Saison Dupont - Brasserie Dupont sprl

beerthulhu

New Jersey

4.22/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured a cloudy straw-gold with a soft pillowy white head that was pesistant leaving a nice light film lacing.

S: very fruity, with spicy citrus, sour oranges, lemons and a nice tart musky scent. The initial flavor was much the same with some spiciness, sour oranges, lemons. There was some sour fruitiness and a tangy spicing as well. The beer finished with dry and tart with some lemon grinds and a light floral hopping.

M: fizzy, champagne like, and dry. Fairly crisp, tart, lemony and refreshing.

D: a great drink for the summer time. Easy to consume and like.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2008 13:34:38 | More by beerthulhu

DrJay

Massachusetts

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

Cloudy golden honey colour with a gigantic, fluffy white head. Lots of lacing. Lemony citrus aroma, a bit earthy, light spice, floral, mild yeastiness. Fruity (apple/pear) and earthy, slightly tart, hint of malt flavour and a bit spicy. Long, dry, bitter finish with some fruit carrying through. Light body, light astringency, generous, crisp carbonation, slightly creamy and slick mouthfeel. There's a lot going on here, but it stays quite refreshing and enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2005 21:29:31 | More by DrJay

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

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

I had a corked & caged bottle a few nights ago at a bar, but I felt compelled to revisit this beer for a formal review.

From the bottle: "Brewed at one of Europe's last farmhouse breweries, in Hainaut province, Saison Dupont is a 4 star, world classic example of of the Belgian Saison style. This increasingly rare specialty originated before the age of refrigeration as a beer to be brewed in winter for summer drinking. The style required a beer sturdy enough to age in the bottle but refreshing enough to be enjoyed in warm weather. Saison Dupont fits this description perfectly, it has a big, fruity bouquet, and dense head. The taste starts fruity but ends dry and very clean with a light, refreshing finish."

I used a gentle pour as per the brewery who I e-mailed for directions. They like the lees to remain in the bottle as long as possible, if not infinitely. My motto since childhood has been "Waste not, want not" and so I usually reserve that last pout for yours truly. I poured into a champagne flute from the Seabee Ball in 1998 and damned if it did not look like champagne. It was a golden-yellow color under a puffy head of bone-white head that slowly fell, leaving a touch of lacing in its wake. The effervescence was unending and I just gazed at its beauty, enthralled. The nose was fruity in a berry field sort of way with an underlying mustiness of newspapers stored in the attic. Mouthfeel was thin-to medium and the flavor was initially vinous, giving way to a dusty, musty tartness. Holy spit in the ocean, Batman! This was deelish and I could totally see it as the champagne toast at my never-to-be wedding since no one will ever have me as more than an amusing lover. Finish was bone-dry and I think that this might act as a nice panty peeler. I must try it out on some femmes in the near future ...

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2011 00:07:42 | More by woodychandler

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

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

275ml bottle, Best Before 2008 and enjoyed July 2007 on a beautiful, saison filled afternoon at Volo.

Clear bodied but with many tiny yeast particles that stay perfectly suspended, in the same way stars dot a galaxy. No head minus a thin outline that would thicken every time I swirl and reach towards the center but never quite make it, then quickly recede back. Not far from the colour of apple juice, but really more of an apricot tone.

A yeasty aroma with cider-like notes of dried apple, fresh pear, and a hint of marmalade. A very musty character with faint notes of wheat. I believe both the must and fruit component is found in the yeast.

With a little age under it the mouthfeel has flattened out significantly, leading it to drink closer to the 6.5% it is. A little grainy on the finish. Very soft on the palate with the flavours lightly gracing the tongue.

It packs a fair bit of flavour for a style that is expected to be light. It taste a little like a cider, but I would not say in any way "fruity". The taste is dominated by a pungent blend of - not so much 'fruit' - but fruit rinds. Specifically: Apple -- skins. Orange -- rinds. Grapefruit -- peel. The wheat and yeast get easily confused as both are quite noticeable in the flavour. Spices? Yea, I think so, maybe...

