Beer in France
Encyclopedia
Most beer sold in France is mass-produced, with major breweries having control of over 90% of the market and pilsner lagers predominating. There is a native tradition of brewing, such as the top-fermented Bière de Garde
.
or Alsace-Lorraine
region has had a turbulent history, changing hands several times between Germany and France. Currently, the French part is the main beer-producing région of France, thanks primarily to breweries
in and near Strasbourg
. These include those of Fischer
, Karlsbräu, Kronenbourg
, and Heineken International. Hops
are grown in Kochersberg
and in northern Alsace.
The Adelschoff brewery on Schiltigheim
, founded in 1864, is noted for speciality beers such as Adelscott whisky beer.
There are also a number of micro-breweries in the area.
, has a longstanding cultural ties to Belgium; however, it should not be thought that its brewing tradition is a mere imitation of its neighbour's.
Pelforth is a French brewery
founded in 1914 in Mons-en-Barœul
by three Lillois
brewers. Among connoisseurs, it is "famous for its strong speciality beers". It was originally called Pelican, after a dance popular at the time. Production was stopped during World War II, restarting in 1950. The brewery name was changed in 1972 to Pelforth. It was bought by Français de Brasserie in 1986, which was acquired by Heineken International in 1988. The brewery produces the Pelforth brand of beer
s: Pelforth, an ale, was first brewed in 1935 using two different types of malt and English yeast. The name came from "Pel" for pelican, "forte" for strong, because it contains a lot of malt (43 kg/hL), and the h added to give it an English feel. In addition to the Blonde (5.8% abv) and Brune (6.5% abv), Pelforth Amber (6% abv) was introduced in 2003.
There are a number of small breweries in the area, mostly brewing Bière de Garde. La Choulotte and Les Brasseurs de Gayant brew Abbey beers among other styles. Brasserie de Saint-Sylvestre
brews seasonal beers as well as Bière de Garde; the Terken brewey does likewise.
The original Trois Brasseurs ("Three Brewers") brewpub is in Lille
.
has a long beer brewing tradition, tracing its roots back to the seventeenth century; Young artisanal brewers are keeping a variety of beer types alive, such as Coreff de Morlaix.
Brasserie Lancelot
produces a number of specialities, including Telenn Du, a beer made, like Breton pancakes, from buckwheat
Bière de Garde
("beer for keeping") is a strong pale ale or keeping beer traditionally brewed in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France
. These beers were originally brewed in farmhouses during the winter and spring, to avoid unpredictable problems with the yeast during the summertime. Farmhouse production is now supplemented by commercial production, although most Bière de Garde brewers are small businesses.
Typically, beers of this tradition are of a copper colour or golden colour, and as the name suggests the origins of this style lies in the tradition that it was matured/cellared for a period of time once bottled (and most sealed with a cork), to be consumed later in the year, akin to a Belgian Saison.
Most varieties are top-fermented and unfiltered, although bottom-fermented and/or filtered versions exist. Particularly authentic products, using only regional ingredients, are entitled to use the Appellation d'origine contrôlée
, "Pas de Calais/Region du Nord.
Some of the better known brands include Brasserie de Saint-Sylvestre
, Trois Monts (8.5%abv
), Brasseurs Duyck, Jenlain
(7.5%abv
), Brasserie Castelain, Ch'Ti Blonde/Ambrée and Brasserie La Choulette, Ambrée (7.5%abv
).
Blanc (5% ABV) from the giant Kronenbourg brewery, Brasserie Castelain, Ch'Ti Blanche, and Pietra
Colomba Biere Blanche, with Corsica
n herbs.
beer is one of more popular speciality styles, made with peat-smoked malt. The original was Adelscott Bière au Malt á Whisky, a 6.5% ABV lager from the Adelschoffen brewery in Alsace, which was launched in the 1980s. A darker Adelscott Noir is also brewed. Kronenbourg likewise brew Wel Scotch (6.2% ABV) with whisky malt. The Meteor Brewey's 8% ABV Mortimer is packaged like whisky, but actually classed as a Vienna lager. The foregoing are all Alsace-based, top-fermented brews; Amberley (7.3% ABV) is Pelforth's top-fermented whisky beer, from the Lille area.
