Today, let’s discover the Farmhouse beer style, originally from Wallonia in Belgium. Find out what a Farmhouse beer is—a cousin of saison and aged beers.
Definition of Farmhouse beer
Farmhouse is a term used to designate all categories of traditional rural beers. Translated from English as “farmhouse beer,” this style is actually a broad family that includes various Northern European styles: aging beers, seasonal beers, and more. What they all have in common is their origin—originally brewed by farmers for seasonal workers during the agricultural season.
Historically, Farmhouse beers date back to the mid-17th century, with the first seasonal beer brewed by the Dupont brewery. At that time, brewing technology was not as advanced, so brewers took advantage of the cold winter months to prepare beers for the spring and summer. These beers would ferment for weeks or months, often using whatever grains and ingredients were available. This explains the great variety found among farmhouse beers.
How good is a Farmhouse beer?
Much like seasonal beers, Farmhouse beers are diverse and surprising. This style allows the brewer a great deal of creative freedom—whether it's a blonde or a darker version, low or high in alcohol. Traditionally, Farmhouse beers were light in alcohol to refresh seasonal workers. Today, brewers push the boundaries, creating Farmhouse ales with varied profiles.
These beers are known for their high attenuation, resulting in a dry and crisp finish. They often have fruity, citrusy notes and can feature spicy aromas. Darker variations lean toward rich malt flavors like biscuit or toast. Compared to lagers, Farmhouse beers typically have a higher alcohol content and offer a more complex aromatic palette. Despite color differences, they share common traits: refreshing mouthfeel, high carbonation, and a clean, dry finish.
What is the difference between saison and farmhouse?
There isn’t a clear-cut difference between saison and farmhouse beer. In fact, a saison can be considered a type of farmhouse ale. The term “Farmhouse Ale” is more frequently used in the United States than in Europe and refers to the same rustic Belgian style. Farmhouse ales are often brewed with wild yeast strains like Brettanomyces, which contribute to their signature effervescence and slight funk.
To learn more about these styles, check out our article on the definition of seasonal beer.
Discover our full selection of Farmhouse beers.
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Discover others styles of beers : What is an Eisbock beer ? What is a Baltic Porter-style beer ? What is a Kellerbier ?
