Sunday, April 12, 2009

Biere de Garde

Biere de Garde is malty farmhouse ale. The 2008 Beer Judge Certification Program Guidelines describe the overall impression of Biere de Garde as "A fairly strong, malt-accentuated, lagered artisanal farmhouse beer." BeerAdvocate.com states that, "[t]his style of beer is characterized by a toasted malt aroma, slight malt sweetness in flavor, and medium hop bitterness."

Biere de Garde resembles Saison. Brewers often describe both styles as farmhouse ales. A sales representative told me that the difference is that Saison is Belgian while Biere de Garde is French. I think that both originated in the Flemish regions of the two countries. The biggest difference in the tastes of the two beers is that Biere de Garde is maltier and sweeter while Saison is dryer, spicier, and generally fruitier and funkier.

Biere de Garde means beer for storing. It ages well.

I have sampled only two examples of the style. I highly recommend Southampton Biere de Garde.

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