" the French nickname for the English). The pubs are decorated in a broadly British style, and serve a selection of ales, stout
s and wheat beer
.
There is also a chain of about 20 American style brewpub-restaurants operating under the name Les 3 Brasseurs (The Three Brewers), which extends outside the country.
of Paris. Some beer cafés are Belgian-themed with cuisine to match.
s are held in Schiltigheim
(August) and Felletin
(July).
Bière de Garde
Bière de Garde is a strong pale ale or keeping beer traditionally brewed in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France. These beers were originally brewed in farmhouses during the winter and spring, to avoid unpredictable problems with the yeast during the summertime...
.
Alsace and Strasbourg
The AlsaceAlsace
Alsace is the fifth-smallest of the 27 regions of France in land area , and the smallest in metropolitan France. It is also the seventh-most densely populated region in France and third most densely populated region in metropolitan France, with ca. 220 inhabitants per km²...
or Alsace-Lorraine
Alsace-Lorraine
The Imperial Territory of Alsace-Lorraine was a territory created by the German Empire in 1871 after it annexed most of Alsace and the Moselle region of Lorraine following its victory in the Franco-Prussian War. The Alsatian part lay in the Rhine Valley on the west bank of the Rhine River and east...
region has had a turbulent history, changing hands several times between Germany and France. Currently, the French part is the main beer-producing région of France, thanks primarily to breweries
Brewery
A brewery is a dedicated building for the making of beer, though beer can be made at home, and has been for much of beer's history. A company which makes beer is called either a brewery or a brewing company....
in and near Strasbourg
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
. These include those of Fischer
Fischer Brewery
Fischer is a brewery in Schiltigheim, France.-History:The Fischer brewery was founded in 1821 in Strasbourg, in the Alsace region in France, and moved to Schiltigheim in 1854, apparently because of the good quality of water there. In 1922, they took over the neighbouring Adelshoffen brewery and...
, Karlsbräu, Kronenbourg
Kronenbourg
Kronenbourg Brewery is a brewery founded in 1664 by Geronimus Hatt in Strasbourg, France as the Hatt Brewery. The name comes from the area where the brewery relocated in 1850. The company is owned by the Carlsberg Group...
, and Heineken International. Hops
Hops
Hops are the female flower clusters , of a hop species, Humulus lupulus. They are used primarily as a flavoring and stability agent in beer, to which they impart a bitter, tangy flavor, though hops are also used for various purposes in other beverages and herbal medicine...
are grown in Kochersberg
Kochersberg
The Kochersberg is a natural region of the french département of Bas-Rhin in Alsace and is a part of the hills found along the eastern side of the Vosges mountains...
and in northern Alsace.
The Adelschoff brewery on Schiltigheim
Schiltigheim
Schiltigheim is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France.The inhabitants are called Schilikois in French and Scheligemer in Alsatian....
, founded in 1864, is noted for speciality beers such as Adelscott whisky beer.
There are also a number of micro-breweries in the area.
Lille and Nord-Pas-de-Calais
The Nord-Pas-de-Calais area, also known as French FlandersFrench Flanders
French Flanders is a part of the historical County of Flanders in present-day France. The region today lies in the modern-day region of Nord-Pas de Calais, the department of Nord, and roughly corresponds to the arrondissements of Lille, Douai and Dunkirk on the Belgian border.-Geography:French...
, has a longstanding cultural ties to Belgium; however, it should not be thought that its brewing tradition is a mere imitation of its neighbour's.
