Bière de Garde Tasting Notes
Jenlain Blonde
Brasserie Duyck
Jenlain, France
On the lighter side of amber with a quickly dissipating head, the blonde has an aroma that reminds me of fresh-mowed grass, with a bit of toffee candy in the background. The taste is very gentle, with a hint of cola in the finish. A dry mouthfeel gives free rein to the roast malts with a touch of dry, not bitter, hops. This is a sweeter beer, with a lot of refreshing elements making it very enjoyable at 7.5%.
Jenlain Amber
Brasserie Duyck
Jenlain, France
This beer leaves a whipped cream head that hangs around for a while, coating the glass with Belgian lace. The nose is like a forest after a rainstorm, earthy and rich. A very rounded mouthfeel, with hints of nuts and caramel candy. It has a very bright and assertive hop finish with a decided taste of pine. This beer cries out for a hearty dish to offset it at 7.5%. The large bottles make this an easy beer to share.
La Choulette Ambrée
Brasserie La Choulette
Hordain, France
A beautiful beer to behold. Its color is a rich garnet with a slightly brown thick, dense head. The nose has a very earthy aroma with some undertones of toast. Hints of toffee in the flavor, with a light, refreshing hop dryness in the finish. Light body with a taste of malt throughout. A beer to savor at 8% and a great guest gift for the next dinner invitation.
La Choulette Blonde
Brasserie La Choulette
Hordain, France
This beer defines the use of the word “gold.” Absolutely brilliant and crystal clear, with a very large head that lingers for quite some time. There is that earthy, woodsy nose, like a forest after a thunderstorm. The mouthfeel is delicate, with subtle biscuit notes throughout. The finish has that herbal/piney note that seems the hallmark of this style. Next time the hostess offers wine, try this one on. It is gorgeously pleasing at 7.5%.
Acadie
Bayou Teche Brewing
Arnaudville, LA
A translucent, slightly amber color with a hint of brown in the head. The nose has a base of sweet wheat toast, with a slight herbal, floral top note. The flavor follows precisely with a rich sweet, nutty, candy flavor that fills the mouth. It ends with a dry, very clean finish with a suggestion of resin. The story is about the malt, with the hops playing a supporting role that keeps the overall profile excitingly complex. A rich collection of senses at 6% that comes together very well, perfectly complementing the spicy Cajun food of its home turf.
Coteau Rodaire
Bayou Teche Brewing
Arnaudville, LA
A farmhouse ale with a couple of improvisations; aged in French Sauvignon Blanc barrels, Coteau Rodaire is finished with orange peel just before bottling. The color shades toward orange with some amber added. The nose seems barely present, a surprise given the improvisations. A medium-bodied beer that rests lightly on the tongue, with light carbonation. The malt flavors so typical of this style are somewhat subdued. However, the wine barrels have imparted a slight tang, which is too often overdone when working with wine barrels. This beer has such a great lightness in the flavor that it is at once very refreshing and intriguing.
These tasting notes appear in the September 2014 issue of All About Beer Magazine. Read more about the bière de garde style here.
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