DuClaw Brewing Company - Purple Passion

Gose (pronounced "go-suh") is a traditional German style of tart wheat beer that has become very popular in recent years among craft beer drinkers in the U.S., especially during the warmer months of the year. Though widely popular at one time in Leipzig and its original home of Goslar, the style was almost lost to history until its comeback began in the 1980s. Like the related style of Berliner Weisse, many versions of Gose, including our featured Purple Passion, use fruit additions to play off the beer's sourness, and this sourness also balances the malt sweetness without the need for a big dose of bittering hops.

Brewed with both passion fruit and blackberry, Purple Passion presents a pinkish-golden hue in the glass capped by a head of bright, effervescent foam, a bit like a rosé sparkling wine. Tart fruit is easily apparent in the aroma, riding atop a lightly acidic impression. If you're new to sour beers, the first sip might be bracing, but after a few sips your palate will adapt. Look for plenty of blackberry character, backed up by passion fruit and touches of citrus. White wine-like notes emerge, due to the combination of acidity and fruitiness, contributed also by Hallertau Blanc hops which deliver characteristic notes of gooseberry and white grape. Light touches of residual sweetness are easily balanced by the tart acidity, and there's a mild salinity offering an additional extra zing on the palate. (In Goslar, where the style developed, the water was somewhat salty, and this is reproduced in the modern world by the use of sea salt.) For pairing options, it's best to play off the tartness and fruitiness; we'd go with a blackberry balsamic glazed chicken, fish tacos with mango salsa, or a snack of crackers with fresh goat cheese. Cheers!

DuClaw Brewing Company was founded as a brewpub in 1996 by Dave Benfield, an accomplished home brewer. He got his start as a brewer in college, where having the ability to create alcoholic beverages can often pay considerable social dividends. But his interest in brewing continued beyond his college years and developed into a bit of an obsession. He took a position within his family’s business after graduating, but his passion for home brewing continued, eventually leading to his decision to start a brewpub.

When DuClaw opened its doors to the public in Bel Air, MD in 1996, the concept of a restaurant which serves its own microbrews crafted on a small in-house brewing system was, while not unique, still a very fresh and exciting business model. Within a year the local paper highlighted DuClaw as “Bel Air’s hippest establishment.” Over the succeeding years, Dave expanded the business, leading DuClaw to grow from a simple brewpub operation into a full package brewery. After outgrowing their original brewing location as well as a second location, DuClaw moved into a new brewing facility in Rosedale on Baltimore’s outskirts in 2013. Featuring over 60,000 sq. ft. of space, plus a custom-made and imported high-tech German brewing system, the brewery is well-positioned to grow into the future. For more info, call them up at 443-559-9900 or visit www.duclaw.com.