Top 14 Best French Beers

Top 14 Best French Beers

*Originally published by Jordan on February 2020 and updated by Vanessa R in August 2022

Despite being revered for their excellent wine, French beer usually gets a bad rap abroad. And to be fair, almost 90% of beer consumed in France is mass-produced by a huge conglomerate like Heineken or 1664.

But that remaining ten percent still leaves room for hope, especially when you consider that beer making is an age-old tradition in many parts of France! And thanks to a crop up of microbreweries throughout France, there are a lot more options to choose from nowadays.

Read on to discover some French brewing traditions and the top 14 French beers.

1. La Bière des sans Culottes – Nord Pas de Calais

Photo courtesy of La Choulette brewery – Sourced from their official website

The first up on my top 10 French beers is a strong one. And with 9%ABV they’re not kidding around at La Choulette Brewery either. Pardon my French, but the bière des sans culottes roughly translates to: the panty dropper beer.

The North of France is known for its interesting accents and strong beer, this one is no exception. La Choulette brewery created la bière sans culottes back in 1983, and there are several varieties today. The most popular by far is the amber rendition, a deeply flavorful beer with plenty of malty notes.

2. La Cagole – Marseille

La Cagole Blonde – Sourced from their official website

Hailing from Marseille in the south of France, La Cagole is a well-known microbrewery making three varieties of beer. Their most popular is the blonde ale which is refreshing and crisp. You an find La Cagole easily in supermarkets in the south, and many bars have it on tap as well. And a little history: a cagole is a brazen, fiesty woman in Marseillaise slang – you can’t miss the bright yellow label with a Marseillaise girl on it!

3. Bière des Trois Monts – Nord Pas de Calais

Easily one of the top 10 French beers is the hearty Trois Monts. This specific type of beer is called a bière de garde and was designed to be aged once bottled. Bière de garde dates back centuries. And hailing from the cooler northern region of France, they were usually corked and kept in cellars to age during the winter.

This special aging process results in a higher alcohol content and a noticeable malty flavor. Today the Bière des Trois Monts is one of the most popular bières de garde in France! You’ll find it in just about any supermarket. But beware,  this one packs a punch at 8% ABV.

4. Licorne Black Beer – Alsace

One of the more original ones on my top 10 French beers is actually a black beer. Picture a Guinness in color, and add a subtle smokiness to the flavor and you’ve got Licorne Black Beer. And at 6%ABV it’s not so light either. But the very unique color and taste have gained Licorne somewhat of a cult following. Actually, this beer is made by Licorne Brasserie, and is one of the most famous in the Alsace region.

5. Barge du Canal – Paris

Photo courtesy of Gerrie Van Der Welt on Unsplash

Born from Paname Brewing Company in Paris, the Barge du Canal is their signature beer. This is an IPA well-deserving of the title at 69 IBU. They use Citra and Cascade hops to get just the right amount of bitterness. Overall, the result is refreshing and hoppy with a light citrus taste; the perfect IPA.

While easily one of the best French beers, this one isn’t all too easy to find outside Paris. My recommendation is to enjoy a cold one on site at Paname Brewing Co. They’ve got a great microbrewery set up right on the banks of the Bassin de la Vilette. If you’re not able to make it to Paris, you can order their beers online, and usually find them in specialty beer shops.

6. Triple Grain Blonde – Lyon

Photo courtesy of Brasserie Dulion – Source from their website

A triple style beer is actually a Belgian brewing method. Usually heavy, malty and almost caramel like in flavor, this style of beer was invented by Belgian monks centuries ago. Since then, the traditions have been passed down, and triple style beers are popular all over France.

This particular Triple Grain Blonde comes from Brasserie Dulion, in Lyon. The triple style still makes it a strong beer at 9% ABV, but the taste is anything but overpowering and heavy. Dulion makes all organic beer, with certified regional products, and without malt. This gives their beers a true sense of terroir, you can taste where they come from! Some of their beers are gluten free, too.

7. Originale – Paris

Originale is the shining star of Maison BAPBAP, a Parisian microbrewery. This beer was one of their first, and it’s been a steadfast favorite with locals over the years. This simple pale ale is a self-described combination of smooth Belgian ales and the hoppier, almost spicy American beers. The result is a light and crisp pale ale, not too hoppy, not too bitter and not too strong at 5.9%ABV.

Most Parisian supermarkets now stock Maison BAPBAP, but you can find them in any craft beer shop. Better yet, stop into their microbrewery and see for yourself.

8. Gallia Lager – Paris

Paris used to be home to many a brewery, and for many years you could get a decent beer at your corner cafe. Or so I’m told. Gallia is one of the places from the good old days dating back to 1890! The Parisian microbrewery started making beer again in 2009, and Gallia has been one of the top 10 French beers ever since.

Their lager in particular can be found just about anywhere and satisfies a craving for a tasty craft beer. Balanced and with a crisp finish, this lager is the perfect companion for a Parisian picnic.

9. Britt Blanche – Brittany

Britt Blanche is a classic white beer hailing from Brittany, one of France’s westernmost regions. This is a classic wheat beer made with buckwheat malt, which gives it a more unique taste.