Pelforth is a French brewery
Brewery
A brewery is a dedicated building for the making of beer, though beer can be made at home, and has been for much of beer's history. A company which makes beer is called either a brewery or a brewing company....
founded in 1914 in Mons-en-Barœul
Mons-en-Barœul
Mons-en-Barœul is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.It is a suburb of the city of Lille, and is adjacent to it on the northeast. The name Mons-en-Barœul means mount in the Barœul, the city is actually built on a slight hill; the Barœul was a former territory . Before the sixteenth...
by three Lillois
Lille
Lille is a city in northern France . It is the principal city of the Lille Métropole, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the country behind those of Paris, Lyon and Marseille. Lille is situated on the Deûle River, near France's border with Belgium...
brewers. Among connoisseurs, it is "famous for its strong speciality beers". It was originally called Pelican, after a dance popular at the time. Production was stopped during World War II, restarting in 1950. The brewery name was changed in 1972 to Pelforth. It was bought by Français de Brasserie in 1986, which was acquired by Heineken International in 1988. The brewery produces the Pelforth brand of beer
Beer
Beer is the world's most widely consumed andprobably oldest alcoholic beverage; it is the third most popular drink overall, after water and tea. It is produced by the brewing and fermentation of sugars, mainly derived from malted cereal grains, most commonly malted barley and malted wheat...
s: Pelforth, an ale, was first brewed in 1935 using two different types of malt and English yeast. The name came from "Pel" for pelican, "forte" for strong, because it contains a lot of malt (43 kg/hL), and the h added to give it an English feel. In addition to the Blonde (5.8% abv) and Brune (6.5% abv), Pelforth Amber (6% abv) was introduced in 2003.
There are a number of small breweries in the area, mostly brewing Bière de Garde. La Choulotte and Les Brasseurs de Gayant brew Abbey beers among other styles. Brasserie de Saint-Sylvestre
Brasserie de Saint-Sylvestre
The Brasserie de Saint Sylvestre is a brewery in the Nord-Pas de Calais region of northeast France. Brewing in the town of Saint-Sylvestre-Cappel dates back to at least 1600, although the troubled history of Flanders has interrupted business several times in history.-3 Monts:3 Monts is an 8.5% abv ...
brews seasonal beers as well as Bière de Garde; the Terken brewey does likewise.
The original Trois Brasseurs ("Three Brewers") brewpub is in Lille
Lille
Lille is a city in northern France . It is the principal city of the Lille Métropole, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the country behind those of Paris, Lyon and Marseille. Lille is situated on the Deûle River, near France's border with Belgium...
.
Breton and Celtic brewing
BrittanyBrittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
has a long beer brewing tradition, tracing its roots back to the seventeenth century; Young artisanal brewers are keeping a variety of beer types alive, such as Coreff de Morlaix.
Brasserie Lancelot
Brasserie Lancelot
The brasserie Lancelot is a French brewery founded in 1990 by Bernard Lancelot, located on the site of a gold mine in Roc-Saint-André in Morbihan...
produces a number of specialities, including Telenn Du, a beer made, like Breton pancakes, from buckwheat
Buckwheat
Buckwheat refers to a variety of plants in the dicot family Polygonaceae: the Eurasian genus Fagopyrum, the North American genus Eriogonum, and the Northern Hemisphere genus Fallopia. Either of the latter two may be referred to as "wild buckwheat"...
Bière de Garde
Bière de Garde
Bière de Garde is a strong pale ale or keeping beer traditionally brewed in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France. These beers were originally brewed in farmhouses during the winter and spring, to avoid unpredictable problems with the yeast during the summertime...
("beer for keeping") is a strong pale ale or keeping beer traditionally brewed in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. These beers were originally brewed in farmhouses during the winter and spring, to avoid unpredictable problems with the yeast during the summertime. Farmhouse production is now supplemented by commercial production, although most Bière de Garde brewers are small businesses.
Typically, beers of this tradition are of a copper colour or golden colour, and as the name suggests the origins of this style lies in the tradition that it was matured/cellared for a period of time once bottled (and most sealed with a cork), to be consumed later in the year, akin to a Belgian Saison.
Most varieties are top-fermented and unfiltered, although bottom-fermented and/or filtered versions exist. Particularly authentic products, using only regional ingredients, are entitled to use the Appellation d'origine contrôlée
Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée
Appellation d’origine contrôlée , which translates as "controlled designation of origin", is the French certification granted to certain French geographical indications for wines, cheeses, butters, and other agricultural products, all under the auspices of the government bureau Institut National...
, "Pas de Calais/Region du Nord.
