Saison Dupont - Brasserie Dupont sprl

LambicPentameter

Kansas

4.21/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Enjoyed on tap at Barley's Brewhaus out of a Dupont stange glass.

Appearance - A spongy one-finger head of orangish-white rests atop a body of apricot and amber. It's murky and impossible to see through, in spite of the thin cylinder of a glass. Solid retention and excellent lacing, leaving rings down the side of the glass marking the level of the liquid between each drink.

Smell - Belgian yeast, some faint funk, but overall a clean aroma with some elements of pepper and spice.

Taste - Amazingly balanced with notes of hop bitterness, more Belgian yeast giving way to phenolic characteristics, elements of citrus and herbal sweetness.

Mouthfeel - Medium-bodied and moderate carbonation with some resinous characteristics that leave a lingering pleasantness in the aftertaste. Entices you to take the next drink.

Overall, it's easy to see why this is one of the standard-bearers for the farmhouse style. I prefer my saisons to be a little more in-your-face, with some more funk and dankess. But this one is clearly versatile for multiple seasons and cuisines.

Serving type: on-tap

04-21-2013 05:55:45 | More by LambicPentameter

beerweevil

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

This beer was offered to me as the "o.g. saison." I could believe this beer has inspired a brewer or two. It's an exhilirating balance of complex, spicy bitterness, light sweetness, and a uique and forward acidity. I look forward to drinking more.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 20:46:21 | More by beerweevil

bmwats

Louisiana

3.86/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 375 ml bottle into my Lost Abbey teku.

A: Hazy golden hue. Pours a giant, cascading, foamy, white head. Settles very slowly and unevenly, leaving behind a crater-ous look, and some dry, sticky residue. Eventually settles to a thin foam blanket. Thick spider web lacing.

S: Baked French bread with a strong peanutty character. Slight tones of hay, fermented fruit, and lemon citrus.

T: Very bready character. Accentuated with some say, pine, and faint hints of fermented raspberry.

M: Light and refreshing. Slightly pungent, sticky, papery aftertaste. A little dry.

D: Not much resistance.

Atmosphere is pretty good. Hazy hue, giant head, sticky leftovers as it settles, and plenty of lacing as you drink it down. Nose is heavy bread with some peanut and fermented fruit. Bready flavor with some pine bite, offset with some faint allegations of fruit. Dry, light, and papery. Overall, this is a really good quaff.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 04:59:50 | More by bmwats

coreyfmcdonald

Georgia

4.58/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle into a snifter

A: Pours a hazy golden color with three fingers of fluffy head with a very careful pour. Excellent retention and lacing.

S: Lemon zest is quite strong with and underlying funkiness and mustiness. A touch of clove in the background. Smells very refreshing.

T: Spicier than I expected from the aroma. Peppercorn comes out quite strongly with a lemon zest flavor matching the peppercorn in intensity. An underlying funk and mustiness adds to the complexity.

M: On the lighter side with very strong carbonation.

O: Tis is a nearly perfect Saison. It's too bad more than half the bottles I've had are skunked. This beer has been far better than other bottles I've had, though. It's balanced, complex, and refreshing - pretty much the perfect Saison.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2013 22:43:50 | More by coreyfmcdonald

John_Henry

Japan

4.25/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Exceptional beer! Very well rounded and subtle. Beautiful floral notes with complex yeast undertones. Perfect hop bitterness and a slight sour touch. Smooth mouth feel with complex lingering flavors, including a slight maltiness.

If you haven't tried it, it's certainly worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 18:48:34 | More by John_Henry

ElSid

California

4.39/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottled Date Code: L12279B

A: Hazy yellow golden with a soft white head of foam of small bubbles which stick to the glass and refuse to give way.

S: Bright and clean with mineral notes along with apple, green grapes, kiwi, and pear. There is also some honey along with chewy and cracker-like maltiness. Faint peppercorn and clove add to the nose.

T: Brief mineral and metallic edge with strong ester fruitiness similar to the tnose: tart apple, green grapes, kiwi and pear. The yeast also offer some subtle hay and barnyard funk which plays off the fruity esters. Honey and cracker malt sweetness come through in the middle. The finish is of mild earthy bitterness and astringency with subtle but ample dose of black pepper and clove.

