Dupont Avec les Bons Voeux

Brewed by Brasserie Dupont
Style: Saison
Tourpes-Leuze, Belgium

Gorgeous whipped cream head and a very aromatic character which leaps up from the snifter. Intriguing notes of powdered wasabi, grains of paradise, cardamom, white pepper and a bit of anise seed. Also of note is the famed Dupont house yeast strain which offers another layer of complexity with interesting esters and a solid earthiness. Fruity with some slight citrus. Alcohol level has a slight hint of fusel, but for the style and the level – nothing to be alarmed about. Typically I like my Saisons more subtle and this certainly packs more of a pop, but still retains the refreshing character, crisp spiced notes and balanced complexity that make this a hallmark of its class.

750, about a year old at this point. Still very fresh and pert in its flavors, with a big golden body and huge head/lacing. The winter spices intended to differentiate this from the standard Dupont saison are verrrrry subtle - a hint of cardamom, some vanilla, a very faint sour apple. Basically it’s a fine and distinct saison that’s as good during this brutal heat as it is during the winter. Kudos!

Cloudy yellow with a small white head. Complex aroma with herbs (rosemary and sage), orange peel, mango and grassy hops. Dry bready malt flavur with spices and hops, and some pumpkin-like nuttiness. Fruity notes of peach and pineapple. Very herbal and quite bitter finish. Did I mention complex? Make sure you get a bottle to yourself to fully appreciate it!

Ah what a nice bottle. Soft, effervescent mouthfeel is delightful. Big, hoppy and dry. Tastes better and better with every sip and proves itself as an exceptional brew.

Sampled at Chris_O’s Shindig; Aug. 2007: Clody body, lemony, slightly grassy aroma; some dusty yeast; fruity pear notes; slight bodied; slightly astringent finish; dry. Good.

Bottle at the Chris_o shindig. Very pale gold, nice white airy foam cap. Peppermint, golden raisin, a bit of leather and acid. A fresh and intreiging aroma.. Delicate fresh fruit esters--unbelievably delicate for the strength. Just a bit of menthol in the finish. Really impressive beer.

On tap @ Buckeye Beer Engine: Pours a clear gold with a white head. Aroma, funky with some sour notes. Flavor, tart with some lemon, and some funk. A dry yeasty finish. Pretty solid.

Bottle, Chris_o shindig. Cloudy yellow straw, thin white head. Quite acetic, sweet with alcohol present. Sherberty yeasty. Banana and something else that I couldn’t put my finger on. Quite complex. Some yeast, and some fruityness. Quite lively with some dusty sweet finish.