Beer Review - Gavroche

Brasserie De Saint-Sylvestre Gavroche French Red Ale - 8.5% ABV

Farmhouse ales originated in northern France and what is now Belgium and were traditionally brewed in winter, then served during the summer to hard working farm hands.  Fracturing of the beer styles has led to the creation of 2 similar, but quite distinct beer styles; Saisons in Belgium and Beire de Garde in France.  Most of us are quite familiar with the saison, unfiltered, yeasty, big alcohol, but few are familiar with the French version.

Saint Sylvestre Cappel is an ancient village situated on a Roman military road between Cassel and Caestre. Its present name is not the original one. In the middle Ages it was called Hillewaerts Cappel and became Saint Sylvestre Cappel in 1538.  There was a brewery on site from before the revolution due to the presence of a fresh water spring but modern beer production was started in the 1920's.  While the Belgian version tends to be dryer and hoppier while the French version is stronger and sweeter.

The beer pours a hazy amber with a significant head that persists for a good bit.  The nose is of the German Noble Hops and toasted malts with a bit of earthy mustiness and fruit.  The flavor is lightly carmel sweet and roasted malts.  The hops in the nose are not evident in the flavor but the earthiness form the yeasts are there.  It is hard to believe that this beer has 8.5% alcohol because it is really light and really easy to drink.  I highly recommend this beer but be very, very careful because it will gently take you from 0 - drunk much faster than you expect.  I am quit anxious to try their other offerings.

Brasserie De Saint-Sylvestre
121 rue de la Chapelle
St-Sylvestre-Cappel 59114
France
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