Saison Dupont - Brasserie Dupont sprl

Mubbly

California

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

750ml poured into 2 Chimay glasses. (Split with my wife.)

This is my second go at this beer; my first was skunked and uncharacteristic.

Cloudy toasted yellow pour with a quick rising cloudy head - dense bubbles stay put for a long time. Lotsa lacing. Beautiful.

I can't get too much out of the smell, but I found: muted citrus, lemon, dirt/earth, and peppery-ness.

The taste was awesome; there is first an earthiness followed by a muted tart apple sweetness. It finishes with a blend of pepper, hops, and a bit of earth. The flavors would work well with grilled chicken & pasta.

Pleasant mouthfeel. Feels good and smooth over the tongue, but finishes dry. Great carbonation.

This would be a great beer to have on a hot day. It has a lightness to it that is very refreshing. Goes down easy.

I really enjoyed this one. My first try was extremely dull; I'm relieved that I received a good bottle.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2010 19:15:35 | More by Mubbly

Cold

Pennsylvania

4.8/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A: Pours a pale straw/gold, with a lively, generous pearl-white head. Haze is apparent and uniform, though solid suspended particles are not visible. Numerous bubble trails rise through the drink.

S: Citric, funky, yeasty, slightly acrid, woody, peaty...

T: Tart apples and dry light wood on the front end, with yeasty dry light bread eventually replacing those flavors. Peat and other similar earthy, musty notes crisply finish each taste.

M: Very intense, robust carbonation really dominates the mouthfeel here. As this rush of bubbles dissipates, however, it's a (very pleasant) surprise to note that it lies over a velvety smooth, yet light body that really wouldn't need such an intense carbonation, though it masks the 6.5% ABV brilliantly. Finish is ever-so-slightly dry, though not astringent. Very drinkable/sessionable,

A: Aftertaste is very clean, though its cleanliness is more a product of the flavors on the palate, not an absence thereof. Those flavors include a slightly fruity tartness, crisp, woody earthiness, and a slight belgian funk. The finish is dry, but not terribly astringent, and the dryness increases over time.

Overall: Anyone who knows the saison style knows this beer. In my opinion it is the saison against which all others are measured, and while that does not necessarily mean it is better than the rest, in the vast majority of cases, this is true. Complex, but not busy; balanced but not boring...it's a nearly perfect example of a well-crafted beer, and a world-class example of a quintessential saison. This is the beer to introduce to a friend who doesn't like saisons because they're too sweet/fruity/etc.

It doesn't happen often...but...

5/5

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 03:13:51 | More by Cold

rchristensen

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

750 ml bottle poured into a sniffer

A - Pours a cloudy yellow with an enormous 4 finger head. The head lingers and leaves moderate lacing.

S - Yeasty aromas dominate to start. Also able to pick up some fruity notes, citrus, as well as a faint hint of grain.

T - As was with the smell, the yeast flavors come to the front followed by mild citrus and a peppery spiceyness. The finish is quite dry, almost a champagne like quality.

M - Very crisp with good carbonation.

O - I find this beer to be very refreshing and a good example of the style. I am not sure I would search this out while looking for a Saison but it was certainly a good beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2011 23:50:53 | More by rchristensen

HagueBrook

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev -4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- A very nice golden color, but a bit darker below the head. Nice thick head which took a few minutes to melt down with good lacing along the glass.

S- Not much of anything besides some grassy smell. A little wheat.

T- A bit of pepper as noted by others. Definitely a dry finish.

M- Smooth and easy on the palate.

D- Very drinkable. This would be great on a summer night. The lower ABV makes it more drinkable than other Belgian brews.

Serving type: bottle

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2011 23:19:49 | More by HagueBrook

levon15

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A straw colored hazy yellow, a bit cloudy. Thick white head that never dissipates past a quarter finger head that clings to the glass in sheets that slide slowly back into the beer

The smell is a grassy funk, not the farm but definitely out in the country, a pastural lemon scent. The smell pours out of the bottle after the cork is pulled and fills the room, literally.

