Ingredient Insight: Sierra Nevada launches a gose with cactus fruit

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is launching Otra Vez, a gose-style ale that will join the brewery’s year-round lineup. Otra Vez means “another time,” and for Sierra Nevada that time is the days of early California when beers were made from local ingredients. The brewery did trials of various native produce in its search for great flavors. Prickly pear cactus flourishes in the state’s arid deserts, and grapefruit fills the Central Valley’s flats. Together their fruity-tangy blend makes Otra Vez pop with character, the tartness of which is true to the gose style.

“We wanted to make one of the easiest drinking craft beers out there, and funny enough Otra Vez has been a bear to get just right,” said Ken Grossman, Sierra Nevada’s founder. “We brewed several test batches a week for nearly a year, and even delicate changes made a big difference. Then it all clicked with perfect balance and complexity. We think folks will really enjoy it.”

Otra Vez clocks in at a sessionable 4.5 percent alcohol by volume, and its extremely low bitterness allows the prickly pear cactus, grapefruit and pinch of coriander to shape a bright and refreshing finish. Otra Vez will be available throughout Sierra Nevada’s nationwide distribution footprint in 12-ounce bottles, 12-ounce cans and on draft. The beer will land on store shelves in January 2016.