Posca Rustica - Brasserie Dupont sprl

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle from Harvest Wines. From notes.

A - Poured cloudy golden with a one finger fluffy white head and mild carbonation. Spotty lace anda film of retention.

S - Hoppy with grass and lemon. Canteloupe skin? Hay, banana, chamomile. Spritzy? Nice and hoppy.

T - Lemon, hops, grass, hay, tea, chamomile. Pretty cool.

M - Very effervescent with a medium body and a dry finish with lemon.

O/D - A little too spritzy but pretty good otherwise. Enjoyed it, but probably couldn't have another.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2012 07:43:04 | More by tbeckett

Daniellobo

District of Columbia

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

A nice historic take on the saison style

Presentation: 750 ml corked and caged green glass bottle. Brown and burgundy label resembling embroidery with golden touches, name and Roman looking coin symbol in the front seem to have been introduced for the US import (Cervesia turns into Posca Rustica on this side of the Atlantic), back label offers a good paragraph on the general characteristics of the brew, and in particular the historic background. Displays date of bottling (2011) on the trunk of the cork, and 8% Alc. by Vol. Poured into a tulip glass.

A - Hazy pale gold color with a nice frothy head, medium retention and some lacing.

S - Spicy nose, light yeast with a sweet touch.

T - Yeasty, nice touch of spices, a bit grassy with a touch of citrus.

M - Medium-light body, medium carbonation, and a fairly smooth flow...

O - Nice quaff without much to make it too memorable.

Notes: Nicer on my palate than the standard Dupont (Sure, nothing to do with it) but while pleasing not too memorable. The spicy character is not prominent or particular (yet?) and maybe the historic touch would be a nice incentive to share with someone keen on that topic.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2011 02:30:03 | More by Daniellobo

metter98

New York

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

On-tap at Mugs Alehouse, Brooklyn, NY

A: The beer is slightly hazy dark golden yellow in color. It poured with a small patch of bubbles on the surface and a thin ring of bubbles around the edge of the glass; these never completely faded away.
S: There are moderately strong aromas of herbs and spices in the nose.
T: The taste is similar to the smell and has flavors of herbs and spices.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation. There is a hint of dryness in the finish.
O: The beer is very easy to drink considering all of the herbs and spices in the taste.

Serving type: on-tap

12-04-2011 14:17:04 | More by metter98

Glibber

Idaho

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

Great straw color with a very creamy white head with temporary lacing that does not stick too long- looking like a nice Belgian Saison. Light aroma with wheat and spices. Very light and refreshing taste. To me it taste like a tangy saison. I really liked this beer and would love to drink more.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2012 00:05:02 | More by Glibber

BEERchitect

Kentucky

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

No hops, what the...? But with certain complexity and balance from its charming yeast character and then complemented with an array of herbs and spices, the beer doesn't need 'em.

The invitation to dive right into the glass starts with it's glowing bright gold appearance that edges toward the honey-straw side. The mild haze casts a slightly diffused character through the center. Its lively carbonation builds a fluffy white head that retains gracefully despite any help from absence hops. The beer also reminds me why the stick foam left on the glass as Belgian lace.

Boastful aromas never miss the hops as the yeast dictates the aromatic balance. Delicate tea-like herbs, the light pungency of grass, and a bouquet of hibiscus, chamomile, clove, and a dash of cinnamon attests to the complements of yeasty phenols and additions to the brew kettle. Backed by a sweeter scent of baking wheat breads and confectioner's sugar, the malts pull the anxious spices into harmony.

Much of the same manifests in taste, but perhaps in reverse order. The powdery sweetness of pilsner and wheat grist prime the palate with a softer almost-cotton candy-like sweetness that lifts as the spices and fruit take hold. A light must of aged woods usher in a mid palate of cider, white grape, apple, and cranberry with plump juicy taste and pleasant acidity. A late palate of spices lead by clove and rose hips develops into an earthy straw-like bitterness to close the session. Even without the smooth bitterness of hops, the beer avoids harsh bite, yet complements with a still bitter balance.

