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Lichtenhainer Spezial

Ritterguts Gose
Germany·Sour Ale·Rank 36 of 38 · The Best German Sours
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A Lichtenhainer in the brewery's own classification and a draught-only variant of the Lichtenhainer Ritterguts Weisse, built on the same smoked wheat malt base and seasoned with bergamot peel and Timut pepper. The oak smoke of the original stays in the background, while bergamot adds a floral citrus top note and the pepper brings a grapefruit-like freshness with a slight tingle. The lactic sourness is soft, the body light, and the finish dry with a lingering trace of smoke and citrus peel.

ABV
4.3%
Bitterness
Mild
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden5
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
floralspicycitrusy
floral
spicy
citrusy
sour
smoky
wheat
Aroma
The nose opens with floral and citrus notes from bergamot peel, accompanied by a subtle grapefruit-like freshness from Timut pepper.
also:tart
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,vanilla

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Lichtenhainer Spezial

◎ Appearance

Pale golden hue with a delicate, off-white head that leaves fine lacing on the glass. The beer presents itself with bright clarity and lively carbonation that sustains a steady stream of fine bubbles throughout the pour.

pale goldenbright, clearfine lacinglively carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with floral and citrus notes from bergamot peel, accompanied by a subtle grapefruit-like freshness from Timut pepper. Beneath this top layer, restrained oak smoke from the smoked wheat malt provides a grounding backdrop without overwhelming the composition.

bergamot, floral citrusgrapefruit brightnessoak smoke, restrainedlactic tartness

◐ Taste

Entry brings soft lactic sourness balanced against the light body and the peppery warmth of the Timut. Mid-palate unfolds with bergamot's subtle floral sweetness, while the pepper imparts a pleasant tingle and a grapefruit-like zest that keeps the palate alert and refreshing.

soft sournesspeppery tinglelight-bodiedcitrus brightness

◑ Finish

The finish dries cleanly with a lingering trace of smoke and citrus peel, fading to a subtle peppery warmth. No residual sweetness intrudes—the aftertaste remains composed and gently herbal.

dry finishsmoke and citrus peellingering warmth
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
77
Taste
78
Appearance
80
Finish
76
Serve at 6–9°C

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

Pint glass

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

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Lichtenhainer Spezial

More from Ritterguts Gose

Bärentöter
Lichtenhainer Ritterguts Weisse
Original Ritterguts Gose
Ritterguts Spezial
Urgose Märzen
Urgose Märzen
Gose
5.5%·Lightly bitter
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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 dry, floral, spicy character as Lichtenhainer Spezial will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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