Saison Dupont - Brasserie Dupont sprl

NuclearDolphin

Minnesota

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

Poured into a Pint Glass. Cork on this says 2.010, hopefully it doesn't mean the year 2010

Appearance - Cloudy Dark Yellow and with just a tiny bit of sediment. Like Ommegang Saison, this has a very tall voluminous head that clocks in around 5 fingers in width. The big difference here is that the head retention is quite shorter and more soapy, whereas Ommegang has a fluffy head and very good head retention. However, it does have quite a bit of lacing along the sides

Smell - Lemon Zest, Grassiness, Yeasts/Biscuits, Barley, and Malts. This is a very earthy smelling Saison, so earthy in fact that it reminds me of a Pilsener.

Taste - Sweet Yeasts, Bready/Biscuits, Lemons, Floral Hops, Barley and Malts. Smells like a Pilsener but tastes like a Saison, this was a pleasant surprise. Flavors blend together fairly well and give it a nice smoothness, though I was expecting more of a malty kick. Aftertaste is mildly grassy with some yeasty notes.

Mouthfeel - This one has a light body and virtually no carbonation. Feels light yet refreshing, which is impressive considering it's ABV.

Overall - Trying a Belgian Saison for the first time and I'm impressed with it. Aside from the fact it lacked a strong malty backbone, I have to say it was really good. I say it's definitely worth checking out if you're into Saisons and looking for something just a bit different.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2012 03:31:23 | More by NuclearDolphin

Guden

Maryland

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

On Tap at Pakhuis in Ghent, Belgium

A- Hazy golden with a white head of tiny bubbles that lasts and lasts leaving good lacing.

S- Crackers, decaying wood, pears and a touch of melon rind. Really nice, makes me think of summer.

T- Up front a sweet cracker sensation is quickly balanced with spice (white pepper, cardamom) and hops. Finish is peppery with lemon and a bit more of the honey dew melon character.

M- Thin and dry with medium carbonation. Perfect for the style and allows the flavors to dance around nicely.

D- An excellent beer. On tap it is delicious and was a welcome finish to my first day in Belgium.

Serving type: on-tap

10-09-2012 01:11:40 | More by Guden

WankelEngine

Illinois

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

Poured from an 11.2oz bottle into a pint glass

A: Pours a hazy, golden-straw color with a lovely, large white head that slowly bubbles and craters away. Light, spotty lacing.

S: The first thing that I detect is a good dose of farmhouse funk. Followed quickly by some lemon-tart and a grassy aroma. A little bit of pilsner malt in the background.

T: Clove, phenols and banana. The funk flavor is not overwhelming but definitely potent. Wet hay and wool. Not very tart at all. Incredibly dry finish; leaves my mouth feeling like I just sipped a dry white wine. Yeast and phenols flavor the finish.

M: Dry and medium-thin. Moderate, small, champagne-like carbonation.

O: A fantastic saison. Not too tart, but very funky. Easily one of the driest beers I've ever had. Love it

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2012 23:11:42 | More by WankelEngine

Theheroguy

Maryland

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

This beer pours a thick white and foamy head, careful pouring is a must. Immediately one is greeted with an inviting fruity aroma, mostly citrus but others lurk amongst them. The appearance is a medium golden color similar to some wheat beers. I would describe the taste as first bready, then slightly sweet, followed by citrus sour. Very delicious and very refreshing I would drink this after a hard day of labor. The mouth feel is very similar to champagne nice and smooth with a sharpness upon swallowing.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2012 02:30:16 | More by Theheroguy

Danny1217

Florida

4.58/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Hazy yellow with a huge, fluffy white head.
Smells strongly of Belgian yeast, lemon zest, some funk, and some earthy floral scents.
Earthy, dry, mildly tart, slightly sweet fruity esters from the yeast. Some lemon zest, coriander, and black pepper taste. Refreshing, yet a somewhat full body. Smooth drinking.

The saison by which other saisons are measured. Very good.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2012 21:15:05 | More by Danny1217

MagicJeff

Georgia

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

750 ml bomber into a Sam Adams glass

Appearance: Pale wheat colored. Tad murky. Nice head and carbonation.

Smell: Boozy wine with slight pear. Some bread too.

Taste: Fruity yet finishes dry. As many have pointed out, similar to champagne or a dry wine. Some raisin? Very drinkable.

Mouthfeel: Light. Could drink a ton of these. Love the crispness.