Spritzy carbonation gives a texture similar to sparkling wine except with the understated heft of wheaty malt. The acidic carbonation easily pulls the malt from the mouth and allows for a quick finish of peppercorn, light herbal bitterness, and alcoholic warmth. Surprisingly low in astringency, the rustic ale closes with an aftertaste of rose and chamomile.

I'm quite surprised of how I didn't miss the hops hardly at all. Where usual saisons celebrate hop character that ranges from medium to bold with earthen spice and resolute bitterness, this one achieves everything that the style should with a superior balance from yeast. Its a fantastic beer that's a testament to the quality to be expected from Dupont.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2012 17:30:21 | More by BEERchitect

Jmamay22

New York

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

Pours a clear straw colored yellow with a thin white head. Smells of Belgian yeast with a distinct apple and pear aroma. Hints of white pepper and herbal scents as well.

Tastes of candied Belgian sugar with the yeast expectedly playing a large and complex role. Lots of tart apple with a spicy pepper finish that is bone dry. Very pleasant all around as a very herbal saison. The mouthfeel is typically Belgian with a very zesty and effervescent feel.

It is worth noting that despite the history explained on the bottle of the beer it looks to me that it is misrepresented as ancient herbed ale and would be better classified as a saison or Belgian strong pale ale.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 18:57:13 | More by Jmamay22

CanuckRover

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev -2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours orange/amber. Nice fluffy white head, medium density. Spiderweb lacings.

Fruit and yeast in the aroma. Loads of pear, with a bit of cider. Peppy spice, almost lemongrass. Really nice.

It's spice up front, but mostly from dusty Belgian yeast. It's actually kind of tough to get past the yeast, which is a bit of a shame because there are some really nice malt flavours here. True to the aroma, pear and apple flavour poke through the spice here and there.

This is a really nice beer. Complex, with dominant spicing and a yeast that gives it a farmhouse cider profile. Great stuff.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 17:38:42 | More by CanuckRover

Hopswagger

Oklahoma

4.01/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

P: A shiny copper orange with a vivacious tornado spinning in the middle of the glass. Topped with a creamy layer of French vanilla colored head that hangs out for a while. Delicate clingy lacing cascaded along the edges.

S: Green tea tannins, lemongrass, slight skunk aroma, peppery spice, Belgian yeast and burnt sugar. Phenolic presence with subtle bubble gum, cherry syrup and fruit rollups.

T/M: Herbal infused light fruit cup syrup. Spiced rum soaked apples, flower petals, fresh grass, lime, yellow pear and hard cherry candy. A sugar dosed saison similarity. Moderate body that finishes dry and somewhat chalky. Lingering spiced alcohol.

O: An interesting brew for sure. Complex and well blended. I have to say the tornado effect was the coolest thing I have ever since pouring a beer. I love the chance to try ancient interpretations of past beers. This was a real treat. Proost!!

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 23:51:46 | More by Hopswagger

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

If I recall what I was told, this is one of those: "Oh we found a recipe at an archaelogical site somewhere."

Pours a clouded orange gold. Nice off white head. Citrus nose. Flavor is smooth and citrusy. Did I say smooth? Hopefully I did. Lasting flavor. Yet again, you see the skill of Dupont through this beer. Nicely done.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2010 02:40:23 | More by RblWthACoz

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

750mL into snifter. split 3-ways.

A: pretty clear blond body. bright white head. retention is good, lacing not so much.

S: earthy hoppy aroma. even smells dry. fruity cantaloupe.

T: rosemary? definitely some juniper berries. definitely fruity. sweet and sugary. finish is a tang sweet and then gets a bit dry.

M: carbonation is full and vibrant.

D: definitely reminiscent of their saison, tasty and refreshing. worth picking up if you can find it.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2012 01:27:19 | More by Jimmys

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml bottle received via Growling at the Moon from jmarsh123. Corked and caged. Thanks Jeremy!

