Vancouver Island Brewing Tidal Series: Grapefruit Agave Gose Gose at 5% ABV (C$7.99 at Oak & Vine, 650 ml, packaged on 18-May-2018, acquired 21-Jun-2018, reviewed 18-Jul-2018)
Appearance: hazy straw with one finger of loose off-white head diminishing rapidly to a thin ring, no lacing. (2/5) Aroma: wheat, grapefruit, melon, sulphur, brine. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, mild salt, low bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, crisp lightly salty finish. (4/5)
Pretty disappointing, overall. I guess the agave is the melon-like aroma I’m getting, which is interesting, but is also a little bit “too little, too late”. The mouthfeel is the clear winner here, and it ends up being refreshing despite the drawbacks in aroma and flavour. But those drawbacks certainly exist, particularly in the lightly sulphurous edge on the aroma. (And speaking as one who grew up on the water, the name ain’t helping much – when I hear “tidal”, I think “stinky shit left behind on the beach”.) (13/20)
6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