I have trouble agreeing with those who hail this as one of the best examples of the Saison style. It is a fair (and somewhat excellent) representation but after trying it a few times now I would not boast it as a leading example. The style, to me, is one that encourages a little departure from the norm. Whether it's fair or not, I do in a small way hold against it, that the Saison Dupont really does little to transgress from (albeit a good one) a simple Belgian ale.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2007 18:04:25 | More by biegaman

Brad007

Vermont

3/5  rDev -28.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

No chalice so have to use a trusty pint glass.

Beer pours a pale, grainy color with a decent amount of head that leaves thick lacing. I decided to let the beer warm up before trying it. Aroma is rich and spicy with faint hints of raisin. Taste is very light at first with only the spice and raisin showing through. Goes down smooth. A second sip confirms the smoothness and maltiness. I feel that the beer isn't as strong as I hoped and it just seems unimpressive to me. Not bad but I'll definitely revisit down the road.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2007 00:01:26 | More by Brad007

stakem

Pennsylvania

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

Review from notes taken 3/24/10

On tap at Al's served in a classy little saison dupont glass. Pours a hazy golden color with a finger of white head. A solid curtain of lace clings all over the glass. Nose is citrus and spices akin to clove. Taste is on par with the aroma: citrus, clove and yeast primarily. Finishes slightly dry with a bit of hop bitterness. Light feel and modestly carbonated, it is quite drinkable. As it warms, a bit of pear or light fruit blended with grain comes through and is left in the mouth.

Serving type: on-tap

04-28-2010 19:18:00 | More by stakem

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

3.05/5  rDev -27.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Openned Oct. 4, 2005. Best before 01/2008.

A: Copper-gold, nice white head, but very little retention. Still makes some nice lace though!

S: Grassy, herbal.

T: Spicy yeast flavour, very dry, sharp bitterness. Tartness is only barely detectable. Very rustic & unrefined. I realize this is part of the style, but it just wasn't harmonious... it's like all the instruments were there, but they were playing off-key.

M: Light body, moderately high carbonation.

D: While it hides the alcohol well, there's a bit of a bite, and I don't find it all that pleasant.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2005 21:48:02 | More by Derek

Georgiabeer

Georgia

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

Pours a hazy golden wih a clean white head and goood lacing. Lots of sediment. The smells are of lemon, brie cheese, and light barnyard. The taste is complex, with more of the same that are in the aroma, but a lingering bitterness that doesn't seem to come from hops, maybe a slght minerality as well. More farmhouse and brie flavors here, and while there is a touch of tartness, its pretty slight and is not at all the predominant flavor. A crisp, subtle beer with complex flavors that are restrained enough for it to be a real quencher. Very nice as always.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2007 16:45:56 | More by Georgiabeer

Dogbrick

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Sampled at From The Vine beer tasting Jul 9th, 2004: The beer is a cloudy gold color with a medium thick and fluffy white head. The green bottle may be to blame for the skunkyness that enveloped the sweet fruit and yeast in the aroma. Light-bodied and very carbonated, with an earthy mix of tart fruit and sweet spice flavors. However, the flavor falls off very quickly for some reason. The finish is lightly sweet and has a touch of pepper. Overall this beer is decent with only a couple shortcomings, but I think the green bottle and travel did it some harm. At any rate I thought the now-defunct Quarryman version was a lot better.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2004 04:36:08 | More by Dogbrick

