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Biere de Norma

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Lightly tart and floral, with the character of barrel aging. Hill Farmstead crafts this Bière de Mars from American malted barley and Farmstead ale yeast, then conditions it in wine barrels with its resident microflora until it is ready, at 7%. The name honors Norma (1939–2011), the brewer's maternal grandmother, whom he calls his guardian angel.

ABV
7%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Herbal, floral bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceTwo or Three
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
floraltartoak
floral
tart
oak
sour
funky
fruity
Aroma
The nose opens with pronounced floral and herbal notes, backed by subtle earthiness from the barrel aging.
also:spicy,yeasty
not found:hoppy,caramel,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Biere de Norma

◎ Appearance

Pale golden hue with bright clarity and fine carbonation evident in the glass. A delicate, persistent head forms and clings to the sides with modest lacing. The visual presentation suggests a refined, bottle-conditioned ale of gentle character.

pale goldenbright clarityfine carbonationdelicate lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with pronounced floral and herbal notes, backed by subtle earthiness from the barrel aging. Soft oak undertones emerge alongside a restrained funkiness characteristic of wild fermentation. The overall impression is elegant and complex, without harsh or aggressive aromatics.

floral, herbalsoft oaksubtle funkwild-fermented

◐ Taste

The palate delivers a lightly tart, gently sour entry balanced by smooth malt character from American barley. Mid-palate reveals layered complexity—drying oak notes, subtle spice, and low-level fruitiness interweave with restrained bitterness. The mouthfeel remains refined and never cloying despite the 7% ABV.

lightly tartsmooth maltoak-agedbalanced bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and crisp, with lingering floral and funky notes fading gradually. A mild astringency from barrel contact persists without overpowering the overall impression.

dry, crisplingering floral
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
84
Appearance
78
Finish
80
Serve at 6–9°C

Serve at 6–9°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Biere de Norma

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About Bière de Garde

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Bière de Garde?

Bière de Garde is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Bière de Garde

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same floral, tart, oak character as Biere de Norma will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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