Beer tried to follow the cork out, but I was too quick for it, haha! Poured into a DFH snifter with a 2" eggshell head, over the completely cloudy golden amber brew. Frothy head lasts forever, with plentiful chunky lace. Aroma is tart and yeasty.

Taste begins lightly sweet, with spices and tart interplay in the center, and a lightly earthy but crisp and clean close. A bit of honey sweetness in the aftertaste. Mouthfeel is soft but lightly prickly over the tongue, and drinkability is good. Easily the best gruit I've had.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2012 23:30:27 | More by ppoitras

KMcG

Virginia

4.05/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours with a light and fluffy white head that is about 2 fingers high in a tulip shaped glass. The head lasts for about 2 minutes then fades to a lace topping the ale with coarser lacing around the edge.  The color is a hazy straw and carbonation effervescence is visble. 

The smell is strongly funked with fruit notes of lemon and cantaloupe. The funk is like a damp barn and there is a bit of skunky edge, but a bit more herbal and earthy. 

The taste is masked by some really explosive effervescence.  It starts with some pale sweet grains and fruity esters.   There elements of herbs, coriander, and Belgian yeasts.  It ends bready and dry. 

The mouthfeel is intense like a champagne. A little thin, alcohol barely noticeable, and nice pleasant aftertaste. 

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2012 23:18:43 | More by KMcG

jrenihan

Ontario (Canada)

4.05/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beer is golden and slightly cloudy. Moderately-sized white head.

Green grape and other light fruit in the nose. Lemon. Belgian yeast. Slightly herbal. Some spices. Quite a bright scent. Nice.

Yeast, light fruit and spices are all readily present on drinking the beer. Green grape. banana, lemon, white pepper and coriander. On the sweet side, with the sweetness particularly notable in the finish. Grassy and bready.

Medium bodied, moderately carbonated. Sweetness dries the mouth a bit, Smooth.

Overall, good. I don't have much experience with gruit, but this doesn't strike me as wildly different from the saisons Dupont makes.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 22:15:12 | More by jrenihan

wl0307

United Kingdom (England)

4.08/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Coming in a 750ml green champagne bottle, corked and caged. BB 07/2006 and the cork marks "2.004", supposedly the bottling year? Served lightly chilled in a broad-rimmed goblet.

A: slightly hazy, dark orangey golden or honeyish hue; the white beer head forms slowly, but retains its tight, cottony-foamy texture brilliantly; carbonation is quite lively, full of tiny bubbles~~
S: interesting combo. of sweet pilsner+caramel malts and tart fruity edges of apricot+lemon+green apple; the funky farmhouse yeastiness typical of Saison is quite understated here, but still makes a healthy contribution to the overall balance; a lovely flow of spices (white pepper etc.) as in lots of Belgian pale ales sustains with dried-grassy hops at the back (a bit like Saaz). Pleasant, but not terribly complex.
T: creamy-textured, semi-sour sweet and caramely maltiness, lemony+apple-ish fruitiness, and compelling dryish/woody, coriander-spicy, and slightly damp yeastiness all intertwine beautifully... the palate becomes drier at the back, where a residual taste of hops, a mild wheatish sweet aftertaste, and a little lemon-grass aroma sustains, before the quiet undercurrent of warming alc. creeps down the throat and rounds off the palate with a satisfying, rounded finishing feel.
M&D: creamy-soft on the mouthfeel, it seems the carbonation in the bottle-conditioning process really has transformed to be really subtle and soft, and makes this beer smoother than it would've been. The overall balance manifests itself in the ratio b/w hops, spices, and malts on the palate, but the down-side of this is lacking more complexity or an exciting theme for it to stand out. That said, I like this balanced beer, be it a Saison, Belgian Pale Ale, or something of a cross in between... a session one for me.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2006 19:49:57 | More by wl0307

StaveHooks

Oklahoma

4.08/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

750ml served in a Duvel tulip.

A - Pours a hazy burnt orange with 3 fingers of white head that has excellent retention. The head forms a nice cap and collar and never dissolves.

