Why is the Biere De Garde style so under-used and under appreciated?

I don't know about under-used, but I find it's often mis-used. Seems like many US breweries think saison + lagering = biere de garde. The New Belgium /Vivant collab is very tasty, but I sure wouldn't call it a biere de garde.

I think the style will pick up a following whenever folks get over hops, sour, and whiskey being the end all be all of beer flavors.

 

Definitely one of my favorite styles, thankfully Southampton and Ommegang make fantastic ones, and I'm in NY.

 

I've had 11 of the style and only 2 I rated below a 4 so I guess I'm a fan.

 

Schlafly's version is awesome. That's my fave so far.

 

I've only had a few, but I've been consistently underwhelmed.

 

I remember this one being pretty damn good: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/2958/30955

 

I think there are decent amount of them out there, it's just not a terribly exciting style. It's kind of analogous to Belgian beers the way Brown Ales are to American beers. (not stylistically) Nothing wrong with them, and they can be done well, but it's really hard to brew a Brown or a Biere de Garde that will excite anybody. In fact, the ones that are well regarded tend to take a lot of liberties with the style.

 

That's a great beer, but calling it a Biere de Garde is stretching it in numerous directions. It's really just a blended wild ale. When I think traditional BdG I think something more like this:
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/380/2360

 

yeah, Bon Chien is more sour and has less, if any, carbonation than any other BdG I've ever had but damn, I don't care what Jerome calls it it's a damn fine beer!
(who's got my 2008 Bon Chien so I can finish my 6 year verticle?)

 

It's a boring style with an interesting name.

 

the bottle says it's a BdG

 

Do you not like malty beers?

This is why BdG doesn't mean anything.

 

I do enjoy the style, but I admit I haven't had many examples of it. There are offerings out there, but you generally have to go looking for them.

 

Some, more specifically english Barleywines, malty Belgians like Dubbels and Quads.

 

Two Brother's Domaine DuPage is perfect, one of my favorite brews.

 

interesting to see this considering i just ordered 1/6k of Biere De Mars for the bar

 

You don't see a lot of them because its a balanced style, and the American craft beer scene as a whole isn't mature enough yet for most drinkers to appreciate balanced styles. ESB would fall into the same category.