M: Light to medium with mild chewiness and moderate carbonation which adds to the overall lightness of the brew.

O: A refreshing and bright beer which draws true strength from the yeast. A necessary beer to experience for anyone who wishes to understand Belgian beer styles. At $8.99 at BevMo, this brew will be a regular in the rotation for the warm season which is settling upon Los Angeles.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 02:55:18 | More by ElSid

mikem0487

Pennsylvania

4.36/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

750mL bottle poured into my Tired Hands saison glass (large tulip glass that is reminiscent of a wine glass.)

A-A nice golden body that is quite cloudy. No large particulates or yeast sediment in the glass. Head was over three fingers width. Bright white in color with great head retention and nice lacing left on the glass. As the head recedes back into the beer I can hear the bubbles crackling.

S-Floral and defiantly pick up the yeast. The yeast gives off that clove aroma. The rest of the nose is full of grassy barn yard aroma with orange rind. Traces of lemon and banana peel can be pulled through the bouquet that turns out to be very enjoyable.

T-The yeast is right upfront for the taste as well. Those fruits found in the smell are there helping to balance out the yeast. On the palate you get a dank malt complexity mixed with those citrus notes. At the end you get a slight peppery taste with the citrus notes still in play.

M-Enjoy the carbonation on this beer alot. Perfect for a saison. Medium/high in the body. Finishes not as dry as I was expecting.

O-A great saison. Love everything about it. The nose and taste are very complex and make it hard to decipher exactly what you are experiencing. Extremely enjoyable however and easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 00:43:35 | More by mikem0487

4DAloveofSTOUT

Illinois

4.29/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25

poured into Crooked Stave tulip glass.

750 C&C bottle; vintage 2012.

Appearance: cloudy straw yellow bodied beer with 3 fingers of bone white head. Head has some great staying power and stays around for a long time. A rocky and uneven cap remains during the entire drink.

Smell: Citrusy, floral, and yeasty nose. Wheat malts and a mild fruity sweetness. A hint of mustiness.

Taste: Starts with a mild lemon tartness and tropical fruits. Wheat malts and lots of yeast notes that are bready and fruity giving just the right amount of sweetness to the beer. Maybe a hint of banana. Hint of black pepper and cloves. Musty funk and a touch of barnyard flavor. Finishes with a mild floral and grassy hop that is mildly bitter. Also green apples, lemon zest, and more wheat malts.

Mouthfeel: light bodied beer with moderate carbonation. The carbonation is really fantastic; its honestly carbonated perfectly. Clean and crisp; really really lively beer. Nice dry finish. The head of this beer it has a silky feel and it contrasts with the feel of the body of the beer as described above really interesting effect.

Overall: Really great saison. Love the look and feel of this beer the most. A benchmark beer for the style! Its a must try beer. An $8 shelf beer in a large format bottle. Great value and a well crafted brew walk together hand in hand.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 01:46:49 | More by 4DAloveofSTOUT

MikeB20

Delaware

4.48/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

P: 11.2oz brown bottle into a tulip glass.

A: Hazy gold with orange highlights and a two finger white head. A little sediment in the glass but you have to hold it up to the light to see it.

S: Smells like a barnyard with some wonderful sweet floral and tart fruity notes. Earthy as well. I find it to be very inviting for a Belgian, I want to taste this beer.

T: A nice light grainy malt base with some tart fruit in the finish. There's a little yeast at the end after the other flavors have faded. Refreshing.

M: Very light and very carbonated with a dry finish. Super easy to drink and it's a smooth as can be.

O: This is a really nice Saison. It hits on what I'd expect from a one, barnyard, tart fruit and flowers, dry and easy drinking, it's all there. This is a very refreshing beer that I'll gladly seek out in the hotter months. I love Belgian's and this is one of my favorites.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 20:14:48 | More by MikeB20

Sludgeman

District of Columbia

4.61/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Purchased a 375 ml for $5.99. Poured into a large wine glass.

A - Pours a pale cloudy orange. A snow white two-finger head, a little rocky. Good lacing. Good carbonation that keeps a thin layer of head.

