La Gosa Rita

La Gosa Rita by Lakefront Brewery is being judged according to the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 31B – Alternative Sugar Beer.

I am presented with a glass full of a lightly hazy yellow beer with rising bubbles that congregate momentarily on the surface before bursting and releasing their aromatic contents. Speaking of aroma, my initial sniff portends light sweet grainy malt, light salt water and medium-light lime. A tart yet refreshing first sip provides lightly sweet lime alongside some agave notes.

The bubbles increase their coverage on top of the beer as I rouse it between sniffs and sips but fail to completely cover the lid. Another few contemplative sips and sniffs yield soft agave underneath, without any hop character or bitterness, and a bone-dry finish. The body is light, and the carbonation is high.

Overall, the beer is certainly what it is described as, a margarita beer, but the malt is definitely a third wheel here. Some additional citrus fruit, particularly orange/tangerine/clementine, could also add complexity and give the impression of a Grand Marnier addition to the margarita.

All that is missing from this would-be margarita is the tequila, so I recommend pairing this with a well-curated tequila and a bowl of fresh, warm tortilla chips and homemade salsa.