Avec Les Bons Voeux - Brasserie Dupont sprl

falloutsnow

Illinois

3.15/5  rDev -25%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

From: Piccadilly, Champaign, IL
Date: 2011 on cork
Glass: Tulip

Avec Les Bons Voeux is a strong saison, with traditional flavors slightly increased, but none more than the ethanol, which is easily tasted and felt on this beer. The typical saison yeast, pale malts, and lightly bittering hops are all here, along with an amplified amount of alcohol. Clearly a winter saison, I guess (if increased ethanol is the implication of a winter brew), this would be nice to share a small glass of with friends, but not something I'd seek out for individual consumption again.

Pours a very tall head of large to medium-sized bubbles, white in color, which has average retention for the style. The head collapses to a thick ring around the perimeter of the glass, leaving some significant lacing in its wake. The body is a cloudy golden orange color, light brining out pale orange and yellow hues. Carbonation is active and visible, rising from the center of the glass.

Aroma is rather and surprisingly clean: pilsner and pale malt characters with some Belgian yeast; light lemon citrus; and sweetish, dried grasses.

Tasting opens with pale malt characters, some mild lemon citrus, and bit of flowery herbs. Midpalate picks up saison yeast, mild hop bitterness, and substantial ethanol. Back palate notices hop bitterness, mild to medium saison yeast, and fairly strong ethanol. Lingering aftertaste of ethanol, modest European hop bitterness, and saison yeast.

Beer's body is medium-light to medium, with high, aggressive levels of carbonation. While the carbonation level is typical of some saisons, I don't find it particularly conducive to enjoying the beer as it produces an overly fizzy, at times annoying long-tingling, then finally bubbly mouthfeel that may also obscure some flavors/aromas. Similar to champagne, in overall feel. Ethanol noticeable on tongue, in nostrils, and on back of throat. Finishes semi-dry, with lingering ethanol burn on throat.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2012 23:40:48 | More by falloutsnow

Radome

Spain

3.68/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served from 375 ml bottle into goblet.
A - Straw colored; slightly murky with some suspended sediment (could be my fault for not allowing to settle after transport). Fragile but tall head fades to thin layer of large bubbles and some lace.
S - Very clean. Crisp grain and surprisingly strong, fresh noble hops notes; black pepper, some faint fruitiness in the background like Juicy Fruit gum. No alcohol notes.
T - A big punch of noble hops flavor is up front, mixing with Pilsner-like grains. This is followed briefly by an almost metallic bitterness that fades away back to the grains and Juicy Fruit flavors. Some alcohol notes.
M - Medium body, creamy carbonation. Slight alcohol burn.
O - A good beer, but for me, the extra hops flavor and bitterness are a distraction rather than an enhancement for this strong saison. The metallic tang is too disruptive to me.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2012 21:33:43 | More by Radome

yamar68

Minnesota

4.03/5  rDev -4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2008 vintage, poured to snifter:

Pours a glowing orange gold with a somewhat dense white cap that stays thick and milky for the remainder of the hour.

Spicy alcohol, sweet grain, apple cider and citrus, exceedingly sweet, still a ton of depth to this beer.

Warm fruit notes, bitter alcohol, far from bland, spicy clove and pool water, still an exciting saison after 4 years.

Drinkable given that it's a 10% saison. Interesting, what a treat.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2012 23:58:18 | More by yamar68

Agold

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Got this bottle in a BIF. Excited to crack it open. Looks nice. About an inch and a half of fluffy white head with ok retention. A few spots of lacing stay on the glass, but not too much. The body is golden and hazy. Aroma is nice. Fruity, floral, a bit spicy, and candied citrus peel without the sweet. Flavor is grassy, floral, citrusy, and spicy. Mouthfeel is right on. Light, med-high carb, dry, very nice. I had no problem drinking the whole 750 by myself, was very easy drinking and very enjoyable, but not really remarkable.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2012 01:12:54 | More by Agold

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

3.58/5  rDev -14.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

From BeerAdvocate magazine Issue #60 (Jan 2012):

