Avril - Brasserie Dupont sprl

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.89/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Rich straw color with a solid haze. Lumpy settling of the head. Quite white. Nice fluffy lace spots.

Fresh sour aroma. Very appealing. No earthiness--a preference for me.

Starts with a dry pale malted barley flavor. The sourness is muted compared to the smell. The finish is bitter with a long aftertaste. So dry in the end, it's nearly astringent. Full body but with an even higher carbonation level.

I think this is one of the more drinkable Saisons. It isn't extreme in any way. Yet, it still has all of the basic flavors and smells.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 23:40:45 | More by smcolw

superspak

Michigan

4.2/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

750 ml bottle into tulip glass, bottled on 5/1/2012. Pours lightly hazy golden straw color with a 2-3 finger fluffy and foamy white head with fantastic retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Spotty foamy lacing clings on the glass; with a good amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of lemon zest, pear, apple, orange zest, floral, pepper, clove, grass, wheat, straw, cracker, light funk, and spicy yeast earthiness. Damn nice aromas with good balance, complexity, and strength of yeast, malt, and hop notes. Taste of big lemon zest, pear, apple, orange zest, pepper, clove, floral, grass, wheat, cracker, straw, light funk, and spicy yeast earthiness. Lingering notes of citrus, light fruit, clove, pepper, floral, grass, straw, wheat, cracker, light funk, and yeast earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Damn nice balance and complexity of hop, malt, and yeast ester flavors; with zero cloying flavors present after the finish. High carbonation and light-medium bodied; with a very smooth, crisp, and slightly creamy mouthfeel that is fantastic. Alcohol is invisible at 3.5%, with no warming noticed at all as expected. Overall this is a highly excellent table saison! Great balance and complexity of malt, hop, and yeast ester flavors; extremely smooth and crisp to drink. A highly enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 04:36:44 | More by superspak

ThePorterSorter

New York

3.63/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The beer pours a slightly hazy, light straw yellow with a fluffy white head that fades quickly, but laces. The nose is lemon and skunk...nuff said. I guess it's what I get for getting a 2011 bottle. However, the skunkiness does come to pass revealing a very faint citrus and grain-forward nose. The taste is light and mildly grainy with a splash of bitterness and yeast. The mouthfeel is slightly thicker than water and finishes quite dry. There is very little sweetness and plenty of carbonation. Overall this was a good table beer, but I do prefer beer table table beer more.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 01:26:58 | More by ThePorterSorter

DaveAnderson

Minnesota

4.08/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This clear, lemon-yellow beer produces a big foamy head of ultra-fine pure white bubbles, even with a careful pour. It looks like it's topped with meringue.

This smells like springtime. It's like walking into a flower shop. So light, with a hint of tartness. I want to bury my nose in the glass and breathe deeply. Of course, it's hard to find room for my nose with all that foam.

Such a clean taste. It's a little grassy, a hint of lemon zest. Now I'm catching some dandelion, both on the tongue and in the nose. There's none of the tartness suggested by the aroma. It has a perfect, cleansing bitterness in the finish.

If there's anywhere this disappoints me, it's mouthfeel. At 3.5%, this is obviously going to be on the thin side. It's certainly well-carbonated, but unlike some others in the style, this beer doesn't have the fine carbonation that reminds me of drinking champagne. Maybe I'm just being picky.

I have friends who insist there's nothing better than an American adjunct lager when it's hot out, and you've just finished mowing the lawn. I beg to differ. This beer is supremely drinkable, and I made short order of a 750ml bottle in the dead of Winter. In the Summer, this would be killer.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2012 19:00:41 | More by DaveAnderson

rudzud

Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Sampled with JLindros while trying to figure our pairings for our beer dinner. Poured into a Kate the Great tulip.

A - Nice hazy citrusy yellow pour with a huge fluffy pillowy head fades semi slowly to leave lots of lacing.

S - Aromas of lightly floral and earthy hops along with some light spice notes. Faint, but nice, citrus and lemon with faint saison funk.

T - Taste is pretty darn solid. Light almost pilsner qualities with faint citrus notes as well. Some subtle earthy saison qualities along with some light dry spice notes with a good slightly bitter hoppy/dry finish with nice floral/citrus notes.

M - Mouthfeel is solid, good medium bodied saison with nice almost prickly carbonation.

O - Overall this was a solid beer from Dupont. This is actually what we ended up going with for one of our pairings.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2012 18:37:26 | More by rudzud

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Huge fluffy pillowy head fades semi slowly lots of lacing, hazy grapefruit yellow color

Nose light floral saison earthy and light spices nice citrus and lemon, grassy, light pilsner like malts soft and airy, light Belgian golden malts.

