us a definitive Three Threads someday. For now, Westbrook has the domestic Gose market to itself. Good for them. Try it out if you’re looking for something new.

Bottom photo by Jordan Davis

Recent Articles
spacer

Feedback

How are we doing? Tell us what you like or don't like and how we can improve. We would love to hear your thoughts!

*Name:
*E-mail:
*Suggestions:
 
Rittenhouse Goes Car-Free Every Sunday in September: Here are the Best Bars to Hit

Rittenhouse Goes Car-Free Every Sunday in September: Here are the Best Bars to Hit

Center City District will close the streets allowing pedestrians to enjoy outdoor seating, music, and activiti...read more ›

by Michelle Cryder Sep 6, 2024
Best Cocktail Bars at the Jersey Shore

Best Cocktail Bars at the Jersey Shore

We've rounded up all of the must-stop spots for sipping spirits by the beach, whether your vibe is dark and sexy or vibrant and divey....read more ›

by Drink Philly Aug 26, 2024
The Drink Nation Presents: The Home Bar Project

The Drink Nation Presents: The Home Bar Project

Have you ever dreamed of having an amazing home bar, filled with bottles you actually use and the tools you need to execute a fine crafted cocktail? E...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Nov 14, 2014
SPONSORED
Drink Nation Store Rectangle
Behind the Bar: Jillian Moore of My Loup

Behind the Bar: Jillian Moore of My Loup

This time on Behind the Bar, we interview bartender and bar manager Jillian Moore of My Loup. We chat with her about her cocktail menu, the effects of...read more ›

by Drink Philly May 13, 2024
Oltremare: Inside Look at their Amalfi Coast Inspired Cocktails

Oltremare: Inside Look at their Amalfi Coast Inspired Cocktails

Oltremare is the newest endeavor by Chef Townsend Wentz, located at 2121 Walnut Street, near Rittenhouse Square...read more ›

by Drink Philly Apr 22, 2024
Best Bars for Outdoor Drinking in Philadelphia, 2024

Best Bars for Outdoor Drinking in Philadelphia, 2024

We've got your definitive list of where to drink outside in Philadelphia...read more ›

by Drink Philly Apr 9, 2024
Philadelphia Distilling Launching Secret Pop-Up Cocktail Garden for Earth Day, April 11-21

Philadelphia Distilling Launching Secret Pop-Up Cocktail Garden for Earth Day, April 11-21

Philadelphia Distilling is transforming their fourth floor space into a secret garden to celebrate Earth Day, ...read more ›

by Drink Philly Apr 9, 2024
Dizengoff: Inside Look at the New Reimagined Restaurant, Bar, & Cocktails

Dizengoff: Inside Look at the New Reimagined Restaurant, Bar, & Cocktails

Last year, Dizengoff and Abe Fisher decided to join forces and embark on an exciting new chapter. After closin...read more ›

by Drink Philly Mar 5, 2024
Behind the Bar: Tom Foy of Butcher Bar

Behind the Bar: Tom Foy of Butcher Bar

In this installment of Behind the Bar, we sit down with bartender Tom Foy of Butcher Bar...read more ›

by Drink Philly Feb 19, 2024
48 Record Bar: An Inside Look at an Audiophile's Listening Room & Cocktail Bar

48 Record Bar: An Inside Look at an Audiophile's Listening Room & Cocktail Bar

48 Record Bar is the newest addition to the growing Listening Room trend in Philadelphia...read more ›

by Drink Philly Feb 19, 2024
SPONSORED
Drink Nation Home Bar Project Bottom Rectangle 2
View all Articles

Sign up to get weekly drinking news, bar reviews, events and more sent directly to your inbox!

Close