LOOK: Pale murky straw

SMELL: Dried grass, passionfruit, peppery, papaya, nutty, yeast, mango, eucalyptus, lemon zest, alcohol

TASTE: Smooth, creamy, bitter herb, yeast, dried tropical fruit, vegetal, green peppercorns, lemon pith, boozy alcohol, medicinal, faint broth, bitter, dry finish

A special Saison brewed for the holidays, and perhaps for the winter, as it touts a hefty punch. Not sure if the extra alcohol does it much justice though. Clearly it’s a decent sip, but more of a sharing and pairing offering, as it seems bit lost on its own.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2012 17:46:58 | More by BeerAdvocate

ehammond1

California

4.38/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On Tap

Pizza Port
Carlsbad, CA

Clear golden with a thin white head though it has good and persistent retention. Spotted lacing down the glass.

Sweet lemon, spicy yeast, a touch of funk, some hay and it all comes together very well.

A perfect and memorable combination of enjoyable flavors. A bit spicy, a bit funky, a bit sweet, even some bitterness, all incredibly drinkable, finishes perfectly clean; I could literally drink this all day!

Airy yet satisfying, it's bubbly, yet creamy; incredible!

Near perfect Belgian saison.

Serving type: on-tap

05-29-2012 21:55:12 | More by ehammond1

bluejacket74

Ohio

4.05/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

750 ml caged and corked bottle, 2011 printed on the cork. Served in a Unibroue tulip, the beer pours a cloudy gold color with a couple inch frothy off-white head. Head retention is excellent, and there's a decent amount of lacing. Aroma is fruity and yeasty, it smells like apricots, lemon peel, hay, peppery spice and some banana. Taste is similar to the aroma, the brew tastes like hay, peppery spice, lemon and orange peel, pears, earth and some bready malt. There's more bitterness in this brew than I was expecting. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's a bit slick and creamy, and is very well carbonated. The 9.5% ABV isn't very noticeable at all. I liked this brew, I'd recommend this one to others. $11.49 a bottle.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2012 21:48:06 | More by bluejacket74

SMKida

Georgia

4.15/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I enjoyed this liquid magic in a snifter, poured from a growler. It was a gorgeous honey gold color with substantial cloudiness from the yeast. Lacing on the glass was minimal, but still present.

This beer smells like dried apricots for the most part, although that’s accompanied by the faint banana scent characteristic of Belgian yeast. It makes me want a tangy cheese… pass the feta, anyone?

For a high-octane brew (the abv is a whopping 9.5 percent) the mouth feel is still very clean and light. There’s also a pronounced tingle with each sip, but I think it’s due more to the beer’s spiciness than its effervescence.

Apricot fruitiness stays prominent in the taste, but it’s accompanied by the biting spiciness I noted in the mouth feel. Coriander is one of the detectable spices. After the spicy fruit blast, the saison finishes with a dry, lemon tartness. The lingering taste is herbal and dry.

This beer would pair fantastically with curry or Mediterranean food— namely lamb and tzatziki sauce. In terms of seasons, this brew would be satiating year-round. The spiciness makes it compelling in cooler months, but it’s so light and refreshing that I’d gladly bring it out to the pool with me.

Serving type: growler

05-22-2012 19:10:41 | More by SMKida

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4.05/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

excellent saison, pours hazy pale yellow, very very airy light white head a 3 inches high and lasting. looks like a nice big cloud floating there. smells yeasty, sweet, and strong. notes of spice and preserved lemons are present, hints of brown sugar as well. flavor is very light, maybe a touch of honey sweetness, floral hop and yeast profile. feel is fantastic, incredibly light in the mouth for a beer thats 9.5%. major carbonation, but its little tiny bubbles, great feeling. medium bodied. great buzz from this guy, dangerously easy drinking. overall a really solid saison, if a little light on the spicy notes. yum yum

edit: just had a 2007 vintage of this, and its changed a lot. lots of the sugars have seemed to congeal, making it thicker and sweeter, while the carbonation is tamed a little as well, and that airy lightness is gone. the alcohol is also tamer too, never would guess its as strong as it is. I think age has done some good things for this beer, but I have to confess to enjoying the fresh version a bit more.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2012 21:39:17 | More by StonedTrippin

stercomm

Ohio

3.28/5  rDev -21.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bomber into a regular glass.