Taste soft golden malts, light pilsner toasty and hint wheat like, juicy light citrus, bit of earthy farmhouse saison with light spices, dry, aromatic, floral. Hint lemon and grassy with slight touch of hop bitterness. Finish is dry and floral, nice saison flavors farmhouse and touch floral spices and citrus lingering.

Mouth is med bodied nice carb.

Overall quite nice.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2012 20:38:28 | More by jlindros

MerkinMan

Georgia

4.4/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Medium gold with a billowy and persistent white head that retains like a champ and marks the glass on the way down

S - Lemony phenols up front, honeysuckle and other small spring wildflowers, some wheat grainy sweetness behind that. Just a hint of floral hops along with more peppery phenols

T - Wheat, lemon phenols and spicy hop flavors join together gently up front with some bitterness and lemon flavors lingering into the finish. No agressive flavors. A touch of acidity adds to the refreshing nature of this beer.

MF - Medium-light bodied and effervescent. High carbonation, now astringency or warmth. Mouth-filling

O: Very enjoyable and refreshing. A nice alternative to the super-saisons that have become fashionable. Tart acidity makes for a great summer time refresher. I will buy this again.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2012 21:44:23 | More by MerkinMan

cpolking

Iowa

4.58/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The beer pours a hazy and cloudy light golden yellow, looking somewhat bleached, yet glowing. There is a massive head of billowing and bubbling white foam.

The aroma is like the implanted seed in my brain of the essence of beer itself. There is lots of golden grain, lagerish funkiness, straw, earthy, floral, grassy, all in perfect harmony.

The taste is rich, dry, malty and golden grain, just a touch of honey, fresh and clean straw, with herbs and flowers, with a refreshingly bitter and dry finish.

You must go out immediately and find this beer and drink it, it is amazingly good.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2012 21:08:19 | More by cpolking

Nay

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Low alcohol table beer. Super high carbonation, watery body. Aroma of pils malt, yeast, barnyard, mild phenols. Mild phenols carry through into flavor and lends most of the character to this light ale. Meh, but hey, 3.5 ABV. 250 characters are too many for this beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2012 02:09:33 | More by Nay

axeman9182

New Jersey

3.65/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

750 mL bottle from Amanti Vino's Beer of the Month program. It was poured into my petite Duvel tulip.

Avril pours a mildly hazy lemon yellow. The fluffy white head is massive, passing four fingers in height. Head retention is absolutely off the charts, it lingers forever and half an hour later I've still got half a finger of foam. Lacing's just a little too spotty for the appearance to be perfect though. The nose has lots of pleasant herbal and lightly peppery aromas. There's an underlying earthy, musty aroma that I'm not quite as fond of, but it's very much secondary. It pops up a bit more in the flavor profile though. A dry pear flavor lashes brief at the open, and it's all spice/herbs and must the rest of the way. I wish the intensity of the latter was a little more in line with the nose though. The body is incredibly light, toeing the line on watery, and the carbonation manages to overpower it. It goes beyond bubbly and energetic, and actually becomes a little bit harsh and distracting. Avril's a pretty solid choice for a very low ABV beer, but I think I'm just not a huge fan of Dupont's yeast strain.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2012 02:28:56 | More by axeman9182

rangerred

Tennessee

3.48/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a tulip.

Appearance is a hazy straw yellow with tons of carbonation leaving a billowy white head. Great lacing and head retention.

Smell is a little skunky at first but that soon yields to a nice yeasty aroma with a tiny hint of barnyard funk. Some clove and banana with a little bit of lemon.

The flavor is quite crisp with some light grain and wood followed by a hint of lemon tartness. A little grape and barnyard round out the flavors. The finish is extremely dry and clean leaving you wanting another sip.

It is slightly lacking in flavor and body but for only being 3.5%, this beer would be a great thirst quencher on a hot day.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2012 20:33:18 | More by rangerred

Maakies

California

3.58/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a Stella Chalice.

A - Light Golden and Cloudy Straw in color. Very heady beer if you're not careful! It subsides rather quickly though, not too dense.

S - Very sweet and fragrant, some citrus and musky notes, similar to bergamot. The spices remind me of clove or nutmeg with a background of floral aromatics.

T - It starts out very similar to the foret or saison dupont, sweet, yeasty, coriander, nutmeg, and clove but the flavors in the Avril subside pretty quickly. The finish is rather clean and quick but should be expected from a low ABV like this style.

