CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Birdsong Brewing’s love of sustainable practices is no secret. The brewery installed solar panels on the roof earlier this year, and their longtime environmental stewardship also takes the form of cleaning up creeks and working with local farmers.
So it makes perfect sense that the brewery would launch their newest seasonal offering — Sunshine Gose — at an Earth Day party in the taproom on April 21.
The beer is crisp, clean and tart, says lead brewer Jeff Bowman, reminiscent of a healthy dose of sunshine. Made with local lemon oil, Sunshine Gose is bright and refreshing with a note of salinity, lemon zest and a “very sessionable” 4.7% ABV (alcohol by volume), 20 IBU (International Bitterness Units).
“This recipe was created for my wedding this past September,” Bowman says. “I wanted a lighter option (from the Barleywine and Double IPA I was also offering), and had been working on the souring process and love a good Gose.
“I am drawn to the easy-drinking nature of Gose, and personally inspired by the level of dedication and innovation required to brew such a style,” he says. “We will be brewing a kettle-sour version, with two different fermentations taking place. It requires another level of precision, cleanliness and attention.”
Sunshine Gose will be available through June in 16 ounce four-packs and on draft in Charlotte, the Triad, Triangle and Western North Carolina. In South Carolina, it will be available in Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Columbia, Greenville and Spartanburg.
The Earth Day and Sunshine Gose release party on April 21 will run 1-6 p.m. at the taproom, 1016 N. Davidson St., Charlotte, and will feature Earth-friendly vendors and a special giveaway for those who take the light rail or ride share to the event. Hint: You’ll need them because your future is so bright.
Among the vendors on-site: Williams Subaru of Charlotte, Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation, 100 Gardens, King of Pops Charlotte, Renewable Energy Design Group, L3C and the NC Department of Environmental Quality.
Williams Subaru of Charlotte will be collecting items (used Keurig pods, chip bags/snack wrappers and disposable cups/lids) for TerraCycle that will be upcycled into something for the community either a park bench, picnic table or playground.
About Birdsong Brewing Company
Founded in 2011 from humble roots, Birdsong Brewing Co. has grown to become the Charlotte destination for culinary-inspired, super-fresh, unfiltered, American-style ale. Using locally-sourced ingredients and fully embracing musical (and sometimes whimsical) inspiration, Birdsong celebrates creativity with a new, weekly small batch release in the taproom every “Thursty Thursday.” Beloved by locals and sought-after by fans across the Carolinas, the third oldest and third largest brewery in the Queen City moved in 2015 to a 17,000-sq-ft building in Charlotte’s Belmont neighborhood. The 30-barrel brewhouse and taproom embodies the #CanDoWillDo philosophy behind what Birdsong brews, thinks and believes. For more information, visit birdsongbrewing.com.