90 Rating: 413 Farmhouse Ale by Big Elm Brewing

413 Farmhouse Ale by Big Elm Brewing is being evaluated as a Biere de Garde (2015 BJCP Category 24C) due to the malt-forward backbone coupled with a restrained Belgian character. 

This farmhouse ale is quite a bit different than your typical, grippingly dry saison that many may call a farmhouse ale. 413 presents a solid base of grainy malt with moderate honeycomb in the nose. Restrained red delicious apple and white pepper provide intrigue, and as it warms, pear and orange characters emerge as does a delicate floral note. 

The biscuity, honey malt backbone continues to reinforce the beer in the flavor and not only opens the taste but lingers far into the aftertaste after a semi-dry finish. In the middle, you’ll be pleasantly greeted by a restrained Belgian fermentation profile of pepper and pomme fruit. Hints of alcohol and tangerine mingle with the other flavors that remind you that this is indeed still a beer and not a watery beverage. 

413 is a Biere de Garde in all the right ways. It’s deceptively complex yet it still displays a high level of drinkability. 413 is a great beer for the people who are timid to try a complex Belgian beer or those searching to hone their palates.