M - Creamy and rich, lots of carbonation that tingles on the roof of the mouth and tongue. Very light and thin.

O - I have to admit my favorite style of beer is a farmhouse/saison and when I heard Avril was out I grabbed it as soon as I saw it. I realized the ABV was 3.5% after the fact, I was worried it would be lackluster, but I am happy I was proven wrong. This is about the 4th or 5th beer I've had now that was focused on being lower ABV but not lower quality. I really like this trend!

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2012 04:12:16 | More by Maakies

metter98

New York

4.03/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: The beer is clear light golden yellow in color and has a high amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a massive two finger high bright white head that gradually died down, but consistently left a smell head covering the surface and a coating of bubbles down the sides of the glass.
S: There are moderately strong aromas of yeast in the nose along with notes of spices as well as hints of barnyard funk.
T: The taste is similar to the smell and has flavors of earthy yeast along with hints of spicy yeast. The spices are most prominent in the finish and linger through the aftertaste.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied and rather dry on the palate with a high amount of carbonation.
O: This beer is very nice, refreshing and sessionable. It would make a perfect accompaniment to a meal. The bière de table also has a good amount of flavor considering its low alcohol content and light-bodied nature.

Note: 2011 vintage

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2012 02:14:17 | More by metter98

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Slightly cloudy straw yellow in color with moderate amounts of visible carbonation. The beer pours with a soapy two finger tall white head that reduces by about 50% but remains. There is significant lacing observed.

S: The aroma is a little light but what I do smell is very pleasant and enjoyable. Some light floral notes that make me think of early spring followed by some light lemon, grassy hops, and a light grain.

T: It starts with an almost pilsener-like graininess and then some lemon, spices, and light fruit. Some bitterness but not a lot, just enough to balance out some of the other flavors. There is a very much a yeast/spice note in the aftertaste.

M: Light bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Slightly creamy and then dry in the finish.

O: Exceptionally easy to drink, very sessionable, very enjoyable, and would pair well with just about any food. A great beer to be having on the first really warm spring day here in NYC. What a fantastic beer that is light and refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2012 21:55:40 | More by dbrauneis

danedelman

Pennsylvania

3.4/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

750ml bottle served in a sniffter glass

A-hazy straw yellow with a soapy looking head, very large. about 4 finger head.

S-smells of a skunk, lemon, grassy and soggy wheatabix cereal come to mind. Not sure about this one. Lots going on though for a 3.5% beer.

T-complete difference from smell. Starts with a lemongrass and then dyes. very bland after that other than a very very small does of wheat/malt.

M-very thin but light.

O-had higher hopes for this one...will not buy again.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2012 00:14:53 | More by danedelman

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

750ml bottle

Appearance - Hazy amber colour with a huge frothy/fluffy white head. There is an average amount of carbonation showing. There is also some great lacing and the head lasted for a while.

Smell - yeast, coriander, herbal, hops

Taste & Mouth - There is an average amount of carbonation and I can also taste yeast, wheat, and a peppery spice mix. There is also a nice dose of hops and some coriader and maybe a hint of banana. It ends with a yeasty/spicy aftertaste.

Overall - There is a surprising amount of flavour for such a low ABV beer. I managed to get through my bottle, but I wouldn't want much more than 750ml. A nice interesting and drinkable beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2011 20:56:00 | More by spinrsx

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.13/5  rDev -20.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Now that's new. A sessioinable Saison meant for the dinner table results in a very spritzy and bright ale with faint fruitiness and spice, but as light in body as any of the style I've encountered.

In true Saison fashion, a canary yellow pour releases a rocky and froathy snow white head with abundant retention and lace laid upon the glass. A very solid and inviting ale.

Very soft floral notes give the light impression of honeysuckle, perfume, herbal grasses, pear, and apple. Low in power, these aromas build upon a lightly grainy base.

Light pilsner malts contribute very little in terms of sweetness but deliver a crisp cracker-like taste that remains low in order from which the delicate ester and phenolic balance springs. Very light fruitiness is represented by green apple, pear, and kiwi while a mild spice of earthy hops, white pepper and mineral salts frame the sober flavor profile. Earthy hops have a leafy character to support the balance and offer a little intrigue. The minerally quality seems to take on a selzer water taste of which I'm not sure I'm too terribly fond.

Very lightly creamy in body, the zesty carbonation gives a very airy champagne-like prickle to the mouth. After the carbonation subsides, the beer's thinness is revealed and the beer seems watery and with a light metalic sensation to the mouth. A terse aftertaste of mineral and grain is short lived, but adds to the crispness and cleanliness of the beer.

