Beer #152 - North End / Become the Ocean

Beer #152 - W/C 22 January 2018

BREWERY // For the first two and a half years of North End, Kieran Haslett-Moore contract brewed beers at friends' breweries. In 2015, North End completed the construction of their own 2400 litre brewery in Waikanae and haven't looked back. The brewery was joined by a tap-room and restaurant, Salt & Wood, last year making the Kapiti Coast a real destination for fans of good beer. Kieran has been a beer writer and competition judge for over a decade so he has a pretty good idea what he is doing. The other two North End partners were formerly a waiter and a chef and, as Kieran is a former cheesemonger, they are especially interested in food friendly beers with a gastronomic character. North End take inspiration from historic and unusual styles and we are especially loving their Salt & Wood range of beers. Next month North End have their 5th birthday and they'll be celebrating with events across the country.

BEER // Gose takes its name from the river which flows from the Harz Mountains and through the town of Goslar in Lower Saxony. As the area is extremely rich in minerals, and especially salt, it is natural that the river carried them into the local groundwater supply. Meaning that the water drawn from wells by the brewers of Goslar was a little salty. They added coriander to balance the flavour and Gose remained a very popular speciality in the region until it became all but forgotten in the mid 20th century with the popularity of pilsner and weissbier. The style has seen a huge resurgence over the past decade with brewers adding everything from pine needles to coffee to modern versions. Become The Ocean is a very traditional take on the style, it is very balanced and not overly acidic. It harks back to the historic goses which would have been quaffed in Leipzig taverns hundreds of years ago. There is a delicate balance between lactic tartness, coriander spice and a touch of salt in this beer which is best paired with Sun and sea.

BREWERY // North End
BEER // Become The Ocean
STYLE // Gose
ORIGIN // Waikanae. Kapiti Coast
ABV // 5%
IBU // 6
TEMPERATURE // Cold - 5-7C
FOOD MATCH // Ceviche. Fries & Mayo. Oysters. A Plum. Actually, this pairs with everything.
GLASS // Stange, Flute

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