Asking the Government to shrink beer pints? This Weekend in Beer!

In today’s email:

• Beer Quirky Fact - Beer as a soft drink?

• Beer Meme - Today’s beer meme!

• Beer News - New hops varieties, smaller pints, and more!

• Our Beer Snippet - Sodium and beer?

• Beer of the Day - Gose beers… daaamn, salty!

Don’t forget to visit our website to read more about beer and everything else:

In the news:

• The Society of Hop Research, located in Munich, Germany, grows new hop varieties to help fight the effects of climate change. The organization works on 7,000 new varieties that are designed to be seven to eight meters (23 to 26 feet) tall and strong enough to withstand a multitude of diseases and disasters thrown at them — like rising temperatures, drought, and the dreaded powdery mildew that can wipe out entire crops.

  

  Workers process hops at a farm in Huell near Wolnzach, Germany

  The hops scientists just have to decide which hops varieties should be used to decrease the risk of a bad year wiping out a farm’s entire harvest, and whether the latest breeds offer a new taste for the market, and if a specific type is particularly resistant to disease.

• The latest beer collaboration (New Fightin’ Hokies Orange Wheat beer) between Virginia Tech and Hardywood Park Craft Brewery is now available in grocery stores, restaurants, and bottle shops throughout Virginia. The beer will also be available across the nation in the following months.

  

  New Fightin’ Hokies Orange Wheat Beer

• Asking the Government to shrink beer pints? A startling discovery has prompted Cambridge University academics to urge the government to stop serving beer in pints as a way to curb Britain’s alcohol consumption. Their study revealed that beer consumption fell by 10% when pubs switched from pint glasses to glasses two-thirds the size. Researchers argue this reduction could significantly help combat various cancers and other health problems associated with excessive drinking.

  

• Converting a pub into a home denied for the 3rd time in England! For the third time, plans to turn a 500-year-old village pub into a home have been rejected. Mid Suffolk District Council’s planning committee stated that the Angel Inn, located on Debenham's High Street and closed since 2019, hadn’t been given the "chance to shine and prove its worth."

Our Beer Snippet - Learn More About Beer!

Sodium in beer is present in small amounts, typically ranging from 5 to 20 milligrams per serving, depending on the type and brewing process. While beer isn’t considered a significant source of sodium, it can add to daily intake, especially for those watching their salt consumption. The sodium content can slightly influence the flavor, with certain styles, like Gose, intentionally incorporating salt to enhance the taste profile. Overall, beer remains relatively low in sodium compared to other beverages.

The saltiest beer is typically Gose, a German-style sour beer that incorporates salt as a key ingredient. Traditional Gose beers can contain up to 1 gram of salt per liter, giving them a distinctively briny flavor. This style originated in the town of Goslar, Germany, and remains one of the few beers where salt is intentionally added during brewing.

Beer of The Day! - Gose

Gose (pronounced "GOH-zuh") is a historic German beer style that originated in the town of Goslar but became widely associated with Leipzig. Known for its unique salty and sour flavor profile, Gose is brewed with malted barley, coriander, and a touch of salt—typically around 1 gram per liter, although this can vary. The result is a tart, refreshing beer with a slightly briny finish.

There are many varieties of Gose, ranging from traditional versions to modern craft interpretations that incorporate fruit like raspberry, blood orange, or passionfruit. These additions bring new dimensions of flavor while maintaining the classic balance of sourness and salinity.

Gose pairs beautifully with a variety of foods. Its bright acidity cuts through rich, fatty dishes like fried chicken or pork belly, while the salt accentuates the flavors of seafood, oysters, and even sushi. It also complements light, tangy dishes like salads with citrus vinaigrette or goat cheese.

Gose’s versatility and distinctive flavor make it a perfect beer for adventurous drinkers seeking something refreshing and complex. Cheers!