How To Brew Bière de Garde: French Fields to Old Farmhouse Ales
Bière de Garde, which roughly translates to “beer for keeping” is a beer brewed in late fall/early winter and stored during the cold winter months.
This kept the risk of the beer becoming infected low.
Usually this is a style that is consumed later during the spring months. This method was also practiced when brewing was not encouraged during the warmer months of the year.
French Beer with a German Influence
Bière de Garde was originally brewed on the French side of the France/Belgium border and Saison was brewed on the Belgian side.
While the Belgians kept their beer light, fresh, crisp, and spicy, the French looked for a beer that was a bit richer and sweeter.
The French did not gravitate to the Belgian yeast, but instead found influence from the Germans with using yeast more associated with albier and kölsch.
The Old and Rustic
Thanks in large part to advanced brewing technology and modernization of society itself, much of the history of Bière de Garde is lost. Refrigeration also made it unnecessary to brew exclusively to the seasons.
As beer writer Nick Carr points out, “the old and rustic become synonymous with the unrefined and unsophisticated.”
Brasserie Duyck
World War I and II were not helpful to this already hurting beer style. It was’t until The Brasserie Duyck revived the Bière de Garde style in the 1950s.
This brewery was established in 1922 and followed the popular trends of the day; which included lagers. They also included a small amount of Bière de Garde to the brewing rotations.
Rustic Farmhouse
The popularity of the Bière de Garde style was contributed to the rustic Farmhouse creation of using champagne bottles with wire corks.
The packaging caught people’s eyes and people were now aware of the French brewing scene.
Style Profile for Bière de Garde
Appearance
The color can range from golden, coppery red, as well as deep brown. These color spectrums will depend on if the beer is Blonde, Amber, or Brown.
The color of the head will range from brilliant white, off white, or light tan depending on the color of the beer itself.
Head is well-formed and usually persistent.
This style is usually unfiltered, so clarity will range from brillant to hazy.
Aroma
Malt character is rich, sweet, and complex. Light toast and bread is present. Hop aroma is minimal if noticeable at all. May have some slight herbal, spicy, and/or peppery notes.
The blonde version will be malty, but missing the deep richness and complexity of the darker versions. Low to moderate esters may be present, but otherwise clean with stronger versions have some alcohol character.
Flavor
Malt flavor and intensity will increase depending on the beer’s color. Hops will be low medium in bitterness. All versions will be malty, but the darker versions will have an intense malt sweetness and the pale verison will have a noticable hop presence.
The beer’s finish is dry with hints of malt without being overly sweet.
Mouthfeel
Medium to med-light bloody with creamy smoothness. Carbonation can range from medium to high.
Tips for Brewing your own Bière de Garde
Grain
The grist of a ière de Garde will usually start with a high quality Belgian pilsner or pale malt. The base malt can be anywhere from 60 to 80 percent.
Specialty malts consists of Vienna, Munich, Caramel (for the darker versions) biscuit, aromatic, wheat, and a touch of chocolate or roast malt (again for the darker versions).
Hops
Since the hop profile for this style is pretty mellow, a restrained, low alpha acid, herbal, and earthy hop will be perfect for this style.
German noble varieties such as Saaz, Hallertauer, and Spalt. All of these choices give off a nice floral, spicy notes that work well with the soft lager-character of this beer style.
Yeast
This style of beer is usually fermented with German lager yeasts of a hybrid ale yeast used for Kolsch and Altbier.
White Labs French Ale WLP072 and German Ale Kolsch WLP029 and Wyeast French Saison 3711, Bohemian Lager 2124, Kolsch 2565 are all good choices.
Fermentis Saflager W34/70 or Lallemand Danstar Belle Saison if you want to go the dry yeast route.
Bière de Garde By the Numbers
- Color Range: 9 – 19 SRM
- Original Gravity: 1.060 – 1.080 OG
- Final Gravity: 1.008 – 1.016 FG
- IBU Range: 18 – 28
- ABV Range: 6.0 – 8.5%
Bière de Garde Recipe
Grain
- 60% 8 lbs Pale Malt Belgian
- 15% 2 lbs Vienna Malt
- 15% 2 lbs Munich I
- 3% 8 oz Aromatic Malt
- 7% 1 lb Honey
Hops
- 2 oz Tettnang – Boil – 60 min
- 1 oz Hallertauer – Boil – 15 min
- 1 oz Tettnang – Boil – Flameout
Yeast
- 1.0 pkg French Saison Wyeast Labs #3711
Directions
- Mash at 152°F (66°C) for 60 mins
- Boil for 60 mins
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bière de Garde?
Bière de Garde is a traditional French farmhouse ale that originated in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region. This style of beer was traditionally brewed in farmhouses in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.
It is known for its warm fermentation and prolonged cold storage, which results in a beer that is malt-forward, yet well-balanced with a clean, dry finish.
How is Bière de Garde different from other types of beer?
The distinctiveness of Bière de Garde lies in its brewing process and its historical significance.
Unlike other beers, Bière de Garde undergoes a warm fermentation followed by a prolonged cold storage, which contributes to its unique flavor profile.
Moreover, its rustic farmhouse origin gives it a historical and regional identity that sets it apart from other beer styles.
What are the key ingredients in a Bière de Garde recipe?
A typical Bière de Garde recipe includes a mix of Pilsner malt, Munich malt, and a variety of specialty malts to achieve its characteristic malty sweetness.
Additionally, noble hops are used to provide a subtle hop flavor and aroma. The most crucial ingredient is the Bière de Garde yeast, which imparts the unique taste and allows for the traditional fermentation and aging process.
Where can I find Bière de Garde near me?
To find Bière de Garde near you, consider visiting local breweries, beer bars, or specialty liquor stores.
You may also explore online platforms that offer Bière de Garde delivery near you. Some platforms may even offer same-day delivery for your convenience.
Additionally, engaging with local beer communities or forums can also be a way to discover places where Bière de Garde is available.
Can I brew my own Bière de Garde?
Absolutely! Brewing your own Bière de Garde at home is a rewarding experience. With a good recipe, the right ingredients, and a bit of patience during the fermentation and aging process, you can create your own rendition of this classic French farmhouse ale.
You may also experiment with different malts, hops, and yeasts to achieve a Bière de Garde that suits your taste preferences.
Former President of my homebrew club, Plainfield Ale and Lager Enthusiasts (PALE) in the western suburbs of Chicago, IL. I brew on my BIAB system with my incredibly patient and understanding wife, adorable 9 year old daughter, and 12 year old brew dog.