tavernjef

Minnesota

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

Conglomerate of murky gel-like haze of light golden yellow with a tall suspended dense white head of firmly settling froth, slowly dwindles down to a thick puffy haze that remains present, lacing in inkblot sheets. Smell is subdued and mellow with light fruity citrus peels and quite floral in its sweetness with an overall dry wood character adding a nice earthyness with dried grassy and musty yeast notes. Taste is a nice meld of complexing little bits of sharp wheat tones that playfully dart around the palate leaving trails of spices, grasses, dulled citrus peels, musty yeast, wood and earthy tones that leaves a real interesting dryness thats milding smooth and long with its own complexities lending nice frothy wheat malts and some mild hop bittering tones. Nice finish, very calm, smooth, lengthy, and subtle with drying tones. Nice airy carbonation upfront that builds quickly to a nice little grab and fullness midway, and finishes dry remaining smooth and kinda tingly/spritzy the whole way through. The drinkability is nice, just a nudge of to much carbonation for me but still a winner in my book.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2003 00:49:55 | More by tavernjef

mactrail

California

4.13/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A pleasant sweetness is the first taste, followed by the Belgian rasp. Rather bitter aftertaste. Light body but nice carbonation on the tongue. Thirst-quenching and intriguing flavor, but nothing too wild. A thinner, sharper style of Saison. Hoppy bitterness gives a nice edge. Textbook Saison of the Belgian style.

Serving type: on-tap

08-25-2011 04:59:20 | More by mactrail

Cyberkedi

Georgia

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

Crisp aroma is rich and fruity, more like a cider than a beer. It pours out a cloudy golden with a thick, off-white head. Flavor is fruity and crisp with hints of malt and just a trace of hops. Texture is lively, jazzy and jagged - it fairly dances on the tongue and on its way down the pipes.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2008 01:45:51 | More by Cyberkedi

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

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

The beer appears mostly clear and orange hued. Rapid effervescence is teeming from the base of the goblet, reminiscent of an ocean storm. The head is gargantuan, appearing pure white and resembling a cumulus cloud perched atop the nectar. 

The aroma offers hops, grass, lemons, lemon zest, yeast.

Nice flavor. Well balanced, with yeast and grass flavors leading the way. Citrus and mild hops add depth. A touch of coriander in there as well. The beer finishes with a moderate bitterness. Just a bit funky, but not that much.

Light to medium bodied and pretty easy to drink. Smooth on the palate with a balance of yeast and hop components.

A good saison, and one I would have again.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2012 22:46:00 | More by Huhzubendah

ccrida

Oregon

4.53/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml (cork dated 20007) poured into my big Gulden Draak tulip, Saison Dupont is a slightly hazy bronzed gold, with massive, dense off-white head that is painfully slow to recede, leaving rocky chunks of foam.

Smell is dry earth, sharp minerals and sour citrus, wheat providing a pithy zest. Classic.

Taste is also world class, this is the definitive Saison. Sharp and tart and full, yet finishing bone dry.

Mouthfeel is very creamy yet dry, with a lighter body, very nice. The mouthfeel is a million times better (as is this beer in general) from bottles rather then on draught.

Drinkability is very good, this is one of my favorites, a world classic. Paired tonight with grilled spring chinook, oysters and asparagus - perfect! Still, I generally prefer the fruitier saisons then the pepper of Dupont.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2008 04:49:46 | More by ccrida

RoyalT

Ohio

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

Appearance – This Saison is a thing of beauty. The head rose up nicely on an easy pour, showed great retention, and even left some lacing as I drank it down. It was white as the driven snow. The body itself was that thick, slightly orange yellow that I’ve come to know and love.

Smell – This has some of the farm funk to it, but it’s really quite balanced. There’s a nice, easy yeast that soothes the nostrils. The spicing is actually more like a Tripel.

Taste – Ah, yes, quite the delicacy. The farmhouse character comes out a bit more at the taste, but it’s still balanced with yeast. The spices are powdery and very strong, again much like a Tripel or BSPA. The white pepper is prominent here.

Mouthfeel – This Saison is medium-bodied and very fluffy in the cheeks due to the wonderful carbonation. There’s a slight bit of drying at the end but it is super smooth.

Drinkability – Some Saisons can be tough to session, but this one is very smooth and went down quite well. It was one of the more drinkable examples of the style that I’ve had.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2005 02:13:04 | More by RoyalT

largadeer

California

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

Appearance - Straw-colored, hazy and full of sediment. Pours with several inches of thick foam that show no signs of fading.

