I’m a sucker for puns, especially puns relating to 90s R&B stars, so I quickly grabbed a bottle of Heath Sweat. I’ve been pleased with all of the other Willows Family offerings and was keen to try their take on the gose style. Seems a tad pricey at $15 for a 4.5% brew, hopefully they’ve made it worth it.

Company: Willows Family Ales

Location: Tulsa, OK

ABV: 4.5%

Style/Description: Gose

Price: $15 (750ml)

Appearance: Pours a cloudy copper gold, with a light fluffy head and lace that falls quickly.

Nose: Tart citrus lemon aroma, with unsettling feta cheese underlying the fruit. Yep, there’s some salty sweaty flavors in there too.

Taste: Lots of lemon zest and orange juice here, a bit of pineapple and tropical, with spicy coriander and black pepper. Moderate savory salt notes that balance out some of the fruity sweetness, and a touch of the funky feta cheesiness promised by the aroma. Acidic and lightly gripping mouth, with a moderate fizzy carbonation and a light, dry body.

Finish: Mostly clean ending, mild fruity funk hesitates on the back of the palate, and clear out quickly.

Overall: Interesting brew here, unlike any gose I’ve tried before. Mostly saison flavors, with some added salt. Willows Family keeps putting out unique and entertaining beers, and this is no exception. I was a little worried about the cheesiness in the aroma, but it dissipated quickly and may have just been a trick of the salt and lacto.

Rating: 3/5