Portsmouth Bière De Garde - Portsmouth Brewery

dciBA

Maine

3.9/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a dark honey color from the bomber. A thin off white head forms and seems to have some staying power. Good amount of lacing.

Smell is very bready, with some fruitiness from the yeast as well. Taste is similar. Initially there's a nice spiciness and a noticeable bitterness follows every sip. The breadiness in the nose lingers on the palate for quite a while.

This one has a very smooth mouthfeel, carbonation is perfect. A quite drinkable beer, I'll have no problem finishing this bottle. Overall a good tasting beer, albeit not terribly exciting.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2011 00:24:58 | More by dciBA

mklisz

New Hampshire

3.75/5  rDev -3.4%

01-15-2013 15:40:16 | More by mklisz

BeerCosmonaut

Vermont

3.25/5  rDev -16.2%

01-05-2013 21:17:57 | More by BeerCosmonaut

mattparsons

New Hampshire

3.75/5  rDev -3.4%

12-14-2012 00:05:41 | More by mattparsons

anewlanguage

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -9.8%

11-27-2012 17:24:14 | More by anewlanguage

phingdong

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev +3.1%

02-01-2012 22:58:04 | More by phingdong

LostHighway

Maine

4/5  rDev +3.1%

11-29-2011 14:14:23 | More by LostHighway

Rochefort10nh

New Hampshire

5/5  rDev +28.9%

11-25-2011 22:23:17 | More by Rochefort10nh

Bendurgin

Maine

2.68/5  rDev -30.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured into a tulip at the brewpub. This one pours a clear honey color with a thin cap of white foam. It settles quickly.

On my first whiff I got a big aroma of caramel sweetness. My second venture in wasn't as pleasant. Lots of balsamic vinegar in the aroma with a caramel mixture in the background. A lot more vinous than I would have thought. Kind of a caramel sweetness on the front of the pallet with a earthy/floral profile. I don't think I've ever eaten a flower, but I figure this is what one would taste like. The vinegar that the aroma indicated is non-existent; this isn't sour at all (which I didn't expect going in to this one).

The body is heavy on this. This really just seems to coat my tongue with heavy flavors. Overall not my favorite from the brewpub. I'm sure I'll skip it in the future.

Serving type: on-tap

11-19-2011 03:43:37 | More by Bendurgin

Kinsman

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev +3.1%

11-15-2011 21:10:37 | More by Kinsman

ElGallo

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev +3.1%

11-15-2011 17:01:58 | More by ElGallo

randomdanger

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +3.1%

11-15-2011 15:45:53 | More by randomdanger

OakedCanuck

Washington

4.05/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22oz bottle into cervoise

This beer pours a nice, slightly hazy, light copper orange. Bubbly white head and decent lacing. The nose consists of orange, apples, and tangerine with a slight wheat-grain to it. The taste is floral with some pine hops. The citric fruit component is strong with orange, lemon and some grapefruit. Pepper too! Mouthfeel is slightly drying, crisp and very refreshing. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this beer. I actually preferred it when it was first opened and relatively cold, very refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2011 23:23:54 | More by OakedCanuck

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.03/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

another great new one from portsmouth. i still think it was a much better decision not to go for kate as all these other beers are really just superb.

Nice pour here with a medium amber color that had a slight bit of haziness to it. Intresting tone here for sure as it was bordering on being a bit brighter. There was a nice head of white that came up over the top and settled down gradually into a little pillow.

The aroma was light, hints of grian, light hops and a touch of light peach and pear fruit notes. Subtle would be the ideal word here. There was a very nice flavor here, nothing really huge, just very light and drinkable. Nice touches of light grains and small doses of light fruit, mixing well and with subtle yet adequate carbonation, the whole thing seemed to come together quite well.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2011 01:06:40 | More by mikesgroove

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.63/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Light fizzy head crystal clear golden honey colored beer.

Nose some sweet toasty malts, straw, light fruity like, bit bready and slight yeasty, light lemony and fruity hops.

Taste sweet malts, wheat, lift straw, pretty sweet, light fruit and lemony, juicy, some bitterness, some spices, light fruit from the yeast, finishes still a bit sweet, light creamy and straw.

Mouth is med bodied, light carb.

Overall kinda meh, so so, sweet, not a ton of malts, light hops are typical, but the weird lemony is a bit iffy, the malts are nice thought which helps a bit.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2011 11:47:52 | More by jlindros

portia99

Massachusetts

3.68/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle poured into a Duvel tulip glass.

A - Pours a lightly hazed, dirty copper color with a tannish head that manages to reach only a finger or so in height, but is on the fluffy side with pretty good staying power too.

S - Yeasty and bready up front, some fruity esters, clovey spiciness and a touch of sugary sweetness.

T - Spicy cloves, Belgian yeastiness, cinnamon, pepper, a bit of wintergreen...very spicy overall. Mid level hop bitterness that blends into and perhaps fades behind the spices a bit. Bready and grainy malt base that I wish had a bit of a stronger impression overall.

M - Medium bodied with a big carbonation level that is fizzy and a bit foamy. Spice character is dominant and lingering with hop bitterness kicked in for good measure.

D - A pretty good beer overall. The spice level is a bit high for me (or is it just lacking fruitiness). Wish there was a bit more balance all around - needs more fruitiness and more of a malt base...but I'm just being critical. I'd have this again easily, but probably one in a session is enough.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2011 01:55:06 | More by portia99

steve8robin

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Got this when I grabbed KTG scratch tickets. 22oz bottle...