A - Hazy straw, lots of bubbles, huge, frothy white head, hangs around for ever.

S - Bubblegum, straw, spice, funkiness

T - Grassy, spicy,some pepper, yeasty, good Belgium funk.

M - Lots of carbonation, medium bodied.

O - Not bad, a little heavier then I was expecting

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2012 18:57:24 | More by stercomm

jar2574

Missouri

2.55/5  rDev -39.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Huge pale white bubbly head over cloudy yellow-brown highly carbonated beer. The smell is astringent, metallic, not pleasant.

Taste isn't that great either. Earthy malts but metallic flavors too. Mouthfeel is a bit bubbly but isn't that exciting. This beer isn't that enjoyable, especially given the excellent style it comes from.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2012 20:08:34 | More by jar2574

schwaeh

Ohio

4.3/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle with 2011 on the cork. It's good that I pointed this away from my face while opening, as the cork slammed my ceiling. I then did a little slamming with Fleshgod Apocalypse while I partook in the festivities.

A: I poured very slowly but the foam still amassed very quickly and made up a good %80 of my glass. The carbonation is nuts in this stuff. Very light golden-yellow color with thousands of bubbles spritzing about. I kinda like the whole vanilla ice cream look of this massive head.

S: Clearly one of the more wild smelling saisons I've smelled, nice bright funk emanates. Wet hay, cheese, and peppery yeast all come through strongly. Lots of earthy goodness in this beer. I'm really not sensing that high abv here, hopefully it stays that way.

T: More concentrated with flavor than many(most) of the saisons I've had. The alcohol makes this a bigger beer than most of it's brethren, and I really enjoy having it more potent. The main aspects are dryness and earthiness. Grassy hops are used here and really combine with the almost skunking flavors to round out the yeast, pepper/spice, and light funkiness.

M: Its a big bodied saison. Not quite as easy drinking as most but it still fits well in the category. Dry all the way through with the carbonation seeming moderate to low in the mouth.

O: Whoa this is a big boy. Avec les Bons Voux really stands out in this style being more bold while staying 'mostly' true to form. Highly recommended... once in a while : )

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2012 21:24:21 | More by schwaeh

StaveHooks

Oklahoma

4.03/5  rDev -4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml bottle served in a Triple Karmeliet tulip glass.

A - Pours a cloudy orange with an impressive white head that shows excellent retention.

S - Pilsner malt, lemon, wet hay, spice, coriander, apple, peach, bubblegum, taffy, alcohol, tart grassy hops.

T - Follows the nose, spicy yeast, coriander, apricot, peach, apples, bubblegum, taffy, lemon cuts through the sweet stone fruit, a very mild grassy tartness plays on the back of the throat, pilsner malt keeps the base. Finishes spicy.

M - Medium body, moderate carbonation, fruity semi-dry finish.

Big pilsner malt base, with loads of fruity yeast esters. Hops are grassy and mild, finishes peppery and semi-dry. Very good overall. Pretty high ABV for the style but drinks good.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2012 00:44:32 | More by StaveHooks

evilkalla

Alabama

4.63/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Serving: 750ml bottle into my Arrogant Bastard Ale glass.

A: Pours cloudy pale yellow with a full inch and a half of thick head. Lots of carbonation visible. Very, very nice.

S: Big on the Belgian yeast smell, bready, with fruity and spicy notes.

T: Dry at first, then peppery and spicy. Somewhat earthy and bitter on the finish. Fantastic Saison.

M: Very smooth in the mouth with bits of pepperiness and fizzy bite. Awesome.

O: Fantastic Saison, I'd have to put it near the top of my list. I would buy this again.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2012 01:36:41 | More by evilkalla

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4.35/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a cloudy golden tangerine in color with some light visible carbonation at the edges of the glass near the surface. The beer pours with a finger tall light beige head that reduces by about 25% but remains covering the entirety of the surface of the beer. Significant lacing is observed.

