The Bière de Garde (“beer for keeping”) first emerged in northern rural France. Similar in style to the Belgian Saison, Bière de Gardes were originally brewed in farmhouses during fall and winter to avoid the unpredictability of yeast during warmer summer months. For Scratch #179, we’re revisiting Bière de Grouch, a collaboration between long-time beer writer Jack Curtin and Tröegs brewer Tim Mayhew originally brewed for Philly Beer Week 2012. Like his snark-filled rants, Jack’s beer tastes veer toward the peppery, yeasty flavor that dominates this traditional French farmhouse style. The high-temperature fermentation and addition of black pepper unite to create a deceptively crisp, clean flavor for a beer teetering at almost 7% ABV.