Saison Dupont - Brasserie Dupont sprl

TheBrewo

Michigan

4.33/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer was poured from the bottle at Tap and Mallet in Rochester, NY. It arrived in a Saison Dupont flared mini pint, and glowed a pale golden color. The head was a glorious two fingers tall, made of tiny creamy bubbles. Retention was insane, eventually leaving impenetrable sheets of lacing all around the glass. Carbonation appeared high, and big chunks of sediment and haze were delivered from the last half of the bottle. The aroma sported a big whiff of warm musk, steely, and grassy malts. All the flavors mixed for a nicely crisp nose, with faint hops on the back, of the floral variety. Dried fig, raspberry, warm buttery toast, and light apple sweetness round out the back. Our first impression was that this was light and airy, but it packed the flavor. As we sip, crisp and clean toasted pale malts, wheatgrass, and light lemon freshness hit the palate. A bright yeasty metallic bite brought us to the peak of the sip, which shows a bitter lemon and orange rind. Malts continue palely, with a bit of wheat, and light muddled booze for a nice balance. More lemon bite, cellar musk, barnyard grass, and toasty pales come in for the finish. Again, the balance is there, but a bit dirty, with a final lick of light tin, and wonderful Belgian yeast. The body is light to medium, and the carbonation is very high, stinging the tongue. There is dryness to the mouth, but it is not quite astringent. An even woody dryness and a pillowy softness hit the tongue, with great slurp due to that perpetual head. The abv is appropriate, and the beer drinks easily, but you want to take your time.

Overall, what we enjoyed most about this brew was the light crispness and the full flavoring to the taste. This is an exemplary Saison, with very fresh and clean malts, perfectly balancing the booze, with bitterness ultimately predominating. Throughout all aspects the beer fits the style, without becoming overwhelming at any point.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 22:53:44 | More by TheBrewo

SLeffler27

New York

4.23/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A fluffy, two-inch, white head lives long over a chill-hazed, golden straw beer, leaving lots of webbed lacing on a Saison Dupont pint glass.

Has a funky aroma, perhaps more barnyard, with pepper, coriander and clove. Floral notes come out as it warms.

Slightly sweet, followed by a touch of bitterness, mostly found in the finish. The flavors range from subtle to pronounced, and develop with each sip, unfolding new character. Overall, earthy.

Dry with a medium body and dry carbonation.

This is a true casual beer at its best. Dupont has the subtlety expected from this style and can easily be enjoyed with friends and good times.

Also had draught version one day earlier, which was more flavorful with deeper character. The best version of this beer is clearly via draught with the bottled version is a distant third place.

Serving type: growler

04-29-2012 21:17:23 | More by SLeffler27

Nay

Pennsylvania

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

Long lasting head. Hazy. Pilsner malty, bitter, peppery, touch of clove, phenolic aroma and some flavor. Tasty, but slight brett flavors lean toward pepper/sandpaper rather than refreshing slightly sourness. Full bodied, yet pretty dry for this alcohol level. Dangerously drinkable, but I'm a bit disappointed after seeing scores well above 90.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 01:54:44 | More by Nay

scninmer08

New York

4.78/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle poured into tulip.

Straw yellow with beautiful off-white three-finger head.

When I pulled the cork out, immediately I was hit with major skunkiness. Once I poured it into my tulip, the smell rounded out into an interesting blend of skunk and the normal funky yeast smell.

Taste begins with fruity, citrus notes accompanied by the funky backdrop throughout. The malt kicks in near the end, which was beautiful.

Creamy mouthfeel, great blend of carbonation and smoothness.

Overall, a wonderful saison, and the one that most likely comes closest to the ideal in terms of style. Definitely one I would enjoy again throughout the summer.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2012 12:20:20 | More by scninmer08

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

mptorpey

Delaware

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

A:Light straw yellow wit a small white head that clings to the glass.

S: Some floral notes with a bit of grass and honey.

T: A very colplex beer with lots of spice and floral parts. Finish is long and a bit sweet.

M: Full bodied

O: A very complex beer that every sip can impart different tastes as it warms. Finish is long and has a bit of grasseness to it. Great spring time beer

Serving type: on-tap

04-20-2012 04:46:59 | More by mptorpey

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

chodinheaven

Maryland

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

Cloudy straw yellow in color with a huge and pillowy white head on top that dissapates at a slow to medium pace. Nearly opaque in its cloudiness. The smell is interesting with a farmhousey aroma dominating, a bit skunky even. Underneath those aromas however are bright citrusy and grassy notes. Very aromatic, and the skunkiness isn't unpleasant. Its definitely got that farmhouse vibe that saisons are so well known for.