Overall: Great introduction to this style. Really like how refreshing it tastes on a hot late September GA day. Reasonably priced too. Would love to revisit.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2012 00:09:00 | More by MagicJeff

TullyBlanchard

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

Attention to the Rock and Roll Express: Double-A (Arn Anderson) and I are officially calling you out, brothers. Time and place is three weeks in Chattanooga, TN. Starrcade baby....and we are keepin' these belts.

The beer:
A pale golden color with a good white head. Smells sort of like a wheat beer. Very refreshing saison. A hint of citrus, clean finish. Something about the aftertaste reminds me of drinking champagne. Could have a lot of these.

80s/90s wrestler most likely to drink this beer:
The Model, Rick Martel.

Diamonds are forever.

Serving type: on-tap

09-27-2012 01:40:53 | More by TullyBlanchard

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.8/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked one of these up last winter, sat on it until summer. Something about summer makes saisons and berlinners so much better during that season. A chunky, cloudy yellow beer with a big lush white head with a variety of big and small bubbles throughout it. Aroma was a flower garden with a hefty belgian saison yeast dosing. You get a little of everything from the yeast, mild clove, miniscule banana, tiny citrus lemon, flowers, etc. . .

Taste, thin body, a lot of the aromas aren't really there, which is not a bad thing. High carbonation. Solid but not over the top hop bitterness, a soft pepper wave glides over the tongue. The beer is amongst the most dry I've ever had. A little bit of wet hay machine gun funk. Just the right amount of tartness throughout, not sour, but tart. Stupid coriander is a distraction. Grassy.

Overall, this is a classic saison that probably everyone should try at least once if they are at all remotely adventurous beyond the standard AAL & hoppy ales.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2012 00:03:39 | More by Beerandraiderfan

deadonhisfeet

Kentucky

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

Poured from a bottle into a New Belgium snifter. The beer pours out a hazy orange-yellow with an absolutely massive head, excellent retention, and dynamite lacing. Truly a fantastic looking beer. The nose is quite complex. There are big musty notes, tart notes of lemon and orange, some floral notes, and some pepper.

The beer has a light body and firm mouthfeel. There is not much maltiness. This is all about sweet, tart, and hoppy. The flavor is nearly perfectly balanced between sweet fruit and sour fruit before everything dries up and the taste takes on notes of lemon and pepper. The finish is herbal and dry, like a pilsner.

This is a classic Saison, and it's easy to see why. I don't think I would suggest this to newbies. The herbal, hoppy nature might not appeal to an inexperienced palate. Fans of the style should love it. It's expensive, but sooner or later every BA must try this. You won't regret it.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2012 22:56:31 | More by deadonhisfeet

Immortale25

Florida

4.48/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a Saint Somewhere wine style glass. No freshness date.

A- And she's a gusher! Pours a cloudy straw-like color with a towering two finger fizzy head that retains a good while before dropping to a 1/4 inch head. Fluffy, yet non-sticky, lacing.

S- Lemony and tart smelling, with a good deal of yeast aroma and a hint of oxidation.

T- Strong and funky with plenty of lactic acid producing a pronounced tartness. Tropical fruit notes abound including pineapple, lemon, grapefruit, and kumquat. Faint notes of leather and barnyard.

M- Much of the enjoyment comes from the mouthfeel since the sharp and dry feel plays off of the tightness of the high carbonation yet has a light body to balance.

O- The quintessential farmhouse ale. If you want to find out whether or not you like saisons, try this first.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2012 02:12:47 | More by Immortale25

macrosmatic

Florida

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

Reviewed from notes. Poured from bomber into a TBBC pint glass.

A: Brilliant clear gold, tons of visible carbonation, and a beautiful, thick, foamy white head that lasts the entire drink. Very nice.

S: Pilsner malts, funky grassy, citrusy, yeasts.

T: Follows the nose with more barnyard grassiness, lemon, very light malt, and fruity yeast esters. Clean dry finish, and minimal hang - just a bit grassy in the aftertaste.

M: Lots of carbonation sensation, and no alcohol presence. Light mouthfeel, but fine for style.

O: This is an excellent base saison. Nothing crazy or fancy but seriously very well done. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 22:27:31 | More by macrosmatic

magictacosinus

California

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

Nothing like a 750ml bottle of Belgian beer to make a lovely, festive "pop" upon being cracked open. Poured into a Duvel tulip glass.