S: Lots of aromas of the yeast for this beer - lots of spicy presence that is really delicious smelling. There is an underlying funkiness and slight hints of wood.

T: The flavor is not too intense but is very enjoyable with some good funkiness, tons of spiciness from the yeast, and some dry wood in the finish. What a great flavor to this beer.

M: Light to medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Very dry.

O: This beer has no presence of alcohol and is extremely enjoyable - I love a good saison and this beer does not disappoint. Very easy to drink and definitely one I would like to get again. I could drink this beer all day long and find it to be very refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2012 02:56:29 | More by dbrauneis

metter98

New York

4.18/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: The beer is slightly hazy golden yellow in color and has a slight amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a massive three finger high bright white head that has excellent retention properties and consistently left a thin head covering the surface.
S: There are moderately strong aromas of yeast and spices in the nose.
T: The taste is quite earthy and has flavors of grassy hops and spicy yeast—the spices particularly stand out in the finish. There are some slight hints of alcohol.
M: It feels a bit shy of medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate to high amount of carbonation. There is a moderate to high amount of dryness in the finish.
O: Considering its strength among other beers in the style, this beer isn’t that difficult to drink because the alcohol is well masked from the taste. It is a nice saison to drink on a cold winter night.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2012 02:37:24 | More by metter98

danedelman

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A-hazy orange/straw color with 2 finger head. perfect carb for this one.

S-orange pepper and a bit of funk with some lemon rind. Very peppery. Citrusy.

T-Get hit with the orange peel first with the pepper than turns almost into a booziness (moonshine)flavor and finishes clean with a slight tart peppery flavor. very well done.

M-very light body with perfect carbonation for this style.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2012 00:33:57 | More by danedelman

dirtylou

Washington

4.38/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle, bottleworks, split

appearance: served in my ale asylum chalice - flawless - hazy blonde-orange body, fluffy white cap you can cut with a knife

smell: fresh, zesty yeast, citrus hops, white pepper

taste: fresh and lively - yeasty, white pepper, peach and citrus, lemon rind, really nice stuff

mouthfeel: great saison - perfect carbonation

overall: really impressive - A+ value

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2012 03:09:58 | More by dirtylou

srandycarter

California

4.33/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Murky light apricot with LOADS of stark white head. Slow to leave and TONS of lace everywhere. Nice looking.

S - Straw, some barn sharpness. Detect the malt hidden in there. All very light. Maybe too cold.

T - I like it. The malt comes in very sweet and approachable. Just as you are sensing this, the bitter and sour attributes kick in and its a whole different deal. It finishes with a pleasant light sweetness of malt.

M - Medium body, great carb. Balance is pretty good as described in Taste. I like the creamy aspect too.

D - I quite enjoy this one. I will seek it out again.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2012 03:40:33 | More by srandycarter

Cylinsier

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

75

Pours a slightly hazy lemon gold, three plus inch sugar white head retains well.

Smells of coriander, lemon zest, esters and wheaty grassy malts.

Tastes slightly bitter, like lemon rind, along with zest and citrus tartness. Fresh cut grass and wheaty malts. Mildest banana ester hint.

Moderate body, fluffy carbonation fills the mouth.

A delicious and unique farmhouse, this is the first of the style I've had with such a distinct vegetable bitterness. I don't dislike it, although I'm not sure I prefer it, but it certainly doesn't ruin the beer in any way. Totally enjoyable experience, would definitely have again, although maybe not before some other saisons.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2012 02:26:26 | More by Cylinsier

DavoleBomb

Ohio

3.35/5  rDev -20.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into a tulip. There’s a lot of carbonation in this one. I needed several pours to get a full glass.

4.0 A: Lightly hazed golden wheat color. Three fingers of frothy/foamy white head. Retention is good and a lot of the foam sticks to the glass.

4.5 S: Smells a good bit like autumn. Lots of barnyard funk, rich with pollen, hay, and livestock. Underneath there is pepper, clove, and corriander spiciness. A garden of flowers in this while being moderately herbal. Very complex and well integrated.