A good astringent citrus. I get a hint of spicyness. The alcohol is not there, it could pass for a juice.

The mouth is a sticky wet bit oh happiness, the carbonation is high and it takes a bit away for me.

Overall the taste left me wanting more. The smell set the stage for something spectacular and it just wasn't all there, it was very good but I smelled something great. my beagle came trotting out of the other room looking for where the smell was coming from. I could open this and just smell it . I'll be buying some more and let it set for a while.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2012 01:11:03 | More by levon15

Monicagm

California

3.43/5  rDev -18.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Cloudy yellow color. High carbonation with a thick head that recedes back into the glass. Lacing sticks to the sides.

Orange/citrus scent.

Has a tangy/orange tart taste with a clean finish. Dry, not particularly bitter.

Light mouthfeel.

Overall, enjoyable but not one of my top choices in beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2012 19:26:41 | More by Monicagm

delmet

California

4.65/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

This is one of my favorite beers. It has low alcohol content for a belgian beer (%6.5), but about average for this type. So, one can enjoy it for a while without getting smashed.

a- cloudy blond with a good head, the way it looks tells you something good is brewin' in your future

b- ah! The smell. This is the thing that really jumps at you. If you pour a glass and not notice the smell, either the beer is bad, or you are lacking the protrusion that should be in the middle of your face. It smells really delicious. Spicy, fruity, citruslike. Sooo good.

t- Well, something that smells so good, cannot taste that bad. And this baby tastes very good indeed. Peppery, fruity, malty, very very goody.

m- it feels nice and crisp, like something you would want to put in your mouth as often as you possibly could.

d- well, if I could afford it I would never stop drinking it, but then I would become 500 pound in a few months. So I guess it is a good thing this thing is 10 bucks a bottle.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2008 22:55:47 | More by delmet

jekemp

Georgia

4.03/5  rDev -4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

The Saison Dupont was a small splurge on my part when I picked it up after work last night, It came in a 750 ml bottle that was corked. The cork was removed with great ease (bouncing off the ceiling..) and upon pouring the bee into a glass, I discovered a beautiful unfiltered yellow amber ale with a very light head of foam. The aroma was a menagery of botanicals and hops with hints of citrus. Overall the taste was a little on the dry side but I found this beer to be an absolute treat. I think would love to drink one of these chilled on a hot summer day.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2005 17:49:33 | More by jekemp

pinkwheels

Georgia

4.47/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this on draft at Ormsby's in Atlanta GA. I've had it plenty of times in the bottle as well. It pours with nice hazy yellow golden color with a good amout of head. It has nice a nice crisp flavor with a touch of floral and fruitness and with a bit funky sour yeasty flavor (but it's very balanced). Overall it's very dry and crisp and delicious.

Serving type: on-tap

07-25-2010 19:47:27 | More by pinkwheels

inpursuitofhops

Kentucky

4.5/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: A darker golden tint with a quarter inch white foam. Spotty lacing down the .3L Glass.

S: Very yeasty, sweet, and a hint of fresh figs.

T: The traditional belgian yeast hits the tongue and takes over initially, but a hoppier, more complex taste soon engulfs the palate. A dry aftertaste follows.

M: Well-carbonated, nice foam-to-beer ratio in each drink.

D: Will leave you buzzing if you have a couple, but very nice to sip often.

I loved this and will be back to Good Foods Market in Lexington, KY for more.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2011 17:32:32 | More by inpursuitofhops

PRpitmaster

Puerto Rico

4.88/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

pours a nice golden honey color, with a great head. smells of honey and spice, also hints of orange peel.
an explotion of fruity, and spicy herbal notes coat your palate, the carbonation refreshes and leaves a nice mouthfeel.
overall a great beer, too bad I don't have regular access to it, I wish I could drink it more often. Definately one that I will search for again and enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2011 16:42:17 | More by PRpitmaster

mikemoore8711

Illinois

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

Appearance: Light golden color, with a very big head.
Aroma: Light crisp aroma, with hints of citrus.
Flavor: Crisp citrus taste with a hint of spices and a somewhat tart finish.
Feel: Medium-light bodied, highly carbonated.
Overall: This beer starts with a very good crisp aroma. The first mouthful feels very “fizzy,fuzzy”. Although light bodied, the high carbonation renders the sensation of feeling full.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2011 23:14:06 | More by mikemoore8711

jfclark

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

Pour from 12 oz bottle.