Produces a golden amber color almost reminiscent of champagne with an enormous head, yet the second, yeastier pour was cloudier, far more carbonated (and we're talking about tons of carbonation razing the glass), as well as floaties everywhere near the bottom. Carbonation seemed to last forever, no matter how much this warmed up. Truly fantastic.

The smell is all over the place, but as expected from a farmhouse ale, this is extremely phenolic, sourish, and definitely tarty. There's aromas present of apricots, white grapes, coriander, and woody aromas underneath no doubt produced by the sour smells. Other than that, the yeastiness is unbelievable here, with a strong, aged aroma that reminds me of oude guezes. Beyond the the yeasty smell, there's a sweet aroma, which almost seems like the sugar that the yeast is currently snaking on. Alive (literally) and very lively, this is one of the nicest perfumed Belgian ales I've had in quite a while.

The flavor is equally complex, yet there are several ways in which it can be pinned down. There's a primary attack on the senses with malts, and then some dried hops (which become exponentially more noticeable as this warms up), and finally, an alcoholic finish. Primarily, the apricots are everlasting in this beer, and it is very reminiscent of fruit tarts, as well as intense lemon rinds. It's very pleasant, but for the first time I'm claiming that this is better cold, as it masks the hoppiness that throws these flavors off balance as it warms up. Nevertheless, this is a *perfect* drinking experience when it comes to feel, as it's yeasty and thick, as well as heavily carbonated, which comforts the palate underneath the intense sour and bitter flavors. Thick and bready, it's wonderfully welcoming and seems to have a lasting aftertaste for quite a while.

In short, versatile. Pop it open during a formal celebration, or open while kicking back on the porch on a sunny day, or sit by the fire on a freezing day with cheese and bread... No matter what occasion, Saison Dupont will be apropos. This is a fantastic beer unlike any I've had, and being far less overwhelming in sourness compared to others, as well as a balanced ABV, it's very likely to be visited again many times over.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 07:49:40 | More by magictacosinus

SCOTTHASKINS

4.45/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A – Yellow with some gold. Had a large head which took some time to settle
S-First aroma was the sour, little funky. Citrus/lemon aroma with spice and a hint of oak.
T-Similar to the smell. Sour/tart, with the hint of lemon. Soft finish
M- nice carbonation. Very light feel.
O – Wonderful, all around. Great for a hot afternoon on the porch. I will certainly drink this again

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2012 11:26:12 | More by SCOTTHASKINS

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Overwhelming head. Starts with a 10 to 1 ratio of foam to liquid. As it settles, some flashes of lace remain on the glass. Lumpy. The liquid is hazy with a green tinge to the straw color. Large chunks of lace after each sip.

Earthy and sour, like a touch of lemon. Here's something unusual--I smell cooked meat (pork?). Don't know why...

Strong barnyard flavor. Quite sour, which remains long after the swallow. Relatively thin bodied, highly carbonated. There's a bit of light pepper on the edge. There's also a touch of chalk, thyme and hop bitterness. Complex.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2012 00:40:42 | More by smcolw

spokeydonkey

New York

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

Posted from a 12 oz bottle into a snifter.

Slightly hazy with a thick white head and nice champagne-like stream of bubbles. Pear and cloves in the aroma with some slight sulphur notes. Tastes of pepper and light apple notes with a slight almost soapiness from the hops. Finishes bone dry and crisp with some bite from the carbonation.

Overall a very solid saison. Easy to drink a few of these.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2012 02:13:57 | More by spokeydonkey

heygeebee

Australia

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

BB 2014

Won't really add much to this many reviews.

Fabulous pour, blast of a head fills a Duvel tulip.

Aromas as soon as the cap is lifted all The Right Stuff, yeast, lemon, a bit of cloves, a bit of funk and bit of sour.

Magnificently zesty as it goes down without being too sour. Carbonation dances on tongue.

Great beer for start of summer.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2012 09:27:03 | More by heygeebee

spoony

Colorado

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

11.2 oz bottle into a tulip glass.

A-The bottle poured a cloudy yellow with a slight golden shimmer. The head was a full three fingers of creamy, thick off-white foam. Strong carbonation keeps the head alive for quite a while.

S-The small is mostly yeast and funk. There is touch of spice, some lemon, and other citrus notes in there. Not overly doughy or sweet. I thought the smell was a real highlight.

T-Mostly follows the smell. You get a yeasty, funky biscuit flavor, but the brew is not doughy like some yeasty (Belgian, especially) beers. There is a nice light undertone of spice, and a hint of lemon and other light fruits. I barely noticed the alcohol (unlike, for example, Tank 7, which I also enjoy).

