Farmhouse Ales defines the results of years of evolution, refinement, of simple rustic ales in modern and historical terms, while guiding today's brewers toward credible--and enjoyable--reproductions of these old world classics.
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Phil Markowski
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71 of 71 people found the following review helpful
By Jeff Stearns
Format:Paperback
Farmhouse Ales focuses on the Biere de Garde of northern France and the Saison ales of Belgium. Neither of these styles is a single type of beer, but rather a category of ales made locally with various brewing methods and array of ingredients, including spices. The brewing methods in these areas continue to evolve and do not necessarily relate to the styles of the past. Although the styles have an amorphous nature, this book provided me with a clear understanding of Biere de Garde and Saison.
Experienced brewers will discover plenty of information in this book, especially ideas that go against the common convictions about brewing. What about fermenting at high temperatures? Mixing yeasts? Red wine type yeasts? Warm storage? Markowski takes the view that brewing is a process of experimentation, rather than following set recipes. Obviously this book is not for a beginning home brewer.
Markowski argues that though the classification of beer styles is useful, the classifications should not be used to inhibit the brewer from coming up with something much different. I agree with this. What is the use of always imitating commercial beers? Our fascination with brewing is to discover a new taste through experimentation.
This book covers the past and present styles of Biere de Garde and Saison (including an informative essay by Yvan De Baets on how Saison evolved), and provides a list of the breweries producing the styles, detailing grains, hops, temperatures and other brewing details, along with tasting notes on the beers they produce.
In sections on brewing the styles, the sample recipes are just guidelines (in the spirit of experimentation) rather than set formulas. You must decide what overall weight of grains you will use and then calculate percentages of the grain types. You also must calculate the amount of hops you will use to achieve the target IBU. The brewing notes about the styles are highly instructive, providing the parameters of grains that can be added, even the ranges of various spices for Saison. Such details must come from a lot of labor in the brewery.
Experienced brewers will discover plenty of information in this book, especially ideas that go against the common convictions about brewing. What about fermenting at high temperatures? Mixing yeasts? Red wine type yeasts? Warm storage? Markowski takes the view that brewing is a process of experimentation, rather than following set recipes. Obviously this book is not for a beginning home brewer.
Markowski argues that though the classification of beer styles is useful, the classifications should not be used to inhibit the brewer from coming up with something much different. I agree with this. What is the use of always imitating commercial beers? Our fascination with brewing is to discover a new taste through experimentation.
This book covers the past and present styles of Biere de Garde and Saison (including an informative essay by Yvan De Baets on how Saison evolved), and provides a list of the breweries producing the styles, detailing grains, hops, temperatures and other brewing details, along with tasting notes on the beers they produce.
In sections on brewing the styles, the sample recipes are just guidelines (in the spirit of experimentation) rather than set formulas. You must decide what overall weight of grains you will use and then calculate percentages of the grain types. You also must calculate the amount of hops you will use to achieve the target IBU. The brewing notes about the styles are highly instructive, providing the parameters of grains that can be added, even the ranges of various spices for Saison. Such details must come from a lot of labor in the brewery.
35 of 36 people found the following review helpful
By Bigfoot
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book contains a wealth of practical information for the experienced homebrewer, without being dry or stuffy. Thankfully, there are no pages wasted on "brewing for beginners" or "equipment you'll need to get started"; it is assumed the reader already has a basic knowledge of all-grain brewing procedures, and beer appreciation in general.
Discussion of historical and geographic influences on saison and biere de garde are interesting and kept to a minumum. Of particular interest is the text devoted to paragons of both styles- describing their evolutions, specific malts and hops used, abv and attenuation, yeasts, gravities, fermentation temperatures, aging, water profiles, and so on... everything one would need to reverse-engineer a clone beer, if one chose to do so.
It is not, however, a collection of clone recipes. The samples recipes for variations of both styles are intended as guidelines, easily adaptable to individual brewhouse procedures and efficiencies. Also, the parameters are so diverse that it is difficult, if not impossible, to define style guidelines, a fact that the author acknowledges. This loose end can be frustrating to the reader.
Overall, a useful book; solid information, and nothing irrelevant or overtechnical.
Discussion of historical and geographic influences on saison and biere de garde are interesting and kept to a minumum. Of particular interest is the text devoted to paragons of both styles- describing their evolutions, specific malts and hops used, abv and attenuation, yeasts, gravities, fermentation temperatures, aging, water profiles, and so on... everything one would need to reverse-engineer a clone beer, if one chose to do so.
It is not, however, a collection of clone recipes. The samples recipes for variations of both styles are intended as guidelines, easily adaptable to individual brewhouse procedures and efficiencies. Also, the parameters are so diverse that it is difficult, if not impossible, to define style guidelines, a fact that the author acknowledges. This loose end can be frustrating to the reader.
Overall, a useful book; solid information, and nothing irrelevant or overtechnical.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As a homebrewer, it's hard to read this book and not immediately want to brew. What's great about this title (and all of the others in this series) is that it can inspire anyone who's brewed before. For the less-adventurous among us, there's plenty of information here to credibly recreate a "typical" saison or biere-de-garde even if you've never tasted one before. For the more seasoned brewer, however, the frank discussions of the intricate history of these beers and the vageries of style inspire you to create your own unique farmhouse ale.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Into the world of Saison and Biere de Garde
Gave me recipes, insight to historical methods used to brew these beverages, commercial examples, and anything one might want to know about Saison and Biere de Garde.
Published 19 days ago by David Pillor
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book!
I wanted to learn more about farmhouse ales since reading about them in another book. I do some home brewing and am intrigued by this tradition of brewing. Read more
Published 2 months ago by chris pace
5.0 out of 5 stars
Reveals truths about Belgian beers.
Provides a realistic definition of Belgian brewing methods. Reveals realities of ingredients and fermentation practices. Identifies specific yeasts and their sources.
Published 3 months ago by S. Backlund
4.0 out of 5 stars
A whole new world explained for brewers
I loved this book so much, I've read it numerous times. It really gets me enthusiastic about brewing more traditional and historical styles of beers.
Published 3 months ago by Tangent77
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
Bought this as a gift for my dad. He loved it! I cant wait to try out the results of these recipes
Published 4 months ago by Timothy W. Hardin
3.0 out of 5 stars
not what was expected
This book is very informative but is more a history than a how to, still interesting but not for thosw who want to brew their own
Published 11 months ago by R. Stuart
4.0 out of 5 stars
Farmhouse ales...
This is a very thorough review of french biere de garde (who knew that france had a brewing tradition!?) and the belgian style saisons. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Frank Moskos
4.0 out of 5 stars
Quality information with inconsistent and mediocre delivery
Farmhouse ales contains incredibly useful information about biere de garde and saison style ales including history, in depth brewery profiles, recipies, ingredients, brewing... Read more
Published on January 23, 2011 by J. Rosenfeld
4.0 out of 5 stars
Better than expected
While this book does stay on track regarding these ales, if you are looking for recipes or a how to book with specifics you will be disappointed. Read more
Published on December 25, 2010 by M. Scherer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Saions?! Look no Further
This book is great. It's a narrow, but informative, focus on the Biere de Garde & Saison/Farmhouse Ale styles. Read more
Published on August 10, 2010 by Kristofor W. Barnes
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