Smell - The mild nose reveals grass and hay-like aromas mixed with notes of lemon and grapefruit.

Taste - Estery with flavors of banana and pineapple. Light acidity with a subtle spiciness. Notes of citrus come out more as the beer sits in the mouth. Extremely dry in the finish, with a lemon peel-like bitterness that remains on the palate for several minutes.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2008 01:29:42 | More by largadeer

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a light hazy pale yellow color with a big white head. In the aroma, lemon zest and yeasty. In the taste, dry yeastiness and lemon zest, with a sweeter barnyard like earthiness. A smooth and light bodied mouthfeel, with a semi dry lemon yeastiness to a clean aftertaste. Clean and refreshing, nice blend of citrus and earth.

Serving type: on-tap

08-07-2010 15:01:08 | More by OWSLEY069

avalon07

South Carolina

4.08/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: When poured from a bottle to a tulip glass, had a amber-yellow color and a cloudy consistency. Also some sediment floating around. Had a decent-sized head as well.

S: Typically (among saisons) funky barnyard smell, along with fruit, spices, malt. May have been slightly skunked (why would a high end brewery stoop to using green bottles?!).

T: Had the flavor of apples, coriander, malt, a bit of citrus. Well done and balanced.

M: Very vibrant level of carbonation, along with a smooth finish. Full-bodied, but not overwhelming.

D: Overall, this is a drinkable beer. Saisons are a quirky style and Dupont has done well with this one.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2008 13:09:25 | More by avalon07

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

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

Saison Dupont "Vielle Provision" says the bottle, and the cork proclaims "2009" edition.

Appearance: Light yellow in color with a large soapy head that stays around the whole time. The head on this beer is remarkable and deserves recognition. A slew of little bubbles rising through the beer. At first the beer was fairly clear but later I swirled some yeast in and the beer became cloudy.

Smell: Yeasty aroma with some hay/barnyard elements.

Taste: Once again, quite yeasty and minerally. A flash of sweetness, followed by a noble hop bitterness, imparted by saaz/tettnang hops though I am not sure which is used. The finish is very clean and the balance of this beer is well done. Funky fresh...

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a smooth finish, clean with some dusty yeast lingering.

Drinkability: A pleasant saison that is definately foreign to my taste buds. Pretty much spot on for the style. If I had more of this beer, I'd be happier.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2010 18:13:58 | More by Stinkypuss

TheLongBeachBum

California

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

Presentation: The last beer of the night, sampled during the BA Social held at Lucky Baldwin’s in Pasadena on Saturday 12th October, 2003.

This was purchased in an 11.2 fl.oz bottle, a size which I have never seen before, but it had the instantly recognizable black, yellow and white checkered label.

Appearance: A marvelous blonde-gold color, with some hints of light amber when held to the light. Not so much cloudy, as just having a ‘milky haze’. Streamers populate the goblet, and disappear into the underside of the off-white large frothy head.

Nose: Light sweetness that wraps a rich yeasty farmyard odor. Massive fruity aspect in the ending. Very Dupont.

Taste: Wow. Once tasted – never forgotten, but it is always such a pleasure to drink this one again and be reminded. Light blonde beer beginnings, some pilsner like malts are immediately bombarded with lemon rind, spicy hops, pepper and a sweet-tartness. Bitter and dry in the finish.

Mouthfeel: Spritzy, lively, carbonated mouthfeel. Has a (surprisingly for 6.5%) warming alcohol feel at times. Lovely.

Drinkability: I will hold up my hand, and say that I think Saison’s are amongst some of the most enjoyable and quaffable of the styles available in Belgium. Excellent thirst quenching qualities – with a massive bold flavor profile, both classic Saison qualities – and this is no exception to the rule.

Overall: Dupont produce a classic Saison. It has it all, a farm brewery, with a history that goes back at least 150 years. But more importantly, for me at least, it has a very authentic yeast strain/mix that really adds depth and complexity. Excellent.