Actually, Britt Blanche is one of the most popular beers in Brittany, and you’ll find it on tap in just about any pub there. At 4.7%, this is a popular lunchtime beer. You can also find it in supermarkets, there’s an adorable puffin on the label which makes it hard to miss.

10. Bière Blonde Extra Bellerose – Nord Pas de Calais

Courtesy of Bellerose Brewery – Sourced from their official website

No surprise that another one of our top 10 French beers hails from the North of the country. As I mentioned before, this region is very close to Belgium and is reputed for its expert beer brewing abilities.

The Bière blonde extra from Bellerose brewery illustrates the local techniques perfectly. This is a classic Belgian-style blond beer which is slightly malty but still refreshing. If you’re a fan of IPA and want to try Belgian beers, this may be a good place to start.

11. The Despérados

Desperado du Blavet by Pymouss from Wikimedia Commons

The Despé, often known as Desperados, was first brewed in Alsace in 1995 at a facility that Heineken France later acquired. It is a beer targeted at young people, and as may be predicted, the tequila smells and strong, nuanced, and distinctive flavour have charmed the younger market.

Despé is regarded as an oddball beer since it is a little more “upmarket” than packaged beers like Kronenbourg and more akin to a faintly alcoholic drink than a full-fledged beer. That doesn’t mean excellent beer enthusiasts can’t enjoy it. In its most basic form, tequila has a clear, dazzling golden colour, a delicate malt flavour, and enticing tequila scents that leave a pleasant aftertaste on the tongue.

12. The Grimbergen

Beer 2 by Floorkoudijs by Wikimedia Commons

This beer, which was originally brewed in Belgium, has been manufactured in France since 1989 by Kronenbourg, and everyone is familiar with the advertisements for it that were often broadcast on television in the year 2000. This beer has personality since it was first made by monks at the monastery of Grimbergen, which was destroyed three times but always rebuilt.

The abbey gave the beer its phoenix logo and its phrases, which have changed several times, such as “Le pouvoir de renaître” or “Et le silence se fait” (the power to be reborn). Although the French division of the company doesn’t make the same varieties of Grimbergen as its Belgian neighbour, it nonetheless offers nine variations of this beer.

13. The Goudale

Lagoudale by Dirk Van Esbroeck from Wikimedia Commons

The Goudale brewery, which also had a colourful past, marked its 100th birthday in 2019 and spent that entire time in France without sacrificing the calibre of its beer. This brewery used to be known as the Grande Brasserie des Enfants de Gayant and marketed its own brews in the nearby towns. The Goudale brand was introduced in 1994 and had tremendous success right away.

It is a blonde beer with a high fermentation rate (7.2°). It has a flavor that is dominated by wheat and coriander, with 5% of caramel malt and 15% wheat. The wheat adds a hint of acidity, while the malt adds a touch of bitterness, giving it a round mouthfeel and a little bitterness. The finished product is delightful; it is a beer to be enjoyed slowly.

14. The 3 Monts Beer

3 Monts glass by Allauddin from Wikimedia Commons

A beer made in the 3 MONTS brewery, which takes its name from the 3 mountains that surround it, in the French province of Flanders. The owners of this brewery, which became 100 years old in 2020, are pleased to have maintained it as a locally and family-owned business.

The brewery has produced a variety of 3 Monts beers throughout the years, but the 3 Monts Bière de Flandre is unquestionably the most well-known. It is the direct descendant of the Flanders recipes and has been brewing for decades.

It is a blond beer with a rapid fermentation rate and an 8.5 percent alcohol level. To liberate the flavour of wheat, berries, and liquorice in its bitter climax, it is best sipped between 8°C and 10°C.

French Food That Pairs Well With Beer

1. Croque-Monsieur

毒島みるく, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

A traditional French sandwich made from two slices of buttered bread with melted cheese, usually Gruyère or Emmental. The bread and cheese are then cooked until they are both crispy. This is the ideal beer snack because the bitterness of the beer contrasts delightfully with the salty gammon and cheese.

2. Escargot

Snails you ask? well, why not right? Snails, often known as escargot, are a speciality of French cuisine. They are served in their shells after being cooked in a delicious garlic and herb butter sauce. Escargot is a delicious side dish with a cold beer because its creamy, buttery flavour balances the maltiness of the beverage.

3. Moules Frites

LittleGun, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The well-known French-Belgian dish mussels and fries are becoming more and more well-known throughout the world. The mussels are cooked in a delicious soup that is often made with white wine, garlic, onions, and herbs. The side dish of crunchy fries is referred to as “frites.” When you’re seeking something savoury, creamy, and with a refreshing iced beer, this would be the ideal supper.

4. Cheese Plate

Cheese doesn’t only go with wine, it also goes well with beer. A cheese platter is an excellent match for beer because France is known for its incredible variety of cheeses. Cheese tends to have different tastes and textures such as Brie, Camembert, Roquefort and Comté which makes for a great meal with beer since they tend to range from creamy and mild to spicy and savoury.