The Red Flemish

La Rouge Flamande — in Italian The Flemish Red — is the amber beer crafted by Brasserie Thiriez, a small craft brewery in Esquelbecq, a village of just over 2,000 inhabitants in the Nord - Pas de Calais region, on the border between France and Belgium. With this beer, Thiriez proudly claims the brewing heritage of its land and brings it to the glass: the Bière de Garde, the only style recognized as having French origins, almost extinct and today preserved by very few producers worldwide.

An almost extinct style: Bière de Garde

Bière de Garde originates from the farming tradition of northern France: beers brewed in winter and spring, stored (garde = guarding, preservation) in cellars until summer to be consumed during fieldwork. A rustic, malty style with a fermentative complexity that clearly sets it apart from industrial lagers. Thiriez is one of the very few breweries in the world to produce it with authenticity and artisanal rigor.

Technical sheet

• Style: Bière de Garde (amber)
• Color: Copper amber
• Producer: Brasserie Thiriez — Esquelbecq, Nord - Pas de Calais, France
• Serving temperature: 8–10°C
• Recommended glass: Chalice or tulip

Sensory profile

On the nose, it opens with notes of toasted malt, caramel, and dried fruit, with an earthy and spicy background typical of Thiriez’s artisanal fermentation. On the palate, it is round and enveloping, with a malty sweetness balanced by moderate bitterness and a slight acidity reminiscent of northern traditional beers. The finish is long, warm, and slightly dry — a contemplative beer to be savored slowly.

Why choose La Rouge Flamande

• Extremely rare style — Bière de Garde is one of the hardest styles to find in an authentic craft version: Thiriez is one of the guardians of this tradition
• Brasserie Thiriez — a family brewery from northern France, 7 people, 2,000 hectoliters per year, unfiltered, unpasteurized beers, bottle-conditioned
• Strong territorial identity — every sip tells the story of Esquelbecq, French Flanders, and the brewing tradition of a border region between two great beer cultures
• Beer for discovery and collection — perfect for enthusiasts who want to explore historic styles and producers outside the mainstream circuits

Recommended pairings

Braised meats and stews, game, aged and hard cheeses, northern charcuterie (pâté, rillettes), dishes from Flemish and Alsatian cuisine. The malty complexity holds up very well to intense flavors and rich fats.

Buy La Rouge Flamande online at Maltese.beer — fast shipping within 24-48 hours throughout Italy. An authentic Bière de Garde from one of the very few breweries in the world that still produces it with artisanal rigor. Discover all Thiriez beers →