We first tasted these beers back in 2016, and were immediately struck by their craftsmanship and unparalleled flavour. For the last three years at Salon des Vins Libres in Alsace, ready to switch things up after a million mouthfuls of wine, we enjoyed them again and were delighted by their incredible freshness. Loved by the gastronomy scene, natural winemakers (and drinkers), and beer connoisseurs, we’re very happy to share this bottle that marries blonde beer with Pinot Noir lees. Brasserie des Voirons is situated in Lucinges, nestled at an altitude of 712 metres with the Alpine scenery below and Mont Blanc a magnificent backdrop. Christophe Grellier worked as a chef before opening a small auberge here, which he ran for a decade before taking the brewery over from friends in 2011. Excited by the opportunity to create beers he personally enjoyed, Christophe began brewing, with a similar approach to developing recipes in the kitchen, At the heart of these beers and their exceptional quality is the purity of the water they are made with; mineral water from the Gavot Plateau above Évian-les-Bains, slowly and naturally filtered through the glaciers of the Alps. Brewed by hand, with the desire to preserve craftsmanship and tradition, the beers are spontaneously fermented and made without additives, using organic, high quality ingredients. Christophe favours longer fermentations and ageing, both playing an important role in the structure and depth of the beers. Three distinct styles have emerged: the LUG range, the foundation of the brewery which are easy drinking, top-fermented beers — lightly hopped and refreshing, with the aromas of malted grains. The infused beers are made in sandstone amphorae with natural ingredients, some foraged from the surrounding mountain slopes, and all carefully selected for a delicate blend of flavours. And finally, what Christophe calls the ‘Vigneronne’ series; the barrels and bottles where beer meets wine. These beers are an ode to the winemaker’s work, made with the lees and grapes of friends from gently farmed vineyards with distinctive terroir, often in the same barrel the wine was aged in.
Biere Vivante de Jeannot is from this winemaker series, a blonde beer aged for 8 months in Burgundy barrels, on Pinot Noir lees from Yann Durieux. The fourth generation of a family of winemakers, Yann has made his own mark in Burgundy and beyond. The Pinot Noir lees give a touch of red fruit, and an additional layer of complexity to the beer. Lay it down for a few years, or chill and enjoy right away.