Malt aroma & flavor
Malt aroma and flavor is not present to very low
German Origin Ale Styles
Contemporary-Style Gose
Ale · Usually straw to medium amber and can take on the color of added fruits or other ingredients such as darker malts.
What to expect
Malt aroma and flavor is not present to very low. Hop character: Very low to low.
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
3–9
Pale / strawBlack
Usually straw to medium amber and can take on the color of added fruits or other ingredients such as darker malts. · Illustrative colors on the shared, uneven SRM scale.
Explore styles overlapping this color rangeAlcohol · ABV
4.4–5.4%
Reference scale, not a limit on official guideline values.
Bitterness · IBU
5–30
Measured bitterness; perceived bitterness is described in the guideline below.
Brewers Association 2026 · Printed guideline page 19 · PDF page 28. Color graphics are illustrative.
The guideline, in detail
Official style attributes, including what may be present and what should be absent.
Hop aroma & flavor
Very low to low
Perceived bitterness
Not present to medium
Body & mouthfeel
Low to medium-low
Clarity
Clear to hazy. Haze may or may not result from yeast
Color
Usually straw to medium amber and can take on the color of added fruits or other ingredients such as darker malts.
Fermentation characteristics
Horsey, leathery, or earthy aromas contributed by Brettanomyces yeasts may be present but at low levels as these beers do not undergo prolonged aging. Contemporary Gose may be fermented with pure beer yeast strains, or with yeast mixed with bacteria. Alternatively, they may be spontaneously fermented. Low to medium lactic acid character is present in all examples expressed as a sharp, refreshing sourness.
Additional guideline notes & competition context
Contemporary-style Gose may be brewed with malted or unmalted barley, wheat, and oats. Contemporary examples may also contain other grains. As in traditional examples, low level salt (table salt) and coriander additions may or may not be present in Contemporary Gose. Attributes from the use of a wide variety of herbs, spices, flowers, fruits, or other ingredients not found in traditional Leipzig-Style Gose may also be present and in harmony with overall flavor profile. When using these guidelines as the basis for evaluating entries at competitions, brewers may be asked to provide supplemental information about entries in this category to allow for accurate evaluation of diverse entries. Such information might include any herbs, spices, fruit, or other added ingredients, and information about the brewing process.
Technical specifications, including gravity
Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.036-1.056 (9-13.8 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.008- 1.012 (2.1-3.1 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 3.5%-4.3% (4.4%-5.4%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 5-30 • Color SRM (EBC) 3-9 (6-18 EBC)