Victory Kirsch Gose

The beer-style of Gose, a sour wheat ale brewed with salt and coriander, dates back to the early 1600s in Germany. During its heyday, it was one of the most popular regional styles of beer in Germany. But by 1988, Gose had become extinct not only in Germany, but throughout the entire world. Recently, Gose has experienced a bit of a renaissance with a handful of craft breweries producing their interpretation of the style.

Victory Brewing first started producing beer in 1996 in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, but its roots began much earlier - elementary school. The two would-be founders met each other on a school bus in 1973 when they were in the 5th grade. That budding friendship would eventually grow into a successful business. In 2013, Victory opened another brewery, which gave them the ability to revamp their lineup and expand their repertoire. The culmination of Victory's exploration is their Kirsch Gose simply described on the label as a "sour cherry bier."

The Kirsch Gose pours a clear scarlet with a pink head and considerable effervescence. On the nose, notes of bing cherries, lemon and seawater combine with aromas of vinegar and funky cheese. Flavors of cherry hard candy, green apple, sourdough bread and saltine crackers combine for a dry, puckering finish.

The confluence of sweet, sour and salty provides a thirst-quenching quality that is second to none. This highly-sessionable brew would pair well with ceviche, Gruyere cheese or a sunny spring afternoon.

A spring seasonal release, Victory Kirsch Gose is available in 4 packs and retails for $9.99. It is distributed locally by Heidelberg Distributing.

Fat Head's Bone Head Red

Upon its opening in 2009, Fat Head’s Brewery began as a modest brewpub on the outskirts of Cleveland.

In those first few years, Fat Head's gained a cult-like following throughout the country for its hop-centric offerings.

By late 2014, Fat Head’s had opened two additional breweries including a brewpub in Portland, Oregon in hopes of satisfying the demand for its award-winning beers.

The most recent award winner from Fat Head’s is its Bone Head Red, an imperial red ale that took home a silver medal at the 2014 World Beer Cup. A seasonal release, Bone Head takes the bold citrus and pine characteristics of the West Coast style of imperial IPA and amps it up by giving it a malty backbone.

Bone Head pours a deep auburn with an ivory head and thick lacing. Aromas of blood orange, pomelo and spruce combine with slight notes of fresh-baked bread. The palate offers tantalizing flavors of caramel, pine, tropical stone fruits and notes of wet soil that lead into crisp, long finish.

At 9.4 percent alcohol by volume, Bone Head is deceptively strong, so one should proceed with caution while enjoying this brew. It would pair well with dishes such as grilled marinated flank steak and pork chops served with a mango chutney. 

Bone Head retails for $12.99 a 4-pack and it is distributed locally by Cavalier Distributing