A: nice golden color, clear appearance. Light head that lasts. Some yeast particles.

S: definitely fruity smell

T: refreshing taste - light but plenty of favor.

M: mediumish mouthfeel.

Overall, an enjoyable beer, will have again.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2012 21:56:50 | More by jfclark

RugbyBeerRepeat

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

One of my local bars serves this by the 374 ml bottle for nine bucks. This makes me love the beer. The beer pours with a medium to large head. Although thick, the head does not last as long as you would think. The color is a cloudy and pale tan. The taste is rich—hints of nut, not bitter but not smooth. If you let it sit in your mouth it will feel lighter as it warms. Overall, Saison Dupont is a fine beer to sip or drink.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2005 03:34:55 | More by RugbyBeerRepeat

SaucyJack

New York

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

On tap at the Moan & Dove. I've loved Saison Dupont for years in the bottle and was thrilled to see it on the chalkboard at the pub. I wasn't disappointed, though I'd probably score the bottled version a bit higher.

The beer poured a little cloudy, in an enticing kind of way. It had that earthy, barnyard aroma that I expected, but it tasted just a bit sweeter than I remembered from the bottle. The hops were present but to the extent of the bottled version. There was a slight hint of oxidation, but overall, this is one of the best draft beers you're likely to find in this country. A definite winner, but better, I think, in the bottle.

Serving type: on-tap

01-08-2005 17:13:25 | More by SaucyJack

Jcarrane

Minnesota

3.9/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer pours a crisp, pale, golden color,two finger foamy head that seemed to dissipate quickly.Bitter, lemon,citrus, bouquet, slightly dank. Very approachable on the palate dry, crisp, and clean, with a light body and a pleasant finish, very refreshing! Crisp grassy notes,lemon citrus, and hops, seem to jump out at first, then settles into a nice mineral finish. I'd love to have this beer with some crab cakes on a summer night sitting on the patio.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2010 23:00:25 | More by Jcarrane

Estranged

New Jersey

3.93/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

my .02 cents on arguably belgium's leading saison style...

a: semi-opaque, cloudy straw color. very fine carbonation, and a fluffy bright, white head.

s: lemon and corriander pop into the nose.

t: tartness, and lip-puckering lemon are noted, and a disappointingly mellow bitter/citrusy hop finish is barely present.

mf: softs and smooth. a sharp, bubbly finsh like champagne.

d: sweet and delicious, like lemonade on a hot day. but there is only so much acidity one can take- sessionably, but not all day long.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2010 01:20:51 | More by Estranged

chuck19

Maine

3.75/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I have been told that Saison Dupont is the beer that you must judge every other Saison by. I would have to agree. The first thought when I opened was this beer was "Did I just open a dime bag"(Friend's comment). Again agreed. The beer is cloudy and had an average appearance. To be honest it looks like any cloudy wheat beer. The taste was what set this apart. Hints of lemon, but the rind part. Overall a solid beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2011 01:46:42 | More by chuck19

diverite

Connecticut

1.73/5  rDev -58.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 2

First let me start by saying this beer was a huge disappointment. Purchased in a 750ml style corked green bottle. I was a bit leery about the bottle color and from the pop of the cork, all I could smell was skunk. It was all downhill from there and after sharing a glass with my wife, I drained the remainder if the bottle. I will NEVER buy this again.

Appearance was a very nice, dark yellow with shades of green and chunks of sediment with strong carbonation and cloudy, puffy white head...I love this style.

smell was pure skunk, stronger skunk than Heinekin.

Taste was mostly skunk with malt trying to come through, but not making it.

mouthfeel was full with a dry finish.