A - Yeasty, a little spice and fruit.

T - Clean, balanced, with a dry finish, touch of bitterness.

MF - Dry and lip smacking.

O - Refreshing! Almost a lawn mower beer. This is not a saison that gives you some funky farmyard (which I like very much), but I love it.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 20:06:30 | More by Sludgeman

raynmoon

California

3.89/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4

hazy white/orange with a fluffy head that won't go away.

Typical saison smell: breadiness, citrusy hops, some light funkiness from the yeast. Smells good though.

midly bitterup front and goes down smooth. Some breadiness in there, light citrus notes.

Super refreshing and tastey, but this bottle feels sort of old. That, or this is just decent. Well balanced though.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 05:36:55 | More by raynmoon

doktorhops

Australia

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

Beer review #200: Let's just say this calls for a celebration and I thought why not try a saison? And what's a better saison than Dupont? None according to what others have said. I can't believe it's been 200 beers already, remember the early reviews? No, well here's some excerpts randomly thrown together: "designed to streamline... radical tortoise... hierarchy under subjective rule... these images are manifest to mankind... please step away from the doors... like ice in a glacier...". *note some/all excerpts may have nothing whatsoever to do with beer.

Poured from a 750ml bottle into a St Feuillien chalice.

A: Cloudy pale gold body with an ample (and excitable) 2cm white head that stands resolute in the glass.

S: Sweet scented cider apples, barnyard straw, musky yeast and an earthy hop note round out the aroma. It's a very rustic fragrance and one that invites you like an eastern European person would into their home for a nice hearty bowl of Goulash.

T: Wow is all I can say. Such a well balanced flavour profile - begins with those sweet cider apples, mid-palate adds a touch of sour yeast and some distilled grain alcohol, then finishes with citric hop bitterness and a Champagne dryness together in harmony. Reminiscent of Duvel in all the right ways.

M: Body is medium, carbonation is creamy with a bit of Champagne fizz.

D: Highly drinkable and highly balanced, I cannot think of a single negative about this brew. I'm impressed by the simplicity (there aren't many flavours at play here) and the fact that it doesn't bore me at the same time. A real contender to Duvel, and cheaper as well.

Food match: The vinous character of this beer would most suit anything that goes well with white wine; light pasta, fish, and Asian cuisine. In fact this brew has flavours that would compliment anything bar game meats and char-grilled steaks.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 08:59:20 | More by doktorhops

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

4/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Appearance. Pours a hazy straw gold with a big 2+ fingers of fluffy white head. Very nice.

Smell. Peppery saison yeast, some sweet and tart light fruits, a little bit of lemon, bananna and wheat with just a bit of clove, skunk, and maybe some coriander.

Taste. Peppery saison yeast again, wheat and some bitter grassy hops, a little of that skunk I was smelling, a bit of banana and spice too.

Mouthfeel. Medium body with fairly strong, fine carbonation.

Overall. A fine and exemplary saison. Nothing very exciting, just a well made beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2013 03:40:53 | More by Rutager

trxxpaxxs

New York

3.75/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

2012 vintage...

A: Pours a light cloudy lemon straw with one and a half fingers of pure white head. The foam takes a bit to settle, and there is some decent lacing as it drinks.

S: The nose is funk, light citrus, slightly salty, and little peppery. I get some barnyard funk, stinky feet, and quality cheese out of it as well.

T: It starts out sweet with some citrus tartness. The get a big kick of barnyard funk in the middle where it gets a thin veil of pepper bite. The finish is bitter and a bit stinging.

M: Light bodied beer. Sweet and watery to start, but the yeast drives to the end, where it's bitter and ultimately, a bit dry.

O: This is a decent beer, but I have had many other Saisons that I enjoy much more. I don't think I'll be returning to this beer in the future.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2013 20:57:38 | More by trxxpaxxs

markleyc06

4.94/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

My ratings say it all. This is THE quintessential saison by which all other saisons are judged. Under style guidelines for saison....it should simply read "go drink a saison dupont".

A- Beautiful cloudy straw gold color with a massive soapy/frothy head!

