Saison Dupont Review
If you were to look up "Saison" in the dictionary, there would be one picture, and one picture alone to go along with the definition... and that would be a picture of Saison Dupont Vieille Provision... or just Saison Dupont as it's called for the most part. This is the prototype for what a modern day Belgian Saison should and does taste like. For those not familiar with Saisons, they were historically brewed in Belgium during the spring for farm workers to quench their thirst. Because they were brewed before refrigeration this meant they were fermented at higher temperatures, causing a slight funk in the beer. These beers were traditionally low alcohol and dry... to this day, a good Saison remains dry, but now often ranges up to 8% abv. As we mentioned, this is the standard bearer for modern Saisons so let's see what a Saison should be:
Appearance: Saison Dupont pours a hazy straw color with a gigantic head that never goes away. As you drink it, the head persists unless you drink the head itself. It's a thing of beauty, this beer, especially the second time you have it and after as you know how good it's going to be.
Smell: There is a yeast spiciness to Saison Dupont with a bit of clove at the end. It has some great wheat tones in the smell, which is interesting because, as far as we know, there is no wheat in this beer. Must be the yeast! Saison is a very yeast forward style with a simple grain bill. You can also get a little bit of noble hop aroma in there. This beer just smells like summer to us, so light smelling yet so much going on. This would be our official summer beer if it wasn't for the $10 / 750ml bottle price tag.
Taste: Perfect for a Saison! Dry and amazing flavor. Effervescent wheat and dry yeast spice are the first things to hit. It has malt, but in a different way completely. Think the best wheat beer you've ever had, then better. The slightest hint of almost tartness lingers at the end. If you leave it on your tongue you get some orange for a little bit. It's sweet, but it's all in your perception as this is a dry beer. This is what a Saison is supposed to be... can any of the American Craft Brewed Saisons hold up? There are definitely some interesting interpretations out there!
