Biere De Garde - Left Hand Brewing Company

Phelps

Arizona

2.93/5  rDev -23.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

This was apparently the winner of Left Hand’s 2011 Pro-Am homebrewing competition. Enjoyed in a four-ounce tasting glass at Tops.

The color of a block of caramel, with a subtle mist of haze. Head is short lived — light khaki one second then nonexistent the next — but this isn’t outside the norm for the style.

Sweet biscuits, caramel and cotton candy in the nose. It’s rather sweet, and lacking the musty character these beers need.

The flavor offers much more depth, beginning with floral, earthy hops. Mild bitterness gives way to a wave of sweet caramel, biscuits and Belgian spiciness. Toasted dough lingers, but I’m still not getting the musty, aged notes I'm looking for.

Moderate, prickly carbonation in a silky medium body. Nice viscosity; mild fizziness. Some spice grips the tongue and a shock of heat warms the throat.

Just because it's brown and Belgian doesn't make it a bier de garde. This iteration is drinkable enough, but definitely missing the aspects of the classics.

Serving type: on-tap

10-27-2011 22:20:58 | More by Phelps

57md

Pennsylvania

3.3/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance is a cider color with half a finger of head that had no retention. The nose is distinctly apple in quality. Malt is certainly upfront in the taste and there is a slightly tangy finish to this offering. This is a new style for me, so my review should be taken with a grain of salt.

Serving type: on-tap

02-18-2012 07:49:25 | More by 57md

bump8628

Oklahoma

3.5/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Hazed orange with an adequate topping of white foam. Orange marmalade, raw dough, biscuit, and light grassy bitterness on the palate. Fairly clean on the finish, walking the line between ale and lager as the style demands. Decent enough, and the alcohol is very well hidden, but this one is a bit underdone in terms of flavor, even for the style.

Serving type: on-tap

01-16-2012 21:27:40 | More by bump8628

TheBigE5

Georgia

4.05/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

A - Poured from a growler about 2 hours after purchase. Minimal head. Copper brown with a slight haze and a red tint

S - Grassy, yeasty but also sweet

T - Hoppy at the start that moves to malt and leads to a sweet finish with a little note of alcohol

M - extremely pleasant mouthfeel, the previous reviewer said it best, its silky in the mouth then warm on the throat.

O - I have never had this particular style of beer before, but i was very impressed. Easy sipping with a decently high abv, good taste and great drinkability

Serving type: growler

11-19-2011 01:02:40 | More by TheBigE5