S- Truly the pinnacle of this beer. Zesty citrus fruit esters with some grassy malts that blend together with a funky belgian yeasty smell that leaves you with something you just cant put your finger on, but you know you love it!

T- Just like it smells. Zesty citrus with a hearty pilsner malt backbone that blends together just right.

M- Second best part of this beer. Lots of carbonation but also a dry zest in this finish leaving your palate with a lingering "can't put your finger on it" taste that just makes you want to have more.

Overall- This is the most classic saison you can have as far as flavor and smell. Although it is high in alcohol for a "traditional" saison like was made in olden farming days of Belgium. But, nonetheless it is everything a saison was meant to be, which is: Thirst quenching, easy to drink, and extremely tasty. Truly one of the best beers out of belgium.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2013 19:10:23 | More by markleyc06

XpensiveBieros

New Hampshire

3.98/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A - An attractive hazy golden straw color w/a thick white foamy head that seems to dissapate fairly quickly.

S - The anticipated tropical fruits and expected Belgian qualities, banana, a bit grassy, apricot, and an interesting white pepper hint.

T - Good citrus flavors with a seamless transition to the yeastiness of the beer. Lemon peel, etc...the flavors linger for quite some time.

M - Active/prickly carbonation, medium light body that is certainly mouthfilling once you take a sip.

O - This is a beer that is definitely representative of its place and style. Without a doubt a strong foundation for where American beers are taking the saison style/interpretation...would absolutely drink it again (if not for enjoyment, to ground myself).

***From a 375 ml bottle poured into a tulip

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2013 14:11:00 | More by XpensiveBieros

dertyd

California

4.64/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75

375ml bottle to a chimay challice

A:beautyfull golden orange,nice fog with a lite foam that sticks around no laceing tho.

S:funky aroma hops,bannana,mangos,barnyard a nice aroma

T:sweet bread at first with a hint of tropical fruit,skunky bitter taste on the finnish

M:nice crisp goes down nice

Overall: this is my first saison ever and I am a fan wow what a beer its got so much going on all the flavors but at the same time verry smooth and refreshing kinda makes me pucker on the finnish realy good beer

Live life...drink beer!!!:-)

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 23:01:53 | More by dertyd

jgammoniv

Maine

4.61/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Hazy golden color with a dense eggshell head.
flowery nose
head is creamy. notes of citrus. bread and slight spiciness and mild bitter finish
foamy feel, silky
overall a very nice beer. very refreshing. i can see drinking this during the heat of the summer. or now in the winter to think about the days of summer.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 04:54:46 | More by jgammoniv

HabiMendes

Rhode Island

4.49/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The orange smell steps out right away from the beautiful sunny glass. The taste also brings the oranges, together with subtle floral tones. I can notice a black pepper tone, but strongly associated with the aroma, while taking the sip. The end is dry, with a well-balanced hop bitterness. This is a beer with character.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2013 02:59:14 | More by HabiMendes

SmashPants

Australia

4.16/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle: big solid green 750mL champagne-style bottle, a standard and plain Belgian label.

Appearance: very light golden yellow in colour, with fine carbonation and a big fluffy head that drops to a nice cap. Almost like champagne, funnily enough.

Aroma: plenty of earthy, herbal and floral characters on the nose - very different (this is my first Saison). Some light citric backing.

Taste: very different, but quite nice. Again with the dominant earthy and floral characteristics, with some lemon citric hops and some funky Belgian hops ( I assume these are wild?).

Aftertaste: hangs around nicely - a good beer for a slow session.

Mouth feel: light to medium in body with a somewhat higher carbonation than I was expecting. Goes down easily.

Overall: this was my first Saison - I have had Krieks and Lambics before, but I think Saison suits me a little better. Also, considering the size of the bottle (750mL), the ABV (6.5%) and the price (approx AU$12-13 a bottle in 2013) it is actually quite decent value. Not cheap, but I don't expect a specialty Belgian ale to be cheap by any means. This one is worth it.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 07:42:43 | More by SmashPants

teromous

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: Incredibly light in color, giving an appearance similar to lemonade. Fluffy white head that leaves some islands of lace on the glass. The body of the beer is extremely hazy. Very tiny carbonation bubbles are visible.

