Style: Biere de Garde

Three main variations exist (blond, amber and brown), so colour can range from golden blonde to reddish-bronze to chestnut brown. Clarity is good to poor, although haze is not unexpected in this type of often unfiltered beer. Well-formed head, generally white to off-white (varies by beer colour), supported by high carbonation. Aroma: Prominent malty sweetness, often with a complex, light to moderate toasty character. Some caramelisation is acceptable. Low to moderate esters. Little to no hop aroma (may be a bit spicy or herbal). Commercial versions will often have a musty, woodsy, cellar-like character that is difficult to achieve in homebrew. Paler versions will still be malty but will lack richer, deeper aromatics and may have a bit more hops. No diacetyl. Flavour: Medium to high malt flavour often with a toasty, toffee- like or caramel sweetness. Malt flavours and complexity tend to increase as beer colour darkens. Low to moderate esters and alcohol flavours. Medium-low hop bitterness provides some support, but the balance is always tilted toward the malt. The malt flavour lasts into the finish but the finish is medium-dry to dry and malty, never cloying. Alcohol can provide some additional dryness in the finish. Low to no hop flavour, although paler versions can have slightly higher levels of herbal or spicy hop flavour (which can also come from the yeast). Smooth, well-lagered character. No diacetyl. Mouthfeel: Medium to medium-light (lean) -full body, often with a smooth, silky character. Moderate to high carbonation. Moderate alcohol, but should be very smooth and never hot.