Beer is the second most popular alcoholic drink in France. The market is dominated by large breweries, but smaller producers are growing. French beer is typically a light lager, though the northern regions have a strong tradition of farmhouse ales.
How it is made
Most French beer is produced by bottom fermentation, resulting in light lagers. The northern regions, particularly Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Alsace, are known for traditional top-fermented styles. These include Bière de Garde, a farmhouse ale, and seasonal beers like Bière de Mars and Bière de Noël. These seasonal beers are brewed in autumn for winter consumption.
History
Beer has been brewed in France since the Middle Ages, with the strongest traditions in the north. Before industrialization, brewing was done in monasteries and rural breweries for local consumption. The number of breweries dropped significantly as the rural population declined and industrial production grew. World Wars I and II destroyed many breweries and their equipment. After World War II, the industry recovered. In recent decades, interest in quality beer has revived, leading to the opening of many new breweries that are reviving old local varieties.
Types and styles
Bière de Garde is a traditional northern French farmhouse ale. The name means "beer for keeping." Historically, it was brewed in early spring and stored in cool cellars. Today, it is brewed year-round. It has a sweet, malty taste and is less spicy than Belgian Saison. It comes in blonde, brune, and ambrée varieties. Bière de Mars is a spring seasonal ale brewed with spring barley. It is an ale with an alcohol content of 4.5% to 5.5% and is usually darker than German Märzen. Bière de Noël is a rich, strong beer brewed in October for the winter.
Monastic and abbey beers
Trappist beer is brewed by or under the control of Trappist monks. Only eight monasteries worldwide produce this beer and can use the Authentic Trappist Product label. Mont des Cats is a Trappist beer brewed by the Abbey of Notre-Dame de Scourmont in Chimay, Belgium, on behalf of the French abbey of Sainte Marie du Mont des Cats. The abbey's brewery was destroyed in World War I. The abbey began selling its own beer in 2011. Abbey beer is a general term for strong Belgian ales brewed in a Trappist style by secular breweries.
Adapted from the Russian Wikipedia article Пиво во Франции, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.