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In a move that some may feel is anti-heritage, Saison Dupont is packaging their flagship into something other than the iconic green glass….
I think that the label looks really good. It has a Croatian football team vibe going for it. Quite eye-catching. I think a green bottle vs can blind taste test might be in order.
I have not had Saison Dupont for some time (past time) and thought that since November was coming in hot here in LA, it would make an excellent choice for our light fall and to compare the gold standard to other Saisons that I could find.
Easily pulled the 2018 emblazoned cork from this 12.7oz bottle. Initial taste is heavily tilted towards the barnyard funk and leathery notes. A tiny bit of crisp unsweetened pear comes through lightly. A silken mouthfeel to this vintage. A bit of wheat bread in the malt. I will have to take a look for the 2019 Avec and for any single-hops to compare.
We may have my first must have beer of 2019. Two Saison giants combining to make a new transatlantic version. I think a blind tasting of this upcoming beer plus the Allagash Saison and Saison Dupont would yield some interesting tasting notes.
The video says it all….
Brasserie Dupont has played around with a dry-hopped version of their Saison but now they are kicking it up a notch and doing the full San Diego with Tomme Arthur.
Side note: The collaborative duo will be at The Phoenix on 3rd Street on the 23rd to pour the new beer. First visit to L.A. for Oliver from Dupont and it was fortuitously scheduled for our L.A. Beer Week.
You really can’t go wrong with Saison Dupont. The traditional saison is a hallmark of the style, their holiday beer is a perfect present for the beer fan and for five years they have been into Dry Hopping. Each year this special offering, brewed in limited quantity, is hopped with a different and usually under the radar hop. This year the hop “Minstrel” from England was the choice. Minstrel is an aroma hop with herbal, orange, spice and berry aromas.
Pick one or two up.
Last month was a little light on the ABV, for June, we are cranking it up a notch. Starting with a dry hopped beer that is not to be missed followed by a pair of collaborations on the darker side. Enjoy!
~LIGHT
Brasserie Dupont/ Cuvee Dry Hopping 2014 6.50% ABV
“Every year Dupont’s Master Brewer, Olivier Dedeycker, makes a special dry-hopped version of the brewery’s world famous Saison Dupont. For 2014, he chose the famous English hop, CHALLENGER, renowned for its balance of bittering and aromatic qualities. Importantly, they were cultivated in Belgium by the farm that supplies Olivier’s Golding hops. Using only hop flowers (no pellets, please), he added them to the late boil and dry hopped in cold maturation. ”
~MEDIUM
AleSmith with Cigar City/ Ramblin’ Rye Brown Ale 8.50% ABV
“Alesmith and Cigar City have once again partnered up for our second coast-2-coast collaborative brew, a delicious rye brown ale.
Worn out and tongue-tied from rhyming countless beer-centric names with “rye,” we knew it was finally time to quit rambling on and figured “Rye bother”…let’s brew. The result is a rich, malty Roggenbier that is riddled with notes of chocolate and biscuit that perfectly compliment the soft spiciness of the rye. Grab a pint and toast to the coasts.
This balanced and complex brew pairs best with smooth cigars and life-long friends.”
~DARK
Unibroue for Trader Joe’s/ Vintage Ale 9.00% ABV
“Unique and limited edition, this Belgian style ale is crafted once a year as a special treat for those of you who appreciate flavorful, bottle-conditioned ale with character. This year’s vintage: a rich, dark and full-bodied ale with a fine and generous coffee-colored, beige foam. It’s ready to enjoy right away and you may also wish to cellar a few bottles. It will evolve interestingly well, developing more complex flavors as the years go by.”
One of my favorite beers from last year was a Belgian dry hopped Saison from the experts in Saison, Dupont. Sadly, that particular beer will not be coming this year because…..”Every year Dupont’s Master Brewer, Olivier Dedeycker, makes a special dry-hopped version of the brewery’s world famous Saison Dupont. This lets him take advantage of different hop varieties each season. For 2014, he chose the famous English hop, CHALLENGER, renowned for its balance of bittering and aromatic qualities. Importantly, they were cultivated in Belgium by the farm that supplies Olivier’s Golding hops. Using only hop flowers (no pellets, please), he added them to the late boil and dry hopped in cold maturation. The result is “a super refreshing Saison with accentuated floral, spice and citrus hop notes.”
I have a feeling this might be one of the top beers of 2014.
How could Saison Dupont get better?
“After 5 years of making Belgians extremely happy with their special seasonal release a dry-hop version of SAISON DUPONT, Vanberg & DeWulf and Brasserie Dupont are now able to make American drinkers equally happy. Saison Dupont Cuvee Dry Hopping 2013 will be available this May only featuring the famous TRISKEL hop varietal from Alsace.
Triskel is bred from the French Strissespalt and English Yeoman hops. Dupont’s master brewer Oliver Dedeycker describes it as “combining the aromatic notes, mainly floral, of Strisselspalt with the fruity character of Yeoman.” The unusual name, Triskel, was apparently inspired by triskelion, the symbol of the Gauls, those beer drinking ancestors of the French, which represents the three elements: Earth, Air and Water.”
Oh, that’s how.