Tag Archives: biere de garde

(SAINT SYLVESTRE’S) 3 MONTS GRANDE RESERVE SPECIAL ALE

Truly divine moderate-bodied Biere De Garde posing as mild yellow-hazed amber ale counters its sharp alcohol bite with earthen herbal-spiced fruitiness and lightly prickled champagne-like effervescence. White-peppered grassy hops bring leathery hay dryness to floral-perfumed lemon zest, herbal green tea bittering, and musty Belgian-like yeast fungi. Sweet clover-honeyed candi-sugared tropical fruiting, creamy banana-vanilla-butterscotch tandem, and lithe coriander-cinnamon spicing counter green apple tartness, white grape esters, and unripe plum souring as well as tertiary basil-thyme-sage hints at the midst. Serve to honey-wined mead fans as a sweeter alternative.

TWO BROTHERS DOMAINE DU PAGE FRENCH STYLE COUNTRY ALE

Rustic amber-coppered ‘biere de garde’ opens with gunky saison fruiting and dewy earthen fungi contrasting addictive caramel-toasted vanilla bean creaminess. Green apple tartness, red grape sweetness and navel orange tang counter dry grain bitterness. Flowery hop aromatics usurp warm maple tone, losing resilience and giving way to ashen acridity. Severe alcohol burn may turn off lighter thirsts. French-styled barleywine essence may be overstated.

(FRANCHES-MONTAGNES) ABBAYE DE SAINT BON-CHIEN

Deliriously savory burgundy-hued full body cost $21.49 for 1 pint 9 ounces of luxuriant 10% alcohol liquid. But that’s a bargain. Matured in Merlot, Cabernet, and Grappa vats, its expansive sharp citric hop plain and vegetal earthiness spread across beautiful Sangria medley suggesting banana, apple, red grape, pineapple, and apricot. Spicy cinnamon entwines apropos vinous acidity to port wine finish. On tap at Copper Mine, vinegary brettanomyces funk brings mouth-puckering sourness to oaken cherry, green grape, white wine, rosé and vermouth tones.

Highly recommended.