Overall this beer was horribly skunked and I have a feeling it has seen too much light in its short life (bottled 2/2011). The skunk has overpowered many of the qualities that are hiding underneath. I can't see spending $10 plus for a bottle of defective beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2012 12:08:28 | More by diverite

mccann51

New York

1.73/5  rDev -58.8%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5

A: light, straw color with a large white head.

S: grassy, skunky aroma.

T: same grassy-skunkiness, but also a bit of astringency; some spice and herbal flavor along with some distinct maltiness.

M: fairly full bodied while having the potential for being refreshing.

O: if somebody didn't tell me what this was, I would figure it a typical, low-level European lager. There is nothing special about this beer to me, and I pick up nothing from the Brett I've heard about in this beer (except maybe the head). Really a huge disappointment, and definitely not worth the 12$ for the 750ml.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2012 03:28:36 | More by mccann51

bubtronic

Washington

4/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750 mL bottle, 2011.

A: Hazy yellow with a vague orange tinge. Occasional suspended yeast particles. Tall, light, persistent head.

S: Yeasty, grass, some black pepper and a hint of lemon.

T: Mildly sour, on the dry side. More present lemon and pepper flavors than the aroma, but still with the yeastiness. Some sweet fruitiness, maybe grape juice flavor.
 
M: High carbonation, light on the tongue. Dry.

O: Very drinkable, perfect for the hot summer day I bought it on. The sour dryness, light fruit and high carbonation definitely make it easily quaffable. I've had a little mixed success with this beer before, some bottles being better than others, but overall it is a unique and enjoyable exemplar of the style.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2011 08:41:54 | More by bubtronic

maddyaliotti

California

3.23/5  rDev -23.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Very citrusy orangy aroma. Cloudy yellowish color. Cloudiness is from the yeast. Very strong head and good hold on the glass. Crisp and clean finish very fizzy and highly carbonated. Very light and refreshing. Good beer for a hot summer day. Tastes somewhat bitter but do not consider it bitter because it just has no sweetness to it.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2012 20:34:08 | More by maddyaliotti

kiwanomelon

Pennsylvania

4.7/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Initial impression: picture-perfect Belgian. Appearance was a cloudy yellow-gold. No head, no lacing, but that was probably due to the pour.

Smell was hard to define--brassy, earthy (but not grassy), and spicy. Tasted almost like a pilsner on the first sip (malt upfront, hops in the back), spicy, hoppy, and sharp. Evaporated off the tongue quickly, leaving a refreshing and bitter aftertaste.

Excellent beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-25-2010 00:29:22 | More by kiwanomelon

campbellj21

Illinois

4.68/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from bottle into a Belgian Tulip

A: Golden/Yellow Opaque with a 2 inch thick head that reduces to a nice cap that stays with the beer and leaves a little lacing.

S: Spicy/Grassy with a little clove coming through. Very pleasant aroma, great to just take in a huge breath before every drink.

T: Spicy at the start finishing with a little fruitiness and leaveing just a slightly bitter aftertaste.

M: Mild body with good carb, goes down well.

D: Excellent beer to have on a nice mild sunny day. A little high ABV to be considered session, but if you have nothing to do, I could see drinking a good number of these. Excellent Saison.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2009 02:13:57 | More by campbellj21

BeachBrewerDude

Florida

4.75/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This is one of the best beers to pair with cheeses, especially the stinky, blue-veined cheeses. Creamy soft cheeses, like camembert or brie work very well also. Don't limit yourself to cheese though. This beer is awesome with a huge variety of foods! From vinegar-based BBQs to... well... just about anything you love to eat! This is a very versatile beer when eating.

This beer has a very rustic characteristic to the overall taste and mouthfeel, and even displays a pronounced funk that is typical of an authentic farmhouse ale. It's a dry beer and carries a mouthfeel which reminds me of Champagne. Citrus with peel, floral, grass, a little vanilla, wheat, and a slight hint of stone gravel which keeps it dry. It's a very drinkable and refreshing ale during the summer months.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2010 16:11:52 | More by BeachBrewerDude