Judge's Review: 90 Rating - Hemp Gose by Goodwood Brewing Co.

Hemp Gose by Goodwood Brewing Co. was judged as a 30A, Spice, Herb, Vegetable beer with a base beer of a Gose (Historical Style). The base description on a gose from the BJCP website is as follows: A highly-carbonated, tart and fruity wheat ale with a restrained coriander and salt character and low bitterness.

In the aroma the first thing I notice is wheat and slightly honey-like malt. There is a low floral hop aroma, some of which could be contributed to by the hemp. I do get a low fruity tone and very low salinity.The color is pale gold with a slight haze. This is OK for a wheat beer. The head was white and fizzy, it was also quite low and had poor retention. In the flavor I get that low wheat-like flavor and a very mild earthy tone that has to be from the hemp. There is a definite tartness, which is quite pleasant. There is a noticeable amount of salinity that combines well with the tartness. What doesn't seem to fit is the earthy woodsiness that I think comes from the hemp. It is not bad, just not exactly fitting like a good puzzle piece. The bitterness is low as it should be. The balance is leaning towards the tartness. This beer is light-bodied and has a medium-light carbonation. It could be a bit more carbonated, but not much more. The rest of the body is as it should be, there is no astringency or alcohol warmth, but there is the slightest hint of creaminess to the beer, which is nice.

Overall, this beer is very good and I would certainly buy this. It would be fantastic on one of these warm summer days, as the afternoon fades to evening with that slight earthy and herbal tone. Granted it does the herbal note does separate itself from the rest of the beer, but, like I said, that's not necessarily a bad thing. It just doesn't seem to meld as well as it could. But in the end it's a mild, refreshing, tart and slightly salty beer.