Topic Archives: Biere De Garde
Ommegang Biere D’Hougoumont & A Little Napoleon History
A few days ago we mentioned Brewery Ommegang’s new oak stave aged biere de gard Biere D’Hougoumont. As always planned, the brewery will be releasing this beer in bottles as well. Read about the beer, and get a little history lesson at the same time. The name – D’Hougomont is a farmhouse near Waterloo, Belgium. Remember Waterloo? That’s where British forces faced Napoleon’s army on June 18th, 1815. Napoleon was defeated at that battle. Hougomont translates to “Gum Hill” named for the pine trees on it. The pine gum is harvested to make turpentine.
Hougoumont is brewed with French traditional ale yeast, eight malts, French Strisselspalt hops, and aged on wood. A traditional biere de garde style, this malty French-style farmhouse ale is brewed to be aged. The name honors the Hougoumont farmstead at the pivitol center of the waterloo battlefield. Napolean repeatedly failed to take the farmstead, he then lost the battle and “met his waterloo.”
Style: Biere De Garde (Oak Aged)
Availability: 750 ml bottles (Corked & Caged), Draft
Arrival: 3rd Quarter, 2012
7.3% ABV
Ommegang mentions that the name is a “working title”. It may change before shipping.
Ommegang Biere D’Hougomont
Brewery Ommegang Biere D’Hougomont. Aged on maple & oak staves. (Wood planks for barrels. See image below.) As for the name, D’Hougomont is a farmhouse near Waterloo, Belgium. Remember Waterloo? That’s where British forces faced Napoleon’s army on June 18th, 1815. Napoleon was defeated at that battle. Hougomont translates to “Gum Hill” named for the pine trees on it. The pine gum is harvested to make turpentine.
Style: Biere De Garde
Availability: Draft, 750 ml bottles
Arrival: Late July, 2012
7.3% ABV
Note: The name is a working title. It may change prior to shipping. Still a cool story though, right?
Bell’s Le Batteur Ale, The First In Jazzy Trio
Above is the artwork for Bell’s Brewing’s Jazz Series Releases. Bell’s Le Pianiste Ale will be available in 750 ml bottles, most likely limited to the Eccentric Cafe. Previously only available on draft, each of the three beers in the jazzy trio are interpretations on the French style Biere de Garde. A french take on the farmhouse style. As you can guess, Le Batteur means drummer in French.
The first in a three-part series of interpretations on the French Biere de Garde style, Le Batteur leads with a distinctive yeast aromatic character mixed with light bready notes. Noticeably dry, the finish is crisp with a mild, refreshing acidity. The French term for a drummer, Le Batteur takes its name from a component of a classic jazz trio.
Style: Biere De Garde
Availability: 750ml bottles, Draft.
6% ABV
Other beers in series include: Le Contrebassiste & Le Pianiste.
note: The above is tentative. Subject to change at whim of the brewer, the beer, or the barrel.
Smaller Bottles For Jolly Pumpkin Oro
Jolly Pumpkin Brewing’s biere de garde Oro De Calabaza will see some small bottle treatment soon. Oro has been available previously in 750ml bottles – and will remain available that way, in addition to this smaller bottle format. Both labels just got an artwork refresh.
Aged in large oak casks and refermented in the bottle, Oro de Calabaza is brewed in the Franco-Belgian tradition of special golden ales. Spicy and peppery with a gentle hop bouquet and the beguiling influence of wild yeast.
Style: Biere de Garde (oak aged)
Availability: 750ml, 355ml bottles. (355ml arrival TBA)
8% ABV
Sour Fans, A New Vintage Of BFM Bon Chien
The 2010 vintage of Brasserie Franches-Montagnes L’Abbaye de Saint Bon-Chien is now available. (Previously 2007-2009). You love sour, oaky, beers look no further. Bon-Chien is named for the brewery’s cat, that passed away in 2005. The 2010 vintage was blended this year, from previous vintages.
L’Abbaye de Saint Bon-Chien, Strong sour ale, 11% vol. is a real UFO, it is a beer brewed in honor of the former brewery cat, sanctified in her disappearance. This wine with hints of amber-red is matured for months in oak barrels that once contained wine or distilled spirits. The drums give flavor to this very complex beer.On the palate, it recalls the plot of a fruity red wine with a marked acidity.
Style: Biere De Garde
Taste Expectations: Sour, Funk. Oak, cherries, grapes. Tart & puckering finish. Slightly boozy.
Availability: 750 bottles.
11% ABV
Pic: Wine&CheesePlace