The taste is bright and lively, with lots of bright spices and complexities. The brightness comes from the lemony citrus, both sweet and a bit tart up front and in the middle. The liveliness comes from the earthy, grassy spices and high, palate cleansing natural carbonation. The spices are actually pretty simple in that it isn't incredibly in your face, but it leads to an overall complexity that is addicting, yet very easy to drink and enjoy. The yeast seems to add a very subtle Belgian funk that is more evident in the aroma than in the taste, but it is definitely there. It mingles with the citrusy hops, blending into a nice semi-bitter finish that doesn't overwhelm with funk. It is refreshingly light in the mouthfeel despite all that is going on with it, and the high carbonation makes for a very dry and palate cleansing finish. Slight aftertaste of skunkweed, but again not at all enough to go against the overall taste of this beer.

Really great saison, definitely recommended as as an easy drinking summer beer to refresh, but that also has a complex edge to it. Definitely try it if you are new to saisons as this will make you want to try more.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2012 03:49:24 | More by chodinheaven

sleuthdog

Illinois

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

Poured into tulip

A: An easy pour yields a huge beautiful four finger head of fluffy whiteness. Simply awesome. Color is straw yellow and right on par for the style. Really nice bubbles quickly rising up to the top of the glass.

S: First impressions are of banana, yeasty bread with some spice notes. There is also the funky skunk typical of the style.

T: Belgian yeast with bread taste. There is also the fruitiness of apple and pear present. Some lemmon and spice on the finish. Alcohol is almost non existent.

M: Light creamy goodness on this one. I'm really enjoying the mouthfeel as it is dry on the finish.

O: This is a very enjoyable Saison. I would recommend this to anyone who likes this style.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2012 01:06:53 | More by sleuthdog

output01x

Ohio

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

Poured from a 375 mL. corked and caged bottle (No Date) into a tulip glass.

A slow pour yields a fluffy 3-finger cream-colored head that slowly fades after a good few minutes to a thick, clumpy coating and thick collar. The body is cloudy golden apricot with tiny specks of sediment constantly tumbling about through the streams of tiny carbonation bubbles. Great lacing can be seen between sips but little manages to stick.

Skunk and funk come together harmoniously. Aromas of green apple and sour grapes are accompanied by grainy, bready malts. An oily lemon acts as an overtone, rounding out the nose.

Funk strikes the palate at the beginning of each sip and is quickly joined by sweet and tart flavors of sour grapes and green apples. Then, a grainy malt flavor comes through with notes of crackers and fresh bread. As the beer is swallowed, pungeant green fruit flavors come out and a barnyard funk soon follows. This slowly transforms into a dry floral bitterness.

The light to medium body allows a good amount of flavor to come through while remaining refreshing. The carbonation fizzes up quite a bit when the beer is held in the mouth and gets rather foamy in the swallow.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2012 03:18:09 | More by output01x

jtingue

New York

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

Poured into a tulip glass.

Appearance. Golden straw in color, crystal clear. Pours with a huge head which fills 3/4 of the glass. The head dissipates slowly by breaking into largeer chunks of foam and leaving a thick lacing on the side of the glass. Quite a beautiful thing to watch happen. Tons of effervescent bubbles rise from the bottom of the glass. Very champagne like.

Smell. Very fruity up front, with ripe grape and cherry. A clean and abrupt sour smell permiates the nostrils for a bit. Some bready malt lies in the background.

Taste. Starts out with a sweet flavor of just ripe fruit, again with grape and cherry. Just a hint of bitterness is added to a very crisp beer. Some very reserved funkiness is present throughout, but is mostly taken over by a fruity and floral backbone. Also in the background is a bready malt backbone which serves as the baseline for all of the other flavors. The finish is semi-dry, with some of the sweetness that is present throughout lingering.

Mouthfeel. Not as champagne like as I would have expected. The carbonation is more creamy than effervescent, which I actually enjoy more.

A truly complex and enjoyable beer. Straddles the border between sipper and clean easy drinker. Just a hint of something wild in the yeast department brings me coming back for sip after sip.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2012 00:55:07 | More by jtingue

MoreThanWine

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Very nice. Poured a massive 3" white velvet head with extremely long life and big merengue floaters. The body is a hazy raw sienna yellow color with a faint glow. It smells mildly of grass and grain. Taste is delightful with citrus, grapefruit, grass, grain, and a slow to reveal but long burn from a hops finish. There's a refreshing mouthfeel kind of like Perrier. A class act of a beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2012 08:48:34 | More by MoreThanWine

JTSbeerislife

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a rather narrow style tulip but unmarked and slightly larger that those horrible “very tall and narrow” style tulips now in vogue across the known universe as far as I can tell.

