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 (; ; West Flemish: ''Nôord-Nauw van Kales'') was a former regions of France, administrative region of France. Since 1 January 2016, it has been part of the new Regions of France, region Hauts-de-France. It consisted of the ...

region of

France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...

. 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-colored ale that is highly carbonated, dry, fruity, spicy, and often bottle conditioned. It was historically brewed with low alcohol levels, but modern productions of the style have moderate to high leve ...

. Most varieties are top-fermented 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 In France, the ''appellation d'origine contrôlée'' (, ; abbr. AOC ) is a label that identifies an agricultural product whose stages of production and processing are carried out in a defined geographical area – the ''terroir'' – and using ...

'', ''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 The Brasserie de Saint Sylvestre is a brewery in the Nord-Pas de Calais region of northeast France. Brewing in the town of Saint-Sylvestre-Cappel dates back to at least 1600, although the troubled history of Flanders has interrupted business s ...

'' Trois Monts'', Brasseurs Duyck '' Jenlain'', 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'',

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