M-The carbonation is very noticeable...big, chewy bubbles, but the beer is not heavy or oily. Definitely a summer drinker.

O-A nice archetype of a saison, which is one of my favorite styles of beer. The Dupont is drinkable, but complex enough to hold your interest.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2012 03:04:18 | More by spoony

gottabetweed

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 11oz. Bottle into a tulip glass. Pours a hazy golden yellow with a very agressive 3 finger head. Head lingers with good lacing on dissipation.

Smell is bread, lemon, and berries.

Taste is hefe yeast, with subdued bananas and clove. Tart with a slight alcohol after taste.

Mouthfeel is very light and very bubbly.

Overall a good Saison, but not a killer.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2012 23:28:07 | More by gottabetweed

dontpanic5

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

The beer pours a hay color, the body is murky underneath a huge white head. The smell is strong and lovely, it's fruity and malty and warm. Man am I glad I waited til a warm summer evening to enjoy this. The taste is fantastic, fruity and clear, the ingredients coming together perfectly to give the experience of being outdoors during summer. There isnt much mouthfeel to speak of because the beer is so light.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2012 23:06:48 | More by dontpanic5

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

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

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

At Eb's I'm surprised I haven't rated this before.
Pours a slightly hazy yellow color with a bubbly white head with moderate retention. Smells of earthy spicy and funky; lemony and fruity with a carbonic acid thing going on. The flavor is complex with pepper and earth and tart lemony fruit and light sweet non descript fruit. Medium to light body with spirited level of carbonation and a bubbly mouthfeel. Nice light refreshing fruity and tart ale.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2012 01:35:28 | More by johnnnniee

Bouleboubier

Pennsylvania

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

Even observed through its green bottle, it appears cloudy - once poured, a golden, cloudy liquid, highly carbonated as witnessed from the overly-voluminous fizzy, poppy, and spongy white head that thrusts up in the glass; foamy, rocky - looks like a cloudy champagne altogether, however, with excellent head retention and lacing

a floral, fruited, and distinctly "Belgian" bouquet - almost apple, grassy/herbal - sweet and champagne-like - stink of yeast and vaguely hoppy - slowly a medicinal, rubbing alcohol scent cuts through, however, not off-putting - fairly "straight-forward" aroma, if that makes sense

initially slightly tart and fruity as heck on the palate - alcohol delicately surges after - vaguely honey-ish malt develops midway, dragging with it a mildly grainy flavor - the excellent spicy (phenolic) and floral nuances from the interplay of the yeast and alcohol are the central focus - only slightly off-balanced toward the warm alcohol

it drinks light and effervescent, but not necessarily thin nor viscous in any way - pretty darn sharp and dry in the finish - tartness and carb spikes the tongue and causes a couple vicious belches - but this is insanely drinkable, though perhaps lacking a little body for my taste

I can see where this is considered a benchmark of the style - The bold spiciness and strong floral character throughout certainly sets it apart (as a style in and of itself) within the realm of Belgian ales - at the very least, Saison Dupont seems to stand as a base example from which variations and embellishments and experiments (could) spring forth

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2012 00:01:29 | More by Bouleboubier

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

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

Bottle dates L121118 poured in to Duvel tulip.

A - Cloudy golden yellow with 3 generous fingers of white head that slowly reduced to a finger. Good lacing.

S - Clove and Belgian yeast up front with some spice and bready malts rounding out the nose.

T - Mix of spice, cloves and Belgian yeast up front with a touch of bready malt sweetness and some floral notes rounding out the palate. A long, dry finish. Well balanced.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2012 16:09:33 | More by TheSevenDuffs

Lemke10

Wisconsin

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

Pours a hazy golden amber color with a thick pillow head that is very reminiscent of the Stella Artois commercials. Scent is grassy with citrus hints and an overall earthy smell. Taste is refreshing, full of flavor, and delicious that ends with a dry/crisp finish. A fantastically made farmhouse ale.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2012 17:35:54 | More by Lemke10

Hoppsbabo

United Kingdom (England)

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

A: Peach colour. Bit of a foamy white head.

S: Belgian spice, no banana.

T: Typical Belgian pale ale flavour. Banana and spice are assumed rather than presented. Not very complex. Fizzy and sharp.

O: Not a bad beer at all but I can't imagine ever buying it again.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2012 07:19:37 | More by Hoppsbabo