Saison Dupont

This 6.5% ABV saison is brewed by the Brasserie Dupont in Tourpes, Belgium.  Saison is a Belgian farmhouse-style ale that was developed in the days before refrigeration to be brewed in the winter and consumed in the summer.  It thus must be hardy enough to last until summer, but still drink refreshing.

The beer pours a hazy yellow golden in color, with a slight tint of orange.  There is a large, billowing head of white fizzy foam.  The aroma is grain, straw, grass, lemony fruit and a bit of barnyard and yeast.  The taste follows the aroma, with just enough dry bitterness on the finish to act as a counterpart to the tartness.  This is a well-balanced, tasty, delicious and refreshing beer.  Too many saisons are unbalanced and overwhelmed by their yeast for my taste, this one is a gold standard.