Dupont Avec les Bons Voeux

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

sampled at the Kulminator on tap: Floral and earthy aroma reminiscent of brett spring forth from this beautifully cloudy beer. It poured with 2 fingers of head which laced beautifully down the side of the glass. Flavor is of a summer afternoon. Earthy hops, floral notes, cereal malt, all balance out with harmony. Mouth feel is light and bubbly, really complements the flavors and the feelings of a summer day.

Popped open with the loudest cork ever from a beer. Poured light with some orangish hints and a pretty big white head. Aroma of some citrus, spice-maybe some pepper, and some funkiness. Flavor was light, citrusy. Palate was incredible. Although a little alcohol was noticable this not sweet at all. I would like to have this with some chicken or turkey.

On tap Brick Store/Decatur. A hazed golden orange pour with a creamy white head. Nose is complex in that I’m not sure if it corriander of ginger is the main spice that I pick up. Huge fruity (almost bannana) flavor followed by a bitterness that leans to the tart side. Strong hint of abv but not overpowering. Carbonation and mouthfeel are very solid. Nothing at all bad about this beer. As it warms the corriander really comes to the front.

Great-looking orange hue with a lofty head and nice lace. Inviting bouquet of aromas -- yeast and spice. Mouthfeel was tingly, but the carbonation wasn’t as lively as most beers from this mold. Slight sweetness blended with a chewy yeastiness. Mild bitterness balanced things out well, and hung out behind some bold spices -- pepper, coriander, clove. Other notes of citrus (lemon and orange rind). Pleasant beer.

2002 vintage: Explosive cork removal. Faded yellow body with some haze. Climbing white head from the surging carbonation. Impeccable lacework. Luxurious aroma of buttercup, peppery hops, and perfumey esters. Perfect level of airiness and vibrant yeast complement the pale malts and sugared white grapes. Light swirls unleash sweet cream, coconut, and coarseness from the hops. Seductively creamy, dense, yet expansive, carbonation. Moderate sweetness from the start with a dessert apple, white grape, glazed malt medley. Fresh flowers soften the body and reduce the sweetness while the hallmark Dupont yeast goes to work and continually films the palate while adding some cakelike thickness. Remarkably restrained fruity esters, apple acidity, and vivacious Styrians try to expunge the alcohol, but the alcohol eventually wins and warms the belly. Leafy hops gradually strut toward the finish alongside muted mustiness and juicy hops. Fluffy, fresh cake moistness (less dry than the regular Dupont) in the finish with a balance of apple skins, flowers, and yeast astringency. Juicy hops and sweet white grapes remain amid herbs and fading pale malts. Only flaw is the (relatively) poorly-hidden alcohol in the flavor. Earth shattering every time.

750 ml bottle on sale at BevMo: Cloudy pale apricot color with a generous fluffy white head. Aroma is lightly fruity, spicy, and floral. Flavor starts fruity with over-ripe orange, a hint of lemon, a little green apple and tropical fruit followed by some yeasty spicyness and a dry bitter finish. Medium body is creamy with lively carbonation.

Pours amber / orange with a small off-white head. The aroma has smooth nectar fruits (mainly nectarines) and light spice. The aroma is subdued compared to many saisons, but what is there is great. Medium body that starts off smooth and finish grainy and crisp with minor carbonation. The flavor starts off with citric and nectar fruits that have a richness, but are somehow dry as well. There is also a grainy spice and it has some abv showing through. The finish is quite peppery. This is an interesting and enjoyable saison. It does not seem as complex as most and the palate is smoother than expected for a saison.

Spicy and robust, moderate Belgian yeast character, subdued alcohol presence