Sips and Guzzles

Sour beers...you love 'em or hate 'em. There does not seem to be any middle ground. I love them on a hot summer day. Now melon brewed beers... again love 'em or leave 'em. I’m a leaving type.

By accident about a month ago I had an Anderson Valley Briney Melon Gose. I asked for a gose at a local BBQ joint not realizing I would get a melon one. Right off you could taste the watermelon, but not in an offensive way. I find other melon flavored beers have a floral/soapy aftertaste to me. This one did not. It was very refreshing and the briney saltiness reminded me of a good margarita. After doing some digging, I was able to find it in a can at a local beverage mart.

I had it again at home, and it was just as good as I remember. I think it would work well in a summer beer pairing menu. Match it up in an appetizer course with a hearty cracker and hummus or stinky cheese. Or pair it with a fish course of salmon, either grilled or roasted with fennel.