Pours a rather thin head which reduces to a very thin film rapidly.
Beautiful golden grain kind of color, with a constant stream of fine bubble carbonation.

Very powerful, yeasty, distinct, French bread aroma hits you first, followed by golden malt. Very elegant and refined nose. Excellent.

Nice crisp entry on the palate of delicious, yeast dominated malt, and then as this ale warms the yeast backs off a little to allow the malt to come forward. Then the surprise! Superbly integrated hops (Belgium style) come into play. Medium full mouth feel and superb Champagne like carbonation finish it off. Delicious!

Long finish of yeast/malt/hops, with the yeast and hops dominating and lingering.

An excellent Saison. Very Champagne like in mouth feel and even some flavor components!
Lots of yeast action throughout especially the smell.
Big nose. A very enjoyable experience.

Serving type: on-tap

03-12-2012 01:09:53 | More by JTSbeerislife

mooseo

Pennsylvania

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

12.7oz bottle poured into tulip glass.

A - Pale light gold in color, clear, with extremely high carbonation. Huge frothy head with good retention.

S - Clean crisp floral hops with some peppery spice notes. A hint of light malt, yeast, and grass.

T - Floral and grassy hops with some citrus, pepper, and Belgian yeast flavor. Rather complex. Not much malt present. Has a clean hoppy finish with a lingering grassy aftertaste.

M - Light body with high carbonation. Very prickly on the tongue. Dry finish.

O - The best Saison I've had. Everything about this beer was enjoyable. It's highly drinkable, refreshing, and tasty. I look forward to pairing this with some salmon.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2012 00:16:39 | More by mooseo

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 hazy straw yellow in color with moderate amounts of visible carbonation. The beer starts with a two finger tall soapy white head that reduces by about 75% over time but there is always some head retention. Significant lacing is observed.

S: Grassy/hay like smells with some spices and lemon. The yeast is very detectable but there is a certain complexity to it. Slight hints of funk in the aroma but nothing overpowering.

T: Floral and light fruit flavors (pear + apple) along with lemon and funk in the finish. Lots of earthy/grassy flavors as well and some subtle hints of spices/pepper.

M: Light bodied with moderate to high amounts of carbonation. Dry on the finish.

O: One of my favorite saisons and truly a classic example of the style. Great flavor, smell, and mouthfeel. This is a beer that I have over and over and never tire of... I think I will have to go replenish my supply soon. Easy to drink and very sessionable. Pairs great with meals.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2012 21:50:12 | More by dbrauneis

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

4.43/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured on-tap and served in a stemmed vase, the beer is a hazy, opaque, yellow-gold coloring with a thick, foamy, small bubbled, bright white head about a half an inch thick. Aromas are yeasty, with hints of clove and floral highlights. Very light and spicy on the nose. Flavors are very spiced, with a solid clove profile along a citrus and bready blended foundation. Some lavendar and juniper highlights throughout...this beer is well balanced and extremely complex at the same time. Very good challenge to the palate. The aftertaste is clove spiced and toasty, and the light body leaves a sparse lacing on the glass. The finish is slightly lingering, but light and spicy. Good brew.

Serving type: on-tap

03-09-2012 18:23:26 | More by GarthDanielson

Fcip78

Pennsylvania

4.95/5  rDev +17.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Saison Dupont is standard of the style and a classic. All beer people should taste this at least once.

It pours a nice light yellow with a perfect white head (laces nicely in a glass). PLenty of big citrusy dry notes in the nose, then you take that first sip - Wow! Super yeasty, crisp and dry flavor and a nice finish. A world-class super-beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2012 02:40:52 | More by Fcip78

Goblinmunkey7

Massachusetts

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

Thanks to angrybabboon for splitting the bottle.

Appearance: Huge off-white head. Massive even. Color is a light gold/copper. Very cloudy, almost ruddy. Nicely carbonated.

Smell: Pears, mellow hay, and a slight funk. Something akin to lemon zest as well. Earthy and floral. Very delicate. Yeasty. Surprisingly mellow, but complex enough to keep things interesting.

Taste: Yeast and earth. Delicate floral notes and a mealy pear-like flavor. Hints of lemon and funk on the back, but it's very clean. Herbal and floral in good measure. Powdery malts and a gritty yeast character.

Mouthfeel: Light with a solid, yet not intense, carbonation. Nice and dry on the finish.

Overall: Very easy drinking. Some minor funk and a delicate hand make this extremely approachable. It hits all the right characteristics for the style. Incredibly clean and light.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2012 20:44:15 | More by Goblinmunkey7

caryt

Oregon

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

Served at the Green Dragon (Portland, OR) in a Russian River tulip

A: Caramel opaque with a large fluffy white head the size of both of my thumbs.

