Name: Otra Vez

Brewery: Sierra Nevada Brewing

Style: Gose

Origin: California

ABV: 4.5%

If you’re new to craft beer, or just not overly adventurous, theres a pretty good chance you’ve never tried a Gose-style beer. I am a little embarrassed to admit just how long it took for me to stumble upon this style, but once I did I knew I was onto a winner. As unappealing as it may sound at the outset, sour beers are (more often than not) delicious.

Given how long it took me to try a Gose, I haven’t yet explored a ton of beers that fit the style. Of those I have tried however, Otra Vez is definitely one of the best.

As you can see in the image above, Otra Vez is pale and hazy. It has very little carbonation and doesn’t build much of a head. Its aroma is fairly generic, smelling like most lighter bodied beers.

Otra Vez’s thin and crisp body is a tremendous vehicle for a thirst-quenching flavor. A rush of sweetness is quickly followed by a sourness carrying a touch of bitterness. The grapefruit notes are a nice touch, rounding out the flavor profile and contributing the primary aftertaste. The sour and bitter aftertaste is fairly mild, but feels great against the palate.

While my experience with cactus is fairly limited, despite living in Texas, I have to say I enjoyed it. It’s a much more subtle flavor than say agave, and could easily be confused for a cucumber.

While I probably sound like a broken record, as someone who regularly has to deal with 100+ degree heat, I see Otra Vez as a great way to cut the heat and humidity of a Texan summer. With a relatively light 4.5% ABV and jarring, yet pleasant, flavor profile, Otra Vez should be a go-to hot day brew again and again, as the name suggests.

TL;DR

If you’re not a seasoned Gose drinker, I would highly recommend getting your feet wet with Sierra Nevada’s Otra Vez. If you are a seasoned Gose drinker, you should still pick up and try this. It is definitely one of my favorite Sierra Nevada brews.

Rating: 8/10

Question of the Day

What is your favorite Gose-style beer? Comment below and let me know!

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Learn more about Raspberry AF on Sierra Nevada’s website, Beer Advocate and Untappd.