Beire de Mars is a special version of the French farmhouse ale Biere de Garde. Brewed to a higher strength during the gusty month of March, it is intended to last through the summer, providing a welcome relief from the doldrums of July and August, and keeping the family in beer until brewing starts again in the fall. Brewery Ommegang makes their version extra special with a shot of Brettanomyces, the wild yeast that is partly responsible for the crazy tastes of Lambic.

Biere de Mars
Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, New York
Style: Biere de Mars
Serving Style: 750 ml Bottle

Aroma: Caramel malt and fresh dark fruit, plums and cherries, not raisins. Pronounced leathery and barnyard brettanomyces funk.
Appearance: Deep golden to light orange. Clear. Long lasting, fine, off-white head
Flavor: Light caramel malt supporting rich cherry and plum fruitiness. A hint of acidic sourness, but only a hint. Good amount of barnyard and leather funkiness like the aroma. Medium-high bitterness and light spicy hop flavor complements the funk. Dry finish that lingers on brett character.
Mouthfeel: Medium-light body. High carbonation. Dry.
Overall: A very nice beer. Good balance of malt and yeast with an extra charge of spicy hop that really complements the brettanomyces character. Light and easy to drink. Drinking it with a stinky, Spanish, washed-rind cow’s milk cheese and they pair wonderfully.