Bière de Garde ("beer for keeping") is a strong pale ale or keeping beer traditionally brewed in the

Nord-Pas-de-Calais Nord-Pas-de-Calais (); pcd, Nord-Pas-Calés); is a former administrative region of France. Since 1 January 2016, it has been part of the new region Hauts-de-France. It consisted of the departments of Nord and Pas-de-Calais. Nord-Pas-de-Calais ...

region of

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

. These beers were originally brewed in farmhouses (they are known as Farmhouse ales) during the winter and spring, to avoid unpredictable problems with the yeast during the summertime. Farmhouse production is now supplemented by commercial production, although most Bière de Garde brewers are small businesses. Typically, beers of this tradition are of a copper colour or golden colour, and as the name suggests the origins of this style lies in the tradition that it was matured or cellared for a period of time once bottled (and most sealed with a cork), to be consumed later in the year, akin to a Belgian

Saison Saison (French, "season," ) is a pale ale that is highly carbonated, fruity, spicy, and often bottle conditioned. It was historically brewed with low alcohol levels, but modern productions of the style have moderate to high levels of alcohol. ...

. Most varieties are

top-fermented Brewing is the production of beer by steeping a starch source (commonly cereal grains, the most popular of which is barley) in water and fermenting the resulting sweet liquid with yeast. It may be done in a brewery by a commercial brewer ...

and unfiltered, although bottom-fermented and filtered versions exist. Particularly authentic products, using only regional ingredients, are entitled to use the ''

Appellation d'origine contrôlée An appellation is a legally defined and protected geographical indication primarily used to identify where the grapes for a wine were grown, although other types of food often have appellations as well. Restrictions other than geographical bo ...

'', "Pas de Calais/Region du Nord''.Brian Glover: ''The Complete Handbook of Beers and Brewing'' Some of the better known brands include Brasserie de Saint-Sylvestre '' Trois Monts'', Brasseurs Duyck ''

Jenlain Jenlain () is a commune in the Nord department in northern France. Jenlain is located away from Valenciennes and from Le Quesnoy. Inhabitants are called ''Jenlinois''. A Bière de Garde, Jenlain, is brewed there. Heraldry See also *Commun ...

'', Brasserie Castelain ''Ch'Ti'' and Brasserie La Choulette '' Ambrée''.

References

;Bibliography * ''Farmhouse Ales: Culture and Craftsmanship in the European Tradition'', Phil Markowski, * ''Great Beer Guide: 500 Classic Brews'',

Michael Jackson Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. Dubbed the " King of Pop", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. Over ...

, * ''Dictionary of Beer'', Ed: A. Webb, {{DEFAULTSORT:Biere De GarDe Beer in France Beer styles French brands