3.0 T: The taste is good, but not nearly as impressive as the nose. Surprisingly strong oregano-like bitterness. Not nearly as flowery as the nose, but about as herbal. Corriander still stands out, but less pepper and clove. Hay is back as is quite strong. Dry even for a saison. Bitterness lingers into the aftertaste.

3.0 M: Lighter body. Carbonation is a bit too abundant. Mildly creamy.

3.0 D: If this tasted like the nose, I would certainly be impressed. It’s still a good beer, but it isn’t the standout I was expecting.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2012 21:14:09 | More by DavoleBomb

Mantooth

North Carolina

4.2/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Draft pour @ Milltown in Carrboro, NC (highly recommended), into a Dupont Saison glass.

A: Hazy gold with a deep white head and lazy lacing.

S: Lemons, yeast, pepper and a little vanilla.

T: Lemon peel, citrus rind, lots of earthiness and some spice.

M: Slick, very carbonated, warmth from the alcohol.

O: A very nice beer I'm happy to have happened upon.

Serving type: on-tap

02-12-2012 17:28:00 | More by Mantooth

ludachris

Ontario (Canada)

4.4/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Its shiny gold body is brilliantly clear. Lots and lots of carbonation keep the nearly three fingers of fluffy, rich white head afloat. The head retention is very impressive with its high ABV. One word to describe the appearance; refreshing.

Lemon peel, white pepper, wet grass and chalky, damp yeast spell out a classic Saison aroma. Soft notes of vanilla are on the underlay as well as unripe Anjou pear. The alcohol is subtle and comes across as what I think of as wet sugar paste.

A spicy earthiness laced with lemon peel quickly asserts itself on the palate. The alcohol is quite pleasant, rolling off the sides of the tongue in a sugary sweet form. As the beer warms, the alcohol becomes more concentrated at the center of the tongue, losing a bit of its sweetness. Vanilla and clemintine peel are far from the forefront but add a very pleasant sweetness and complexity to this spicy and earthy Saison.

The body is medium and rich with the lively carbonation accentuating the spiciness. The alcohol only serves to compliment the sweetness of the beer. Its slightly creamy feel makes this a treat to drink.

I find with nearly every Saison I have, it takes a good chunk of time to fully appreciate its complexities. And from the nose to the feel that's what I had to do and it's well worth it. The highlights for me were the underlying notes of vanilla and sweet clemintine peel and the creamy and rich body. A near perfect traditional Saison.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2012 02:25:31 | More by ludachris

wesbrownyeah

Florida

4.1/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Avec Les Bons Voeux by Brasserie Dupont 9.5% alcohol Saison/Farmhouse style. 750ml bottle poured into pint glass.

A- Pours a crisp hazed golden fluid with a nice one inch pillowy head that leaves decent sticky lacing on the glass.

S- Sharp lemon zest hits the nose upfront with slight notes of alcohol and yeast.

T-M- The taste is a smooth and sweet lemongrass flavor with a mix of musky yeast and malts noted. Herbal spice is felt in the backbone. Mouthfeel is slick and highly carbonated making it easy to put down the 9.5% alcohol content.

Overall this is a good showing of the style and is very drinkable dispite the heavy alcohol content... Cheers~!

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2012 05:44:15 | More by wesbrownyeah

eduardolinhalis

Switzerland

4.33/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

375ml bottle poured in a Duvel tulip.

A: Pours a cloudy orange to beige color. A big bubbled and aired head is formed when it's poured. Retention is medium to low and only some lacings are left

S: Nose is sweet, fruity and spicy. Reminds pears mainly. Also honey and candy sugar. Some hints of orange zeast, grassy hops and alcohol

T: The best part. Very tasty beer. Quite fruity, spicy and hoppy. Malts and Belgian yeasts (oh yeah!). A mild sweet upfront with a dry and bitter aftertaste. Pepper and the citrus-earthy hops are really a must

M: Medium to heavy body. Reasonable carbonation. Sweet ufront followed by a grass hoppy aftertaste. Hints of alcohol can be felt but well hidden

O: Very drinkable despite the 9.5%ABV. Absolutely great beer

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2012 15:30:39 | More by eduardolinhalis