Bomber of the Month: January
Brassiere Dupont Foret Blanche
By: André DiMattia
Published: 1/12/2012
Regular Price: $10.99
Sale Price: $8.99
Sale End: 1/31/2012
ABV: 5.5
The Dupont Brewery or Brasserie Dupont is a much respected and highly regarded producer of varying styles of rustic Belgian Farmhouse beers. The current brewery stands on the grounds of a working farm, Moinette, and is said to have started as far back as 1759. Their multiple yeast strains have been utilized for decades and are now a thing of legend in the brewing world. The historical convictions of their particular style of brewing and the distinct equipment allows for each of the Dupont beers to be traced back to a particular house “Style”.
Modern brewers have fallen in love with the flagship beer of Dupont, the Saison Dupont, and have gone to great lengths to replicate the beer by cultivating copies of the breweries multiple yeast strains. There seems to be a bit of magic in this brewery as their beers bellow with honesty and a rounded rustic quality that is anything but typical. Even with the long history behind the Dupont brewery, there has been a recent movement to dabble in the exploration of new styles.
The first of these new beers is the wonderful Foret Blanche. This is a softer, more gentle sister beer to the all Organic Foret Saison. Foret Blanche shares a very basic principal of being created from the source of 100% certified Organic ingredients. The difference comes from the fact that the beer is actually a loose elaboration on the well-known Belgian Wit Bier style. Wheat adds texture and works nicely on top of the flavors that Belgian Yeasts give, Foret Blanche is one step ahead as it has less in common with the sweet orange tones of Hoegaarden and more to do with the wild and somewhat funky flavors that can only come from being brewed in the open air of an active farm.
On to the Tasting Notes:
Foret Blanche pops with a carbonation that is not too far off from the appearance of the clouds above Belgium. Frothy and firm, the carbonation is active and quickly engulfs the entire empty glass. The origin from where the beer was born shows it’s self by way of the aroma of Dupont’s distinct yeast. The bready, tropical and downright lovely farmhouse “style” is there from the start. More citrus aromas begin to emerge and a somewhat husky, raw grain like comparison follows. Zippy and zesty, the beer is refreshing even before the first sip.
Amazing texture on the palate, the carbonation is almost creamy as it coats the tongue. The sharp prickle from the pepper yeasts and the wheat grain converge the body of the beer into a precise and dry finish. The beer is filled with a rustic honesty as the flavors show themselves without being out of balance. Lemon rind, poached spiced pears, papaya, hay, toasted crackers and cornhusks are as complex in their layering as they are delicious with their approach. The beer is unbelievably refreshing and there is a very distinct heady comparison that is similar to smelling rainwater on wet rocks. This is the beer that makes one feel as if they awoke from an afternoon nap, filled with gratification of life and simply happy to be present. Magic.
Food Pairing:
Wit Biers are notorious food beers as their body and delicate finish gives them a head start for seafood and lighter foods. Foret has a distinct wild character that can be taken further than what one might think. Shellfish, prawns, snapper and even oysters would be fulfilling, as their sea salt flavors would only add to the beers zesty refreshment. Cheeses as rich as triple crèmes, as bold as wash rinds and as powerful as blues could all be met by the beer’s rustic flavors and be lifted from the palate by it’s carbonation. Varying leafy greens would be another great food combo; kale, chard and even cabbage might all have their applications for the beer to work with. A fun beer to drink with food as it is subtle enough not to detract and yet distinct enough to patch any varying flavors.
The beers from Dupont are always favored by a wide range of people; hop lovers, stout enthusiasts, cider drinkers, mead celebrators and even a large amount of wine sippers have fallen for the distinct nature found in all of Brassiere Dupont’s beers. The Foret Blanche is another balanced beer filled with amazing subtle tones that has quickly become an admirable beverage, we only hope it will be made year round. Another classic.