Product Info

'Balla-Mara' (Scottish Gaelic for 'seawall') is a classic Gose (pronounced ‘Goes-uh’) with a Scottish twist. A modest dose of Blackthorn Scottish sea salt and East Lothian sea buckthorn bring about a sense of place and distinct character to this bright, zingy and refreshing sour beer. The sparingly dosed sea buckthorn means a bright straw colour is achieved with a bit of haze. You can smell the berry too. The aromas oscillate between citrus, piney and creamy esters. Some peachy and even pineapple notes come to mind. Pleasant memories of drinking Lilt as a kid in the summer pop up too. However, the dominant fruity note is citrus and a clean lemony one at that. Some floral aromatics arise from the freshly ground coriander but the Plantarum culture ascertains lemons as the overriding flavour. The salt, sourced from the inimitable Blackthorn, is subtle but it’s there. By the mid palate you get its delicate sweet and umami character and a touch of its tannic nature enthused by the hardy branches, which the Scottish sea water is filtered through. Dosed on the lower side of stylistic guidelines (88g/L) the flavours are muted, but the saltiness works its magic and makes for a dry and crisp, refreshing finish. Our second year brewing this beautifully delicate beer after it received such a great reception in 2024. Photos by Thomas Woods and Christina Riley Bottle artwork by Christina Riley.

4.8%