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Lichtenhainer Ritterguts Weisse

Ritterguts Gose
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🌍 Germany · Sour Ale · One of 31 Sour Ales in hopIQ

A revival of the sour beer tradition of Jena, top-fermented from barley malt and oak-smoked wheat malt, with no salt or coriander; the brewery lists it as a Lichtenhainer, a historical Thuringian style. Straw yellow with a light haze, it combines subtle wood smoke with a velvety lactic sourness. The smoke stays in the background like a distant campfire, with a faint lemony tartness and grainy wheat beneath it. Lively carbonation lifts the body, and the finish is refreshingly sour and short.

ABV
4.3%
Bitterness
Mild13 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden5
See all Sour Ale alternatives →

AWARDS

World's Best Heritage Beer · 2023
World Beer Awards
Country Winner · 2023
World Beer Awards
Germany
Country Winner · 2022
World Beer Awards
Germany
★World's Best Heritage Beer — World Beer Awards
★Country Winner — World Beer Awards (Germany)
★Country Winner — World Beer Awards (Germany)
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Lean body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Soft bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

Crisp and dry.

A trim frame with a clean break — the beer says what it needs to and moves on.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Sour Ale.
Hop character
citrusy
Malt character
wheat
Fermentation & yeast
sour
tart
Distinctive notes
smoky
hazy

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Lichtenhainer Ritterguts Weisse

◎ Appearance

Straw yellow with a light haze, presenting a fine, cloudy veil from the top-fermented wheat and barley base. The head forms readily and holds with modest persistence. Lively carbonation carries visible bubbles throughout, giving the beer an animated, bright presence in the glass.

straw yellowlight hazefine carbonationmodest head

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with a restrained wood-smoke character, reminiscent of a distant campfire rather than assertive char. Beneath lies a subtle lactic tang paired with soft wheat grain, creating a harmonious balance. A faint lemony brightness lifts the profile without dominating.

smoked wheatlactic tartnessdistant smokelemon zest

◐ Taste

The palate entry is clean and bright, with the velvety lactic sourness settling into the mid-palate as the defining character. The smoked malt contributes a gentle, smoky undertone that complements rather than overwhelms the wheat's grainy foundation. Low bitterness from minimal hopping allows the sour and smoke interplay to remain the focal point.

velvety sournessgrainy wheat basesubtle smokelow bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is refreshingly sour and clean, concluding with a short, crisp aftertaste. The lactic character fades quickly, leaving no residual sweetness or heaviness.

sour and crispshort finish
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
77
Taste
79
Appearance
76
Finish
78
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Lichtenhainer Ritterguts Weisse

Serve at 6–9°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 6–9°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Lichtenhainer Ritterguts Weisse

About Sour Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Sour Ale?

Sour Ale is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Sour Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same sour, refreshing, smoky character as Lichtenhainer Ritterguts Weisse will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Sour Ales in hopIQ

Compare with another beer →Explore all Sour Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse Germany beers →