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Breckenridge Biere de Garde

Colorado
United States
Breckenridge Biere de Garde, Breckenridge Brewery
Judges Ratings 
1 Review
84
Aroma:
19 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Appearance:
6 / 6
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
Description 

Releasing only three times a year, the Brewery Lane Series showcases our most innovative and adventurous endeavors here in our Littleton home. Factors like new equipment, a continually improving barrel room, and local ingredients help to define this limited series; each release inspired by the seasonal scenery here at our Farm House campus, and bottled in 740 ml cork & cage for sharing and special occasions.
Our rendition of the Bìere de Garde has an ingredient unique to Brewery Lane itself - our neighbors Carboy Winery lent us Meritage grape juice, which is normally fermented to create wine. This elegant grape juice was fermented instead with this historically prestigious French Farm House Ale, to create complex aromas of dark fruits and a slightly tart finish. You'll also find a true-to-style malt dominance, silky mouthfeel and a warming 9.0% ABV.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
9.0%
IBUs: 
20
Served at: 
51º
Hops: 
Magnum, Fuggle
Malts: 
Pilsner, Munich 10L, Crystal 50, Brown
Judges Review 
David Sapsis's picture
Judges Rating:
84
Aroma:
19 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Breckenridge Biere de Garde by Breckenridge Brewery​ is being judged as BJCP category 24C, Biere de Garde.

It comes served in a narrow-tapered glass, and the color is a deep orange/polished copper and both clarity and foam are fantastic. The beer is evidently highly conditioned as the outgassing is quick and abundant, and keeps the head standing tall. Totally looks the part!

The aroma is rich and malty-complex, with notes of biscuit, caramel and a distinct phenol pepper-spice, a backdrop of prune and raisin sweetness, and only a hint of herbal hop character.  The beer seems a bit aged due to some rounded woodiness that complements the malt character.  

The flavor profile took me little off guard. It starts very lush with caramel and hints of orange and spice with a big and sweet middle, with extremely low bitterness.  The late palate is long on honey and a strong sweet wine character that is very sweet and lasts all the way through to the finish. Fruit-grape and caramel (with lingering phenol)  dominate that aftertaste, with a bit of a fruity-acidic tang.  Make no mistake -- the beer is malt forward and the finish is sweet.  Mouthfeel is very viscous/thick, and creamy despite the high level of conditioning. Overall the body, very long and vinous finish, and a tad bit of heat indicate a pretty strong beer, one that seems both too sweet and too big for the style. To test that impression, I measured the final gravity at 5.5oP with a finishing hydrometer. While there is no doubt room to move within the style, the dryness and approachable drinkability hallmarks that come from the classic aging process appear missing.  What the beer does have is a very rich, lush and complicated malt profile, complemented by a distinct Belgian phenol character that is filling and quite flavorful.  Almost like a Biere de Garde on steroids, and really more of a strong ale, this beer's complex and sweet nature have me thinking it would match well with classic winter fare like a Veal stew or Coq-au-Vin.  

 

 

Brewery Introduction

Back in the 1980s, our founder Richard Squire was your typical ski bum – with one significant difference. He had a knack for making extraordinary home brews. For years, only his closest friends were able to enjoy his creations, but it didn’t take long for Richard to realize that his talents... Read More

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