Bière de Mars by Bruz Beers is a blend of a Flanders Red Ale and a Saison and is being evaluated as a Mixed-Style Beer (category 34B from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Flanders Red Ales (category 23B) are sour Belgian ales that are noted for their intense red fruit flavors that give this style a red wine-like character. Saisons (category 25B) are typically well-carbonated, well-attenuated beers with a complex balance between phenolics, esters and hops. Bière de Mars is a blend of Cuvee des Jacobins Prestige Flemish Red Ale from Brouwerij Omer Vander Ghinste of Belgium and Hardywood’s Petite Saison.

Bière de Mars pours light amber in color with good clarity and a small white head. The aroma is moderate cherry esters with a hint of vanilla, a moderate-light lactic acidity, and a hint of malt. The flavor is moderate lactic acidity with a hint of caramel malt, light cherry esters and a hint of acetic acid. The finish is lightly bitter with a clean moderate lactic acidity and a light cherry ester.

Bière de Mars is a very refreshing, moderate lactic acidic beer. Unfortunately, the Saison character is muted by the character of the Flanders Red Ale.  egardless, if you like a sour beer, especially a clean lactic sourness, then this beer will certainly satisfy. Proost!