S - Ground dried grain, very earthy grassiness, black and green pepper corns, cloves, apples, peaches, apricots, and banana esters. Soured cantaloupe really comes out on the second pour.

T - More herbal than the nose, very spicy, concentrated floral flavors, it's hard to pick out what spices you're tasting. Good dose of melon and stone fruit, especially apricots mesh with a heavy malty base while herbal bitterness balances out and keeps things semi dry.

M - Aggressive stingy carbonation at first but mellows out and turns creamy. Heavier body but the carbonation helps lighten it up.

Not a common style of beer but this is one of the best I've had. Awesome yeast and a hefty malt base. The herbs and spices work very well and aren't overdone. It's a challenge to pick out what you're tasting. This would go great with smoked meats.
A well crafted beer. Worth seeking out if you're into interested in the style.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 23:16:44 | More by StaveHooks

TMoney2591

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served in a Gale Sayers shaker pint glass.

This may be the first label I've ever seen with not only an historical anecdote, but a footnoted one! Nice... Anyway, this stuff pours a hazy straw topped by over a finger off slightly dirty white foam. The nose comprises flowers, honey, cream cheese, ginger, light clove, nutmeg, peach, wheat, light cardamom, light lemon zest, and the slightest kiss of mild Belgian funk. The taste hols notes of honey, ginger, cardamom, light orange zest, flowers, clove, white grapes, banana, light watermelon, nutmeg, light maple syrup, and cracked wheat. The body is a hefty light, with a light moderate carbonation and a grainy feel. Overall, this thing seems all over the place, but somehow comes back to one central pivot-point: a sort of saison-gruit, combining the best characteristics of both styles. A very pleasant experience, indeed.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2011 04:10:11 | More by TMoney2591

51mmz0rz

New Jersey

4.1/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 750mL bottle into a Tripel Karmeliet tulip. Corked marked 2.011

A: Translucent dark straw color with a large beige head. Carbonation is prevalent streaming up the sides of the glass.

S: Light skunkyness combined with fruity Belgian yeast characteristics.

T: Tastes mostly light a light belgian ale. Nothing wrong with that, but I am having a hard time detecting the additional spices. A slight bit of acidity in the finish.

M: Highly carbonated, seems to go well with the style.

O: A highly drinkable Belgian golden style ale

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2012 04:31:49 | More by 51mmz0rz

peabody

Kentucky

4.1/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pours out a really clear yellow with lots and lots of bubbles that continue eminating from the bottom of the glass. Nice lacing here also.
Elmers glue at first then as it warms the belgian spices come through. Very peppery and sharp to the nose. That belgian yeast is really strong here. Not a lot of fruit smells though.
Taste is sweet and fruity like pears or dates. Then the belgian yeast shines through and the lemon pledge follows right behind.
Mouthfeel is nothing but CLEAN. Wonderfull effervescence and non-stickyness in a thirst quenching light belgian concoction.
Overall this is a really clean and refreshing drink. At 12.95 a bottle I will be getting this again.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2013 23:30:52 | More by peabody

Dope

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: A cloudy golden pour with a nice bubbly white head. Lacing is good and so is the retention.

S: Pepper, herbs and orange. Honey. A little grass. Sometimes get an odd little whiff of something funky.

T: Very interesting. Honey and oranges for sure. Lots of peppery spices that I can't quite identify accurately. Some herbal notes (including grass) but doesn't seem to be from herbal hops. Very interesting, wish I knew what was in this so I could identify the tastes better.

M: Surprisingly light despite the ABV, otherwise quite smooth with just a tingle from the spices. Almost no bitterness at all.

O: Very unusual beer, I'm honestly still not sure what to think. It tastes kinda like a saison with an overload of herbs and spices but minimal hops. It's quite delicious though, that's all I know!

