Eats

It's official: new Bayou Teche beer

by Walter Pierce

The upcoming Festivals Acadiens et Creoles has an official beer: Bayou Teche Brewing's recently released Acadie, a traditional French bière de garde, or farmhouse brew.

The upcoming Festivals Acadiens et Creoles has an official beer: Bayou Teche Brewing's recently released Acadie, a traditional French bière de garde, or farmhouse brew.

"France's elegant contribution to the world's beer styles is bière de garde - translated it means beer for keeping' and has been brewed on French farms for centuries," explains Bayou Teche's Karlos Knott. " Just as the French proudly brew their traditional ale, we have crafted an artisanal version we call Acadie in memory of our Acadian homeland."

As Bayou Teche's head brewer Gar Hatcher explains, "As a bière de garde, Acadie offers the style's prominent malty aroma. A freshly poured beer is highly carbonated and bronze colored with a nice, thick off-white head. The beer is malty with an underlying caramel sweetness, yet finishes medium-dry. The restrained use of imported French hops provides its balanced bitterness." Layman's translation: it's good.

The limited edition beer is available in six packs and kegs in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and soon in Georgia.

And mark your calendars: Festivals Acadiens et Creoles will be held Oct. 12-14 at Girard Park, with satellite events taking place elsewhere. Log onto the festival website here.