Freigeist Geisterzug Gose
What the brewers say
“Based on a recipe dating back at least 600 years, this is Freigeist’s quirky version of the nearly extinct traditional sour beer of Leipzig. “Geisterzug” (“Ghost Train”) Spruced Gose is unusually complex, funky, and full-bodied.”
What our panel thought
Aroma: “Moderate fruity peach and orange, with light citrus notes. The nose is a blend of lemon tartness with some spruce/pine-like mint character. Slight earthiness and a note of fresh straw, as well as a medium bread or yeast character.”
Flavor: “Medium spicy and dry flavor up front, with a moderate spruce and mint earthiness that extends well into the finish. Subtle wild notes and slight funk. A biscuit sweetness from the malt, and a medium body. Lightly salted, with low carbonation. A good combination of maltiness and earth tones.”
Overall: “Earthy, with light spices that dominate the flavor, as well as a light sourness and medium sweetness. It’s an unexpected pairing of spruce tips with a tart base beer, and the combination works better than spruce pale ales.”