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2011 04:53:48 | More by Dope

Jwale73

Rhode Island

4.13/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750ml corked and caged bottle served at 48 degrees in my ST tulip. Pours a translucent orange-gold with a rocky, three inch bright white head. Head gradually recedes into a solid quarter inch cap leaving textured clumps of lacing in its wake. Copious tiny bubbles are present effervescing in solution. Nose is earthy/herbal with a trace of skunk, followed by a light floral character and a suggestion of spice towards the finish. Taste is bright and citrusy at the start. The middle expresses a pleasant, light, toasted malt character that quick yields to a light, spicy character that ties the flavor profile together - coriander, citrus rind and perhaps a trace of candi sugar. Mouthfeel is light-medium with a carbonation that is quite prickly without being overly gassy. There's a residual tingle and a slight astringency that lingers across the palette between quaffs. Another exceptional beer from Brasserie Dupont. Definitely a bit cleaner than a traditional farmhouse; however, not at all what I tend to expect from an Herbed/Spiced beer. A bright and complex beer that is pleasantly quaffable with a well-hidden abv. Well worth your time if the opportunity presents.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2011 01:02:15 | More by Jwale73

peensteen

Ontario (Canada)

4.14/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Hazy blonde-orange colour, 1.5 fingers of white head with som elace as well. Smell is yeasty with a lot of spices in there as well, fruity with lots of banana and apple, light alcohol present, mild funk with lemon and citrus notes also. Taste is yeasty up front with a bit of a tangy funk to it as well, fruity citrus, lemon, green apple, spicy and dry at first before a moderately sweet finish, floral and earthy mid palate to finish. Medium high carbonation, medium creamy body. I really enjoyed this, just a pleasure to drink and nicely aromatic as well as flavourful, prefered this to the saison.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 13:52:55 | More by peensteen

brendan13

Australia

4.15/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Poured from the 750ml corked and caged bottle into a tulip glass a hazy orange colour with a few centimetres of head that hangs around for a while falling away slowly leaving thick lacing.
S - Spicy yeast phenols with a fair amount of light fruity notes such as pear, melon and sweet grapes. A hint of pale malt.
T - Powdery belgain yeast comes through but is balanced nicely by a slightly sweet pale malt quality along with the fruitiness.
M - Light to medium bodied, moderate carbonation, smooth mouthfeel.
D - The 8%ABV is deceptive. Full of flavour with nothing being over the top or out of proportion.
Something I'll be buying more of indeed.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2009 12:07:34 | More by brendan13

Halcyondays

California

4.15/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at Beachwood BBQ,

A: Pours a hazy goldenrod with a full soft white head. Good retention and lace.

S: Yeasty with a lot of herbs which are hard to place. Perfumy and intoxicating.

T: Estery for sure, lots of orange and lemon. Light sage like notes. Flowery, honeysuckle, but as with the nose a hard beer to describe in words, but it clearly tastes good.

M: Medium-bodied, soft carbonation, very smooth, no hint of the 8%.

O: A fun beer to delve into. This is what I expect from Dupont, exciting and thought provoking saison based beers.

Serving type: on-tap

11-05-2011 04:30:21 | More by Halcyondays

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle picked up at Whole Foods P Street in DC a few months back. Served in a Mikasa tulip.

Pours a semi-hazed very light golden color with a nice white head that fades somewhat quickly into a thin cap throughout. The nose brings forward some wheat and a bit of light spice. Slight clove character. Flavor has a good dosing of wheat and grain plus moderate spice. Smooth and slightly chewy with moderate carbonation. Dry, fairly-bitter finish. Quite nice.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2011 21:35:01 | More by Thorpe429

wisrarebeer

Wisconsin

4.15/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

To my taste this was definitely more of a saison than a gruit.

A: cloudy, off-white/amber color, dense creamy head
S: full nose, earthy, spicy, yeasty, traditional saison
T; saison style with strong malt backbone and noticeable EtOH, heavier, richer saison with touch of cloyingness in finish
M: good and highly drinkable, but not as balanced and thirst quenching as other Dupont Saisons

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2012 15:33:54 | More by wisrarebeer