S: Smells of delicious Belgian yeast with a very slight sweet fruit aroma

T: Smooth and yet very smooth, not an overbearing carbonation. This brew was blessed with a magnificent yeast

M: Light, slightly sweet and delicious.

O: First go at this Saison and very pleased. I went from a boozy saison to this refreshing goodness. Would suggest to anyone and will have again.

Serving type: on-tap

03-07-2012 06:37:27 | More by caryt

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

3.95/5  rDev -6%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Take Away bottle from the Station Hotel in Footscray. From notes.

A - Poured hazy light golden. Good carbonation. Nice two finger soapy head with no retention and a spot of lace.

S - Sweet and spicy with grass, lemon, and citrus. Hops and funk with Belgian yeast. When mixed with the hops the flavours are very interesting.

T - Sweet spice, citrus, hay. The spice is a little strong for my tastes but mixes well with the citrus/hay/hop notes.

M - Super dry in the finish with strong carbonation and a medium body.

O/D - With less spice it'd be quite a solid saison. Good though and very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2012 02:09:10 | More by tbeckett

tjkinate

Texas

3.73/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Been drinking a lot of Saisons lately.

A: Massive, soapy, bright white head tops this dull yellow brew. Bubbles continuously rise assisting in the heads strong retention and thick ample lacing.

S: Fair amount of spice, honey, floral notes, but very little funk. I like my Saisons funky.

T: Similar to the smell, quite bold in the flavor department. Like the smell indicated, very little funk.

M: Extremely high carbonated medium bodied brew.

O: I enjoyed the brew, but don't think I will buy again soon. Missed the funk too much!

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2012 17:46:20 | More by tjkinate

onewetpaw

Tennessee

5/5  rDev +19%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured into a tulip.

The archetype of the style. Beautiful beer! Funky flavors and aroma are present along with some spice flavors. Subdued phenols are present, but nothing over the top.

A- Funky nose when you pop the top on this one. Smells like old leather and funky Brett. Mild spicy smells from the yeast.

A- Beautiful light to medium golden color. Thick white head that lasts for a long time.

F- Funky flavors come out immediately. Gentle phenolic flavors and mild spicy flavors. The malt takes a backseat on this one.

M- High carbonation. light without being thin. Crisp and cleansing on the palate.

O- Love it. The classic saison and for a reason. Easy to put away, but complex enough to make you think about the flavors.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2012 01:40:48 | More by onewetpaw

gustogasmic

Michigan

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

Pours a amber-straw with insanely animated, quick carbonation-- tiny bubbles. Yeast can be seen bouncing off the chamagney bubble-columns. Awesome 2" fluffy head forms, white with the slightest pinkness. Luscious. Lacing is medium-low and clumpy, unlike the alcohol/ sugar twirls and lines of a high-ABV sipper. This nice head persists and stays above 1/4" in size for the entire drink.

Smells like "farmhouse character"... straw and grass, with sweet light fruits- apple and pear, particularly, with a slight hoppy grapefruit quality.

Taste is the same, very nuanced, subtle, and yeast-forward with a funky and barely bitter leave. The mouthfeel is perfect for this-- pillowy, lightweight, bubbly as hell but soft: completely devoid of the soda pop or champagne carbonation "bite," despite a comparable amount of bubbles. Big sips come very nicely through the head.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2012 05:03:38 | More by gustogasmic

BilbosNuts

California

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

Poured into a pint glass.

A: Pours a cloudy light golden yellow with some particulates floating around. A big rocky, pearl white head has good retention and leaves some scattered lacing. It appears very lively with a moderate amount of carbonation.

S: Belgian yeast and belgian sugars are very prominent. A grassy, earthy, and some light fruits (apples and pears) round out the aroma.

T: The taste is similar to the aroma with the grassy and earthy attributes making a bigger appearance. The same fruit of apples and pears are present as is the belgian yeast.

M: This has a very refreshing feel to it. It is medium bodied with a perfect amount of carbonation. It has a crisp finish, leaving the palate cleansed.

O: This is one of my favorite saisons I have yet to try. It is very refreshing, has a great aroma and taste. Very solid all around.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2012 00:22:22 | More by BilbosNuts

BeerCentralWA

Washington

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

A- dark yellow with great head and yeast cloudiness
S- sweet and grassy notes with crisp tartness
M- light effervescent and slightly dry.
T- Grassy, floral and light. Some yeast mellows out tartness. Slightly funky
O- Tasty and mellow saison. Balanced and complex, great introductory saison. Not too sour or funky. Slight farmhouse flavors and earthy taste.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2012 02:40:04 | More by BeerCentralWA