Dionysus Super Funkadelic
December 1, 2016Dionysus Brewing Co.
Super FunkadelicBakersfield, California Style: Gose-Inspired Ale w/ Sea Salt & Coriander ABV: 6.5%
A gose-inspired beer fermented with Brettanomyces bruxellensis and Lactobacillus brevis, and hopped with Mosaic hops.


As hazy as it is, you might think that Super Funkadelic came from New England. But this gose-style ale hails from the Left Coast. It pours a muddy golden with large-ish bubbles comprising a rich, thick head. Tart and acidic notes rise from the glass. Bright, lemony flavors sing with the first sip, bringing expected tart notes. Coriander provides some balance and salt gives a relatively rich salinity that is present in both texture and flavor. Dry-hopped with Mosaics for extra fruitiness, Super Funkadelic tastes a lot like what might happen if you poured a traditional German gose over a bowl of Fruit Loops: slightly different yet indescribably delicious.
Lisa Morrison has been writing about beer for nearly 20 years. She also owns Belmont Station, a well-known bottle shop and taproom in Portland, Oregon.
It’s an odd color, a sort of murky grayish-gold, and raises a scant foam collar. The aroma is reminiscent of a hot dog with relish and maybe even some mustard. Acidity is a fascinating thing—like bitterness, it can be refreshing if focused, but it can also scour the palate unpleasantly if not. This acidity is of the tougher variety, and there’s plenty of it, along with some tropical fruit. If you loved SweeTARTS as a kid and have retained that affection, this is for you.
Garrett Oliver is the brewmaster of The Brooklyn Brewery, the editor-in-chief of The Oxford Companion to Beer, the author of The Brewmaster's Table and the veteran host of more than 900 beer dinners in 15 countries.