Farmhouse Ales: Culture and Craftsmanship in the Belgian Tradition

I bought Farmhouse Ales: Culture and Craftsmanship in the Belgian Tradition to add to my beer book collection and to gain some more detailed insight into the saison and biere de garde styles. Although I am only partway through reading this book by Phil Markowski, I find it very informative and highly recommend it.Here’s some more information straight from the back cover of the book:Readers interested in the cuisine and beers of Belgium will enjoy discovering Farmhouse Ales, The text delves into Wallonian saison and French biere de garde, as well as related specialties such as grisette, biere de Mars and biere de Noel. By exploring both ingredients and process, veteran brewer Phil Markowski shows what distinguishes these flavorful ales and why they hold a special place in the world of beer.About the Author:A professional brewer since 1989, Phil Markoswski is recognized as one of the country’s leading authorities on the flavor and brewing of Belgium beer styles and especially farmhouse ales. As brewmaster at the Southhampton Publick House, he has collected numerous awards for his Belgian ales and other tasty brews. In 2003, the Association of Brewers honored him with the Russell Schehrer award for Innovation in Craft Brewing.MSRP: $17.95Publisher: Brewers Publication – A division of the Brewers Association, Boulder, COPublished in 2004.

Being a homebrewer and drinking Belgian beer led me to this book. I'm always interested in learning more about tradition and regions of whatever I might try to brew up, and this book was fascinatingly helpful, especially the section on Saison.Yes, the book has recipes and guides for any spice additions you might use, and info on water, yeast and hop value. This is NOT a book for a beginner brewer, but is a welcome companion for an intermediate level homebrewer, or if you are historically curious. Knowledge is good.Published in 2004, I did find myself amused where the author Yvan De Baets "A History of Saison" section states "Authentic saisons,along with traditional lambic beers, are certainly the most fascinating styles of old beers that still exists in Belgium. Unfortunately, they are part of a family of beers that is endangered since they no longer appeal to the tastes of the consumers who have become used to sweet and simplified flavors; therefore we absolutely must support or revive them in their authentic version or they shall become extinct."In 2013, I can say that the state of saisons and lambic ale is more popular than ever, because of homebrewers and the American craft beer movement. These styles are no longer in danger of becoming extinct. Cheers!

Phil Markowski, Southampton Publick House’s brewmaster and brewer of the highly acclaimed Southampton Publick House Saison Deluxe writes the book of farmhouse ales. He is assisted by Lost Abbey’s brewmaster Tomme Arthur and Brasserie de la Senne’s founder and brewmaster Yvan De Baets. Markowski introduces farmhouse ales with a discussion on the history and current status of the beer and a brief discussion on style. He devotes about a third of the Book to Biere de Garde, the farmhouse ale of northern France and nearly half to the Belgian farmhouse ale, Saison. Both sections give an overview of the style, discuss brewing the style and provide sample recipes. While the book is packed with practical experience it will probably appeal more to the fan of farmhouse ales than to the novice home brewer. While there is more meat on beer making traditions, experienced homebrewers should be able to take the information in this this book and improve their farmhouse ales.

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.

I found this book to be fun and informative to read. I am an avid homebrewer that loves to experiment. This book gives a useful account about how the beers of rural Belgium came to be. In particular, the author explores how culture and geography combined to create the beers of the region.For me the best chapter was "A Word on Style". The quote "Perhaps no other family of beers can frustrate the style police like farmhouse ales..." gives an idea of the attitude of this book. The point is made that "style" is sometimes over defined and stifles creativity. The point is to make good beer.The book does not set out to prescribe what a farmhouse ale should be. Rather it describes the history of the farmhouse ales and their modern successors. The book does give some recipes and suggestions, but makes the point that these are starting points for experimentation.As a brewer who views style very broadly and loves to learn new techniques and experiment, I greatly enjoyed this book. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys beer and brewing.

Amazing book showcasing farmhouse beer!

Seriously good book.Lots of backstory, good recipes, history, etc...If you like these kinds of beers and want to learn more about what goes into making them, this is an excellent book.

Livre très intéressant. Incontournable pour quiconque se passionne pour la bière. Excellentes recettes aussi pour le homebrewer!

Great book if you are into brewing, or just to read.

Great book! Would recommend to anyone desire to brew saison or biere de garde