Some of the better known brands include Brasserie de Saint-Sylvestre
Brasserie de Saint-Sylvestre
The Brasserie de Saint Sylvestre is a brewery in the Nord-Pas de Calais region of northeast France. Brewing in the town of Saint-Sylvestre-Cappel dates back to at least 1600, although the troubled history of Flanders has interrupted business several times in history.-3 Monts:3 Monts is an 8.5% abv ...
, Trois Monts (8.5%abv
Alcohol by volume
Alcohol by volume is a standard measure of how much alcohol is contained in an alcoholic beverage .The ABV standard is used worldwide....
), Brasseurs Duyck, Jenlain
Jenlain (beer)
Jenlain is a beer made in Jenlain, a commune of the Nord department, in far northern France, just to the west of Belgium. It was created in 1922 by the Brasserie Duyck. Originally it was an amber ale. Several other varieties have been created since then, such as Jenlain blonde, Jenlain fraîche,...
(7.5%abv
Alcohol by volume
Alcohol by volume is a standard measure of how much alcohol is contained in an alcoholic beverage .The ABV standard is used worldwide....
), Brasserie Castelain, Ch'Ti Blonde/Ambrée and Brasserie La Choulette, Ambrée (7.5%abv
Alcohol by volume
Alcohol by volume is a standard measure of how much alcohol is contained in an alcoholic beverage .The ABV standard is used worldwide....
).
Monastic brewing
A number of beers with monastic connections are made in Northern France.- The French abbey of Sainte Marie du Mont des CatsMont des CatsMont des Cats is a small hill near the town of Godewaersvelde, in French Flanders. Its name in Dutch is Katsberg.It is the seat of an abbey bearing the same name, famous for the cheese produced by the monks since 1890.- Origin of the name :...
has been selling trappist beerTrappist beerA Trappist beer is a beer brewed by or under control of Trappist monks. There are a total of 174 Trappist monasteries worldwide ; only seven produce Trappist beer and are authorized to label their beers with the Authentic Trappist Product logo that indicates a compliance to the various rules of...
since June 16th, 2011. The abbey of the has no brewery at this time and does not plan to build one in the near future, for reasons of cost and brewing skills. They have not ruled out building their own brewery in the more distant future. The trappist beer sold by this abbey is produced by the brewery of Chimay and does not carry the "authentic trappist product" logo yet.
- Brasserie La Choulotte's Abbaye de Vaucelles 7.5% ABV beer is described as being on the Bière de Garde style.
- Saint Landelin is the brand name of a range of ales brewed by Les Brasseurs de Gayant.
March beers
French brewers market bière de mars ("march beer"), or bière de printemps ("spring beer") over the month of march. It is produced in limited quantity starting from a variety of barley sown in the previous spring, harvested the previous summer and brewed at the beginning of the winter. It is in general a top-fermented ale of moderate strength (4.5% to 5.5%). In contrast to German Märzen beers, it is less hopped (less bitter) and weaker, although it can be darker (often by addition of caramel or other colourants), and slightly spicedChristmas beers
There is a long-standing tradition of brewing strong ales in October for consumption in December. French Bières de Noël are rich and strong winter warmers as in other European countries. They are usually top fermented ales.Wheat beer
French wheat beers are made by a number of large and small brewers, and not seen as belonging to any particular tradition. Examples include:Blanc (5% ABV) from the giant Kronenbourg brewery, Brasserie Castelain, Ch'Ti Blanche, and Pietra
Pietra
Pietra, which means "stone" and is also known as "A biera corsa", is a brand of beer from the Mediterranean island of Corsica.- History :The Pietra Brewery opened in 1996. It is the only Corsican brewery....
Colomba Biere Blanche, with Corsica
Corsica
Corsica is an island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is located west of Italy, southeast of the French mainland, and north of the island of Sardinia....
n herbs.
Whisky beer
WhiskyWhisky
Whisky or whiskey is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash. Different grains are used for different varieties, including barley, malted barley, rye, malted rye, wheat, and corn...
beer is one of more popular speciality styles, made with peat-smoked malt. The original was Adelscott Bière au Malt á Whisky, a 6.5% ABV lager from the Adelschoffen brewery in Alsace, which was launched in the 1980s. A darker Adelscott Noir is also brewed. Kronenbourg likewise brew Wel Scotch (6.2% ABV) with whisky malt. The Meteor Brewey's 8% ABV Mortimer is packaged like whisky, but actually classed as a Vienna lager. The foregoing are all Alsace-based, top-fermented brews; Amberley (7.3% ABV) is Pelforth's top-fermented whisky beer, from the Lille area.