Suitable for most dishes of lighter fare, but as a stand alone pint it just doesn't offer enough intrigue to fully celebrate. But appreciation is deserved with this simple ale.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2011 03:16:17 | More by BEERchitect

Haybeerman

Colorado

4.03/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Straw/gold; evenly hazy. Poured awhite head with excellent retention.and laced well. Laced in wavy patches.

S: Citrus and fruit/gunk yeast aroma.

T: consistent with the nose. Not overly sour or sweet. Bready malt character. Crisp snd light

M: Light body. Ample carbonation; very active in the glass and on the palate.

O: Very sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2011 23:44:10 | More by Haybeerman

bruachan

Rhode Island

3.75/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

hazy gold with ample foamage: sudsy but also merengue-ey

spicy, minty hop aroma. very spicy. floral pils malts. this beer's bouquet is its strongest element, with the tongue reporting a much more crisp and less full sensory range than the tongue

wheaty and hopgrassy. minimally spicy, which is interesting, given the highly potent aromas. bitterness is perhaps too strong

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2011 22:08:49 | More by bruachan

Errto

Connecticut

4.13/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle purchased at Table & Vine, West Springfield, MA.

Pours a very pale gold color, fairly translucent, bubbly with a nice frizzy sort of head. Smells at first of hops, the sort of pungent earthy hops like you'd find in a traditional Pils. The taste is very light and refreshing, as should be expected. There's just a touch of delicate fruitiness to it, a small hint of bitterness. The feel is about as light as I've ever tasted in a beer, nice and tingly with a fine carbonation. As it warms a few more flavors start to come through, still very mild - in particular a bit of that floweriness you expect from a saison.

Overall, a nice, simple subtle, enjoyable beer for the summer. I wish more American brewers made beers like this so they were easier to come by.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2011 00:40:53 | More by Errto

BurgerJones

Oregon

4.05/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from 750mL bottle into imperial pint glass after a long week of work.

Golden, slightly hazy pour with bright white head that retained and laced well.

Citrus and slight yeast aroma.

Was hoping for a sessionable Belgian when I bought it and that's just what I got. Mouthfeel is crisp and light.

Tastes are tangy lemon up front, peppery finish, slight grassy and floral notes.

Highly drinkable, wish I'd bought another.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2011 23:43:25 | More by BurgerJones

draheim

Washington

4.05/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

750mL bottle (code L10048A 17:18), poured into my Hennepin glass.

Greenish yellow color, slightly hazy, close to the color of a chardonnay. Nice bright creamy white head, decent retention, nice lacing.

Smell is pungent yeast and farmhouse funk. I can smell it from 4 feet away.

The taste is light and refreshing, a lighter version of Saison Dupont. Faint lemon, spice, yeast, and clean, crisp water.

This is a true Belgian session beer. I could enjoy this for hours with a fine meal or a backyard barbecue.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2011 05:19:31 | More by draheim

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This brew is yellow hued with a small, white, fluffy head that leaves a healthy amount of lacing on the glass.

The aroma brings grasses, lemon zest, floral notes, yeast, and spices.

This is one of the most flavorful beers under 4% abv I have had the pleasure to drink. Extremely well balanced and packed with a bouquet of everything I found in the aroma, only more potent.

The body is light and crisp, making this an ideal choice for a hot weather beer. The finish is delicate and smooth. This beer is chuggable. It would be quite easy to put away several of these.

I was really impressed by Dupont Avril. I will definitely get this again.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2011 01:00:41 | More by Huhzubendah

Georgiabeer

Georgia

4.03/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Mmmmm. I love me a good Saison, especially one with such a low abv that still packs in some flavor. An excellent summer option. Pours a somewhat cloudy golden with a nice glow to it, a fairly big head that sticks around as a nice cap. Smells floral, slightly herbal, and fairly light. Tastes similar to the smell. Light, floral, a little grainy, a touch of light banana and clove and some late drying coriander. Light and crisp in the mouth, a good summer porch beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2011 19:39:08 | More by Georgiabeer

kbutler1

Minnesota

3.58/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle. Poured into a snifter glass a cloudy yellow color with a nice white head. The aroma has notes of wheat, banana, clove, and spearmint. Perhaps a touch of bubblegum as well. Light mouthfeel. The taste pretty much follows the nose but the bubblegum to me sticks out more in the taste. Some florals. Pretty refreshing. Overall, I actually liked this. I could see the bubblegum flavor getting a little old but otherwiese enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2011 12:12:27 | More by kbutler1