If you are not sure what a “classic” Saison is, or want a definition?
Visit the Dupont Website - and watch the 12 minute film.

Or, Think Saison – Drink Dupont. Then you’ll know for sure!

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2003 22:05:03 | More by TheLongBeachBum

ZAP

Minnesota

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

Apricot clored....hazy....fizzy, frothy 1/2 inch egg white head...nose is musty but sweet....tight carbonation...fizzy almost, but creamy at the same time...body is medium light...taste is earthy...sweet fruity notes at first but very dry on the finish...Should have saved this for Thanksgiving...it would have paired nicely with the meal...

Very enjoyable...justt kind of hard to describe the flavor and aroma...tfour words...musty...earthy...fruity..enjoyable..

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2004 05:46:57 | More by ZAP

jrallen34

Illinois

2.5/5  rDev -40.5%
look: 1.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

I had a 750 ml and poured into a chalice.

It pours nice, gold in color witha a decent white head.

The aroma is let down to me, smells to me like a stale beer, a little sour.

The taste is very bland as well.

I would not drink this beer again, don't quite get the overall impression here.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2009 19:25:28 | More by jrallen34

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

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

I had this corked/caged bottle at Cafe Bruges in Carlisle, PA. Poured chilled into a willybecker.

A - A hazy light gold like lemon juice w a neverending frothy whipped cap w/ very large bubbles

S - the smell of lemons and floral hops w/ spice esters from the yeast and citrus zest

M - Spicy and medium bodied w/ low carbonation and gentle sweetness. The texture is light w/ a citrus tang

T - A mild apple/lemon zest flavor w/ plenty of yeast in the taste w/ pepper and light herbal accents. The flavor has a mild tropical note w/ hint of lemony pineapple and leafy spiced hops. The taste of a mild golden pear is noted in the finish

D - A very traditional example - A classic of the style. It has high drinkability even though it might not be my first choice in saisons it is very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2009 19:04:34 | More by Slatetank

dirtylou

Washington

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

on tap at hopleaf in chicago, served with some muscles and frites

appearance: served in a nice tulip-goblet, full-bright golden peach body, white cascading caps with moderate retention

smell: funky, peachy, fruity, white pepper

taste: one of the flagships of the style for sure...the funk is under control and matched with highly potent peach/apricot fruity sweetness and a kicking white pepper spice...very well hopped with an emphasis on dry citrus

mouthfeel: active carbonation, bubbly and lively - sacrifices just a smidget of drinkability

drinkability: strong

Serving type: on-tap

07-23-2008 04:42:36 | More by dirtylou

cokes

Wisconsin

4.6/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

2002 edition.
Murky golden hued with an explosive (off) white crown with plastic properties and duration. Huge and slow to fade.
Nose gives off more funk than Bootsy Collins. A whole lotta farm (hay, grass, must etc) and slight animal whafts. Lightly citric with subdued lemon-lime aroma, and a slight nod of cannabinoids.
Taste begins with a tempered peach fruitiness. This is less a featured flavor than a sacrificial lamb, as it is crushed under the fruity/spicy onslaught that occurs next. The flavors all materialize at once. I am confused and scared. Quivering, here goes:
Lime sourness is coupled with doughy yeast component. This is as stable as it gets. Lemon and pineapple fruity hues appear along with a hefty amount of juicy sour green apples. Spices enter, guns blazing. Rosemary, thyme, and cracked black pepper. They are all major players.
Ends quite dry with saltine cracker notes. Hops are big. Perhaps saaz and some sort of english variety (likely goldings). Drying. Leave the towel at home. Parched, bitter finish.
More please.
A solid medium bodied within the mouth. Carbonation is high without being obnoxious.
Effortlessly drinkable. Literally one of the most consumable brews I've encountered. Saison fans rejoice.
A great experiment on the limbic system (responsible for emotion and motivation within the brain). When does it shut down? Let me know...and enjoy the trials.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2002 23:43:16 | More by cokes