Bayerischer Bahnhof Original Leipziger Gose

Brewed by Gasthaus & Gosebrauerei Bayerischer Bahnhof
Style: Traditional Ale
Leipzig, Sachsen, Germany

Gose (pronounced gozaah), is a wheat beer that is brewed with coriander and salt. What makes this beer so interesting, and unique is the fact that it does not follow the Reinheitsgebot or German Beer Purity Law of 1516. According to the Reinheistsgebot, only water, malts, hops, and yeast can be used in the brewing of beer. So how is it that gose can be brewed with coriander and salt? There are parts of Germany that never fully embraced the Reinheitsgebot, and continued to brew local styles. Because of their tradition and history, beers like gose were given a pass if you will, were allowed to be brewed as they always were. If you find yourself in Leipzig, and you love beer, then you must try Bayerischer Banhof Leipziger Gose. And what better place to try it than at the source itself? I did just that, when I visited the Gasthof and Gosebrauerei Bayerischer Banhof of Leipzig, Germany. This brewery/brewpub is located in what was a beautiful old train station, and the atmosphere, food, and of course the beer, are truly exceptional. This is a wonderful place to visit for lunch, dinner, or just to relax in the gosebierstub for a few beers. Banhof brews a number of styles, but gose bier is their specialty, and signature brew. Gose is a rare and world class beer, and it was well worth the trip to Leipzig to try this one at source. Leipziger Gose pours to a murky and hazy deep golden color with a tall and rocky white head, and a vibrant carbonation. The nose on this beer is fantastic with lots of spicy coriander aromas, and tangy citrus aroma. The palate is firm, with some good flavors of tart and quenching wheat malt,citrus lemon flavor, and peppery hints of coriander. Leipziger Gose finishes with more tart and quenching flavors up front, then ends with a very salty finish that lingers. This is such a refreshing, and delicious wheat beer that is very unique. I really enjoy the saltiness in this beer, it adds to the refreshing quality of this brew. At 5.2% abv it is the type of beer you can drink a few of, and one you will want to drink a few of. At the brewpub they serve it in a traditional gose bier glass, and it was the perfect beer to match with a lunch of local meats, sausages, and cheeses. I also tried a gose bier laced with Allasch which is an almond liqueur, and it made of any outstanding digestif. Great anytime, this beer like hefeweizen would also make the perfect aperitif, or summer thirst quencher. This beer is also available on the US market, retailing for about $3.50 a 1/2 liter bottle, so you don’t have to venture all the way to Leipzig, but any beer lover worth his salt in gose, really should some day.

Decent frothy white head with good carbonation. Spicey aroma with some light wheat and yeast overtones. Color is medium, slightly cloudy, golden orange. Flavor is quite smooth and good.

Aroma was of flowers and coriander. Appearance was a gold/copper color with a nice lacy head. Palate was light and smooth. It tasted salty, herbal, coriander. It was very refreshing. I could drink this all day long (if it weren’t expensive). This really hit the spot. I’d definitely get this again.

Big ridiculous bottle. One day I will find out why it’s in a ridiculous bottle. Anyway, this has got to be one of the coolest beers I have ever had. Amazingly refreshing, the salt was very nice. Poured out a clearish golden hue with a fluffy white head that dissapated to a gossamer cover on top. Lively , natural carbonation and a wonderful bouqet. Coriander spice and some sour-dough bread right up front. The beer is amazingly balanced with the salty acidic entry leading into a refreshing creamy texture that allows the spice and lactic elements to re-immerge and culminate with a clean finish. Wonderful with grilled fish and saffron rice. I will certainly buy more for this summer.

on tap at the brewery. pale orange wth a fairy floss head. plenty of coriander and a little lemon rind in the aroma. very soft texture. nice salty dryness mixed with some berliner weisse tartness. many thanks to ina for having her birthday drinks at this place. such an original and tasty beer, it was nice to be able to have a few of them old rating: excited to taste this after somehow missing it in 3 days of pub crawling around leipzig. aroma of witbier with salt logically enough. some marzipan and orange rind and then a salty dry finish with a little bad homebrew sourness

I'm told the brewer views this beer as being a style unto itself. Whatever. It's hazy, like an unfiltered hefeweizen and has coriander added like a witbier. Some citrus, yeast and mild pepper notes round out the flavor profile. Very nice! I'd drink this "hefewit" anytime.

I had this when it first came out and was really underwhelmed. Having had the opportunity to revisit the issue, I have definitely changed my tune. I got a milky pour, yellow and cloudy. The aroma was very yeasty - foot and cheese - but also spicy, fruity (pear, banana, peach) and wheaty. This carried through the palate. I was impressed with how well balanced it was, and how fresh. The salt actually seemed to bring a certain roundness to it the same way it brings a bowl of soup together. Fun beer.

yes, somebody ate some olives and poured the juice from the jar into a hoegaarden. the ultimate swilling session beer for me. and the unicum zwack-style bottle is one of the coolest i've seen (no matter how hard it is to pour without gurgling stupid amounts of foam).