Other styles
- The 12% ABV Bière du Démon (Beer of the Demon) by Les Brasseurs de Gayant is advertised as the strongest blonde beer in the world.
- La Bière Amoureuse (4.9% ABV, Fischer) contains supposedly aphrodisiac herbs.
- PietraPietraPietra, which means "stone" and is also known as "A biera corsa", is a brand of beer from the Mediterranean island of Corsica.- History :The Pietra Brewery opened in 1996. It is the only Corsican brewery....
beer is a 6% ABVAlcohol by volumeAlcohol by volume is a standard measure of how much alcohol is contained in an alcoholic beverage .The ABV standard is used worldwide....
amber beer, brewed from a mix of maltMaltMalt is germinated cereal grains that have been dried in a process known as "malting". The grains are made to germinate by soaking in water, and are then halted from germinating further by drying with hot air...
and chestnutChestnutChestnut , some species called chinkapin or chinquapin, is a genus of eight or nine species of deciduous trees and shrubs in the beech family Fagaceae, native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The name also refers to the edible nuts they produce.-Species:The chestnut belongs to the...
flour. Chestnuts have always been used in CorsicaCorsicaCorsica is an island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is located west of Italy, southeast of the French mainland, and north of the island of Sardinia....
as a cereal, but it was necessary to carry out studies for many years to validate the qualities of chestnut flour. The high fermentability of chestnuts helps to maintain the beer's head and gives Pietra beer its golden colour. - Fischer Desperados is a Tequila Beer, as is Les Brasseurs de Gayant Tequieros.
- George Killian's Biere Rousse, also known as Kylian, is an Irish red ale brewed by Pelforth near Lille.
Brewpubs
There is a chain of about 7 brewpubs called Frog and Rosbif, which blend British and French traditions. ('Frog' is the English nickname for the French, and Rosbif or "roast beefRoast beef
Roast beef is a dish of beef which is roasted in an oven. Essentially prepared as a main meal, the leftovers can be and are often served within sandwiches and sometimes is used to make hash...
" the French nickname for the English). The pubs are decorated in a broadly British style, and serve a selection of ales, stout
Stout
Stout is a dark beer made using roasted malt or barley, hops, water and yeast. Stouts were traditionally the generic term for the strongest or stoutest porters, typically 7% or 8%, produced by a brewery....
s and wheat beer
Wheat beer
Wheat beer is a beer that is brewed with a large proportion of wheat. Wheat beers often also contain a significant proportion of malted barley. Wheat beers are usually top-fermented...
.
There is also a chain of about 20 American style brewpub-restaurants operating under the name Les 3 Brasseurs (The Three Brewers), which extends outside the country.
Beer cafés
Establishments selling a wide selection of bottled and draught beers can be found urban areas. An example is the Pub St Germain in the Latin QuarterLatin Quarter
Latin Quarter is a part of the 5th arrondissement in Paris.Latin Quarter may also refer to:* Latin Quarter , a British pop/rock band* Latin Quarter , a 1945 British film*Latin Quarter, Aarhus, part of Midtbyen, Aarhus C, Denmark...
of Paris. Some beer cafés are Belgian-themed with cuisine to match.
Beer festivals
Beer festivalBeer festival
A Beer Festival is an organised event during which a variety of beers are available for tasting and purchase. Beer festivals are held in a number of countries...
s are held in Schiltigheim
Schiltigheim
Schiltigheim is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France.The inhabitants are called Schilikois in French and Scheligemer in Alsatian....
(August) and Felletin
Felletin
Felletin is a commune in the Creuse department in the Limousin region in central France.-Geography:An area of lakes and streams, forestry and farming comprising a small town and several villages and hamlets situated by the banks of the Creuse River just south of Aubusson at the junction of the...
(July).