A: A very nice deep murky copper color with a fluffy 1 inch white head that fades at a decent rate. Very good.

S: I get some nice bready rye upfront with some earthy spices in the middle and a slight citrus on the backend. Ok.

T: A nice balance of flavors here. A nice citrus malt and bready rye upfront neither of which is too overpowering. A hint of piney spice in the middle with some earthiness on the back. Good.

M: Medium body with a little heavy carbonation feel. Clean dry finish.

D: This goes down very, VERY easy. I love the balance on this one. Very good.

All in all, there are few brews from Portsmouth that I've thought were good or great. This is now one of them. This is a very well blended beer in a style I had not gotten to try many brews from. Definitely worth a try if you like the style.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2011 07:12:37 | More by steve8robin

muttyd

Massachusetts

3.68/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured vigorously into a Portsmouth tulip glass. Golden / amber body with a huge off-white head that fades into a faint ring. Very toasty aroma. Doughy, some fruity esters, and some faint spicy earthiness in the aroma as well. Flavor follows the nose with a big doughy, sweet toffee malt backbone with some fruitiness. Body is characteristic of Portsmouth brews - medium body with enough carbonation to give a pleasant tingling on the tongue. Alcohol is present, but still remains drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2011 02:45:47 | More by muttyd

tpd975

Florida

3.58/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Sampled at Pre-Sex

A: Pours a hazy orangish gold hue with a huge fizzy white head. Light retention with some spotty lace.

S: Aromas of light citrus, summer fruit, and bready yeast.

T: Caramel malt, doughy bread, citrus, yeasty, and light herbal hops.

M: Medium in body above average carbonation.

D: Just okay, not one I would seek out.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2010 22:11:48 | More by tpd975

tigg924

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: 2 inch head, clear, golden brown in color, cloudy

Smell: berry and toasted malt

Taste: berry, little hay, some toasted malt

Mouthfeel: sweet, dry, moderate bodied and carbonation

Drinkability: Nice and fruity for the style..a bit on the sweet end. Love this especially for the style, I picked up a bottle to go.

Serving type: on-tap

02-18-2010 14:35:33 | More by tigg924

joepais

Maine

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass it came to me with a two finger white head that wasted away to a nice lace. The body of the brew was an apricot orange in color.

I got typical aromas from the Belgian yeast plus I also had some wonderful spices. The flavor was slightly towards the sweet side with a light bitter finish. It had a light to medium feel in my mouth with good carbonation.

I enjoy this brew and always grab a few while its on tap

Serving type: on-tap

01-30-2010 15:44:20 | More by joepais

LilBeerDoctor

New York

3.03/5  rDev -21.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Reviewed on 06/05/2009. Bottle at PPRBSG09. Pours a cloudy orange with a white head. Aroma of sweet caramel, malt, yeast, and yogurt. Flavor is tart, sour, and yogurty. I think this bottle was infected? I can't be sure though...some people thought it was ok.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2009 16:58:38 | More by LilBeerDoctor

PEBKAC

New York

3.73/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

Growler that was part of a haul provided by mister "it ain't no thang" himself, Mr. BeerWorld. Five hours each way?! What a trooper! :D

Poured into my Ommegang Anniversary glass(the more recent regal-looking one). A gritty caramelized-orange color, a little haze. Nearly an inch of blank white head after some time settling in the fridge. Root-like lace working its way down. We're good to go. :)

Smells of macerated whole wheat, white pepper, a sure amount of clove, & a floral amount of unripened, semi sweet/bitter cantaloupe. A touch of sugar on the end.

Taste is very bready. Alcohol becomes very familiar over time. Carbonation is sturdy, but without being over-insistive. More forceful clove, somewhat "oat-ish"(taste, not feel), noticeable butter, mildly grassy hops, all residing in a greasy finish. Even cold, it is obviously... quite slippery. Filling in a sense, though the bitterness wets the appetite a touch.

The growler is gone, & so is my ability to operate heavy machinery. I hear Portsmouth is very wallet-friendly, so drink up. The spell check saw heavy use in this review. :o

Serving type: growler

03-11-2009 07:15:09 | More by PEBKAC

hwwty4

Missouri

3.88/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to joepais, and the Naked BA BIF for this one.

Poured a 22oz bottle into my New Belgium globe glass. The beer pours a dried apricot orange with a big fluffy head that leaves just a little lacing down the sides of the glass. The aroma is toffee up front, doughy biscuits, and just a bit of over toasted bread. The flavor is surprisingly sweet. There is a great bready quality to it, with a bit of toffee and caramel, but the finishing sweetness is just a bit to sugary, right on the finish. The mouthfeel is pretty sugary except that it finishes rather dry. It's really an odd enigma. Its really nothing I've ever found in another beer. While not what I would consider a standard Biere de garde, its still rather tasty.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2009 03:54:16 | More by hwwty4

DIM

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

a: This was a slightly hazy coppery caramel color. It pours with a thin, short lived tan head.

s: This was a little on the mild side, but very enticing. I got some honey, biscuits, and a little peppery butterscotch. Edit: As it warmed, the aromas began to assert itself, so I upped the score.

t: Strangely, this is both sweet and dry. Biscuity butterscotch up front with a lingering herbal pepperiness and some leafy hops at the end.

m: Slick, viscous, and gently fizzy carbonation. I love the long finish on this one.

d: More Porstsmouth from joepais, thanks again! I'm not very familiar with this style, so I can't speak to authenticity, but I very much enjoyed this.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2009 21:23:41 | More by DIM