S: I pick up some funky scent...no other way to describe it. Some rubber, some lemon zest, some skunk scent. I'm wondering if the bottle is skunked at all or if it's just part of the beer.

T: Well I am happy to say that there is no skunk in the taste. Very clean flavors, with the earthy hops coming through, there is a very faint grain flavor, and a good amount of spice. A little peppery and some lemon zest very faintly in the background. It's a very subtle tasting beer and is probably the easiest Saison I've ever had to drink.

M: The mouthfeel is outstanding. It is smooth and refreshing while drinking, but leaving a slight dryness at the end. It goes down very calmly and does not feel unsettling at all.

O: Overall I am really enjoying drinking this beer. When smelling the beer I thought it was going to be ripe with funky flavors when it came to tasting. It was a complete polar shift. I found that my glass appeared to empty much quicker than other saisons I've had. It is not full of sourness or horsey barnyard smells and flavors (at least to me). It is very subtle in all flavors and they meld nicely.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 02:18:55 | More by teromous

aasher

Indiana

4.08/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

375ml bottle.

This one pours a light bodied opaque light gold in color with a one finger white head that sticks to the side of the glass. The nose is light and yeasty with orange peel, lemon rhind, aged hops, Belgian yeast, and a light floral character. The flavors too, are light and citrusy. There is a light orange sweetness followed by the lemon bitterness, a touch of corn, old hops, and light hibiscus and tea. I would say I prefer the nose a little more. It drinks very light and is definitely sessionable and easy to drink. This would be great for warmer weather. Overall this is a fine saison and one that at $10 is a must try.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 02:01:13 | More by aasher

superspak

Michigan

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

750 ml bottle into tulip glass, bottled on 5/1/2012. Pours hazy bright golden amber color with a nice 2-3 finger fluffy white head with great retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Spotty foamy lacing clings to the glass. Aromas of big lemon, apple, pear, pepper, clove, straw, hay, floral, earth, wheat, light leather, and funky yeast esters. Fantastic aromas with great balance and complexity of fruity/spicy esters. Taste of lemon, pear, apple, pepper, clove, straw, hay, grass, earth, floral, light leather, and lightly funky yeast spiciness. Fair amount of earthy spiciness on the finish; with lingering notes of light fruits, pepper, clove, straw, wheat, hay, earth, and lightly funky yeast spiciness on the finish for a good bit. Damn nice flavor complexity and balance; with zero cloying flavors on the finish. Medium-high carbonation and medium bodied; with a lightly slick and fairly crisp and foamy mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with hardly any warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a highly excellent saison! Great flavor complexity and balance; and very smooth to sip on this the high carbonation. A highly enjoyable offering as expected.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2013 05:05:27 | More by superspak

Greywulfken

New York

4.39/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A: into a tulip: hazy gold with lots of suspended sediment; fluffy head that persisted nicely and left some lace behind

S: light bready malt with tons of earthy/herbal hop and yeast notes

T: delicate pale malts and zesty, spicy and floral hops and fresh, bright yeast; bitter/tart on the backend

M: crisp, fresh, and light; sparkly carbonation; very clean-finishing

O: I'm pretty sure this is a benchmark saison - light, clean-tasting, refreshing and satisfying - easy-drinking.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2013 20:05:15 | More by Greywulfken

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4.03/5  rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

one of the classic saisons, and one ive been meaning to try again and review for awhile. i really enjoy this beer. its pale honey colored in appearance and a bit cloudy with an absolutely massive white foam head, like a giant snow bank. a big old white pillow that hardly subsides at all. the nose is delicate pitted fruit and a moderately spicy belgian yeast. wheat malt and yeast are the first two flavors i pick up, but there is a gentle summery sweetness in the back end with golden raisins, peaches, and wildflowers. amazing how all these subtleties come together in a beer that remains so light and airy. effervescent carbonation makes it feel even lighter in the mouth, and although the body isnt that light, it really feels like drinking a cloud. super sessionable in the summertime for sure, and a nice reminder in the winter that summer will come again, as it always does. one of the better widely available saisons out there.

Serving type: on-tap

01-13-2013 19:05:25 | More by StonedTrippin