I think you're right not to use a saison yeast. It's not a saison! I'd be inclined to use something like Safale S-33. I like your recipe even if I'd prefer to use fewer malts. Your choice of hops is spot on. You could even use Barbe Rouge throughout.
Which is your favourite bière de garde? I only really enjoy the blondes and I think La Choulette is my prefered pint.
There ain't many BdG available here in Norway. We have Kinn Solsnu which is decent, but not what have triggered me to brew this style. I've seen recipes suggesting S-33 for a Solsnu-clone. But I got a fresh and washed Köln slurry so I don't bother buying S-33 now. My impression is that the more blonde and pale have a more yeasty flavour. But memory might trick me.
It's probably Jenlain ambree which I've had years ago made me wanting to brew something similar. Having bought a couple of French hops made the final push. Makes sense to try these in a french style, even if I know most commercials uses German Hops.
From the description I'm a bit reluctant to use too much Barbe Rouge, I haven't tried it yet, but it's supposedly quite fruity. And it's recommended to pair with a more noble-ish hop. Surely I could use it bittering, but that seems a bit wasted. The Opal was a bit disappointing to me using it as bittering makes sense. Have considered Magnum for bittering also.
I most likely use the rest of Barbe Rouge in a English IPA, bitter, ESB or Irish red.
As for the grist, I usually keep it more simple, and have considered getting rid of Vienna and Biscuit to increase Munich and Caramunich. But is afraid it's ending up a bit on the sweet side. Wheat is for head retention.
A simplified grist:
In the absence of the White Labs French Ale strain (WLP073 - only available a few months of the year), a kölsch strain is the most-appropriate.
I prefer the ambrée versions, which yours looks like. What's the estimated SG? A bit of sugar may help to stop it from being too cloying.
Are you planning to lager?
Interested where you got your aramis and barbe rouge from? TMM used to sell Alsatian hops but haven't for a few years.
I intend on brewing one in the spring to lay down for next Christmas and also do a bière de Mars for more-immediate drinking.
I prefer the ambree as well. Paler I prefer Belgian Blonde/ Saison or cleaner like pilsner/ kölsch
Lallemand Köln have quite high attenuation, estimated attenuation from SG 1.061 to FG is 1.012 which low enough. I'm a bottler and don't drink that much, so I'm natural lagering due to my drinking pattern
. I'm sure I'll try i before but hope it will peak in Mars, and since this is in the lower end of OG for a BdG and might be a tad more hoppy, I'll call it a Biere de Mars.
I've found Barbe Rouge here. I think they ship to UK.
https://www.thehomebrewery.co.uk/barbe-rouge-hops-100g
They also have Mistral
https://www.thehomebrewery.co.uk/mistral-hops-100g
Btw to find hops using this term
"Hopname Pellets site:.no"
For UK:
Aramis pellets site:.co.uk