Gose

A pale, lightly tart wheat beer with soft acidity, subtle salinity, and light coriander spice. Smooth and refreshing. Compared with Berliner Weisse, it adds mineral and spice accents that broaden the profile beyond simple lactic refreshment.

Defined by the combination of salt and coriander with gentle acidity and a light body.

Also known as: Leipziger Gose; Gose Ale
Family: Sour & Funky Beers - Sour, tart, wild, or mixed-fermentation beers
Variant of Sour Ale - Within the Expressive Ales, defined by a clearly dominant sensory driver such as hop intensity, yeast expression, strength, or acidity.
Variant influence: Light sour ale incorporating salt and coriander, creating a savory and refreshing sour profile.
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ABV, IBU and colour

This section summarises the typical alcohol strength, bitterness level and colour range of Gose within the GBI model.

ABV: 4,1%
IBU: 12
Colour: 2,3 SRM / 4,4 EBC

Taste profile

The sensory profile below shows the typical intensity range of the 15 core flavour dimensions.

Colour:
Pale straw Pale yellow
Clarity:
Slight haze Hazy
Aroma – Malt:
Low Medium
Aroma – Hop:
Low Medium
Aroma – Yeast:
Low Medium
Aroma – Special:
Low Medium
Sweetness:
Low Medium
Sourness:
Medium High
Bitterness:
Low Medium
Body:
Low Medium
Astringency:
Low Medium
Carbonation:
High Very high
Alcohol Strength:
Low Medium
Finish Length:
Short Medium
Oxidation:
None Low

Tart, refreshing, and lightly herbal with lively carbonation.

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What gives Gose its character

These structural drivers help shape its characteristic sensory profile.

  • Very high attenuation converts a large share of fermentable extract, strongly reducing residual sweetness and body while supporting alcohol formation and a dry finish.
  • Sharp, fast-developing lactic acidity from kettle souring.
  • A high priming rate contributes a strong increase in natural carbonation.
  • A high wheat share strongly increases haze potential.
  • Pilsner malt provides a pale grain base with relatively restrained malt aroma.
  • Mixed fermentation contributes additional yeast-derived aroma complexity.
  • A chloride-forward balance supports a fuller, slightly sweeter palate while softening perceived bitterness.
  • Protein-rich material contributes to haze.

History

Revived from near extinction after originating around Leipzig.

How Gose compares to other beer styles

This comparison shows meaningful differences in sensory ranges and style character based on the GBI data.

Gose vs Berliner Weisse

Compared with Berliner Weisse, Gose has:

  • more intense special aroma

Other differences:

  • The color range of Gose extends to lighter shades.
  • Gose uses coriander.
  • Gose includes salt.

Gose vs Sour Ale

Compared with Sour Ale, Gose has:

  • a lighter color
  • more intense special aroma
  • sweeter
  • more bitter

Other differences:

  • Sour Ale can be clearer.
  • The hop aroma range of Sour Ale extends to lower intensities.
  • The yeast aroma range of Sour Ale extends to higher intensities.
  • Sour Ale can be less highly carbonated.
  • Sour Ale can have a stronger alcohol impression.
  • Sour Ale can have a longer finish.
  • Sour Ale can have funky yeast notes. Both styles have sour Fermentation yeast notes.
  • Sour Ale can use American ale yeast; mixed Fermentation is part of the regular profile of Gose, but optional for Sour Ale.
  • wheat is part of the regular profile of Gose, but optional for Sour Ale; both styles include barley.
  • Gose uses coriander.
  • Gose includes salt.
  • Gose is bottle-conditioned.

Compare Gose with another beer style

Choose any GBI beer style to compare sensory ranges and style character.

Want to explore the underlying data in more detail? Compare styles in the GBI Explorer →

Related styles

Other variants within the same style group as Gose.

Best food pairings for Gose

These food pairings complement the dominant sensory traits of Gose.

  • Seafood
  • Salads
  • Salty snacks

Service & Aging

Practical guidance for serving and handling Gose.

Serving notes
Serve cold · Highly carbonated
Pouring technique
Normal pour
Aging potential
Best fresh
Common faults
Excessive salt · Acetic sourness
Style details
  • Origin: Germany — Originating from German brewing traditions.
  • Glassware: Tumbler — Simple straight-sided tumbler commonly used for lambic, farmhouse ales, and rustic or sour styles.
    Tulip — Stemmed tulip glass that concentrates aroma and supports a stable head; ideal for aromatic ales and Belgian styles.
  • Serving: Draft — Served on draft.
  • Conditioning: Bottle-conditioned — Naturally carbonated in the bottle.
  • Aging vessel: Stainless — Aged or matured in stainless steel.
  • Packaging: Can — Packaged in can.

Commercial examples of Gose

The following commercial examples illustrate widely recognised expressions of Gose in the market.

  • Bayerischer Bahnhof Gose
  • Ritterguts Gose
  • Westbrook Gose

Gose – Competition winners and medalists

Medal winners for Gose from major beer competitions. Categories follow each competition's official classification and may include stylistically adjacent interpretations.

2026 competition results

World Beer Cup 2026

Gose

  • Gold – Aloha State of Mind – Cova Brewing Co. , United States
  • Silver – The Famous Gose - Morango E Pitanga – Cervejaria UNIKA , Brazil
  • Bronze – Frutabomba – Cruz Blanca Brewpub , United States

Source: World Beer Cup ( official website )

2025 competition results 9 medalists

Great American Beer Festival 2025

Contemporary Gose

  • Gold – Wild Pear – Blue Mountain Brewery , United States
  • Silver – Flower Child – UPP Liquids , United States
  • Bronze – Punk Fuzz – MachineHead Brewing Co. , United States

Source: Great American Beer Festival ( official website )

World Beer Cup 2025

Gose

  • Gold – Canoa Quebrada – 277 Craft Beer , Brazil
  • Silver – Gose – Four Generals Brewing , United States
  • Bronze – SMBW Basil Lemongrass Gose – Santa Monica Brew Works , United States

Source: World Beer Cup ( official website )

Brussels Beer Challenge 2025

Gose

  • Gold – NBeer Beijing Gose Modern – NBeer Craft Brewing Company , China
  • Silver – Jef Gosemans – Brauw , Belgium
  • Bronze – Goselina – Birrificio Legnone , Italy

Source: Brussels Beer Challenge ( official website )

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