Day 600: Dupont Pils

Does it seem crazy to anyone else that we've been at this for 600 days? That sounds like a long time, but it certainly doesn't feel like a long time. What feels like forever is today--although that may be due to working on budgets for six hours today. Add that to the seven hours I spent on them yesterday and the full day of budgets tomorrow, and I'm pretty sure that adds up to 600 days of budgeting. I'm certain that I'll see columns of numbers floating by in my sleep tonight.

Instead of flashing back to all day sessions of number crunching, let's talk Belgium and beer.

Let's start with Brugge. If I ever go back (and god knows I'm ready to leave next week), we're cycling on this thing. I call dibs on the front seat!

The canals in Brugge are beautiful as is the architecture...

Also important to note: The dogs are very advanced. This one was running a market table that sold beer-themed candles and glassware. You would think not having thumbs on your paws would be a hindrance to collecting change. Evidently it's not.

This is the tomb of the Duchesse de Bourgogne, namesake of one of my all-time favorite beers.

Now for the beer.  This is the Dupont Redor Pils and it was my tasty reward on Day 5 of the Beercycling trip and it was enjoyed on the back patio of Hotel Cordoeanier prior to to going out to explore Brugge.

As you can see from the photograph, it poured a slightly hazy pale yellow with a fluffy white head. It had that distinct pils smell...sharp but a little buttery. Or at least that's what I think pils smells like. The flavor was crisp, herbal and refreshing with just a mild hop to it.
 

Interesting note about Hotel Cordoeanier in Brugge: It's a great hotel with a great bar attached, the Rose Red. It has a great beer list. Where does the name come from? Rose Red by Stephen King--a television miniseries with a story involving a cavernous Seattle mansion called Rose Red, which is investigated by parapsychologist Dr. Joyce Reardon and a team of psychics. 

I'm glad I figured that out after my stay there...

Beer stats
Style: Czech pilsner
ABV: 5%
IBUs: Unknown
Rating: Good

Previously reviewed from Brasserie Dupont
His review of Avec Les Bon Voeux, a holiday offering
My review of Saison Dupont

Beer 145: Saison Dupont

Oh, I'm bringing sexy back alright.  If mouth-breathing is sexy.  It's day four and I'm still sick as a dog.  Woof.  Actual drugs aren't working so I'm resorting to home remedies.  Gargling with salt water, hot and sour soup, copious amount of Vitamin C and a hot toddy before.  At the very least I'll taste my dinner and go to bed tipsy.  I suppose I'll take what I can get.

Since my smell and taste are still are sorts of jacked up, I'm opting for a known beer tonight.  Saison Dupont.  

Saison Dupont is my go to farmhouse ale.  It pours a golden amber hue with a full white head.  It's smell is yeast and a grassy earthiness.  The taste is a little funky, full of citrus and spiciness.  It finishes with a solid bite.  It also has a dry finish which makes it quite drinkable.  

Given my affinity for Saison Dupont throughout recent years, I'd be remiss not to add it to my Top 25.  Cheers!

p.s.  I totally forgot to take a picture but now my beer is gone...sorry.

Braise the Roof! Christ, Writing these Puns is Hard.

Beer #32 Avec Les Bons Voeux/ Brasserie Dupont, Tourpes, Belgium
Kept with the cooking theme tonight.  Two dinners in a row that didn't come in a bag or box!  Let's just say that it involved Dijon braised Brussels sprouts.  Awww yeah.  I figured, if we're breaking out a Belgian beer tonight, might as well stick with the theme, right?  'Braised' is one of those cooking terms that instantly sounds like you're a much better cook than you really are.  Can't wait to braise my cereal tomorrow morning.  Don't hate.

All five of you reading this are probably thinking, "Boy, Gary likes saisons.  I should try one."  Great idea, and if you could only pick one saison ever, I would highly recommend you choose wisely and pick Saison Dupont, the standard bearer for this type of beer.  Seeing how I've had many Saison Duponts in my time, I thought I'd be adventurous and try the Avec Les Bons Vouex (French for 'good wishes'), which is Brasserie Dupont's holiday offering.  I'm familiar with holiday beers being heavy and dark, with whatever forced or artificial flavors people assume Christmas tastes like.  Not this one.

It maintains a typical saison profile - citrus, bread, a hint of sour, and a cloudy, yellow color.  However, this seasonal packs a punch - 9.5% ABV vs. 6.5% ABV for the traditional version - and adds in a nice spice taste; clove with a peppery finish.  Really a great beer all around, so don't wait to give this one a shot, as I imagine it will be gone from shelves/taps as we move through winter towards spring.  Remind me to break this one back out for some Christmas in July.

Fun note: Marci and I were both going to drink this and the regular Saison Dupont tonight and compare and contrast.  Until our bottle of Saison Dupont completely disappeared from the fridge, that is.  I'm thinking one of the dogs probably took it, thus making a comparison quite difficult.  Jerks.

Who, me?

Thing to Think About Today:
Been listening to The National frequently these days.  Maybe the lead singer's voice reminds me a bit of Crash Test Dummies, a classic musical memory from freshman year of college.  I have no doubt at some point Crash Test Dummies will be your thing to think about this year, but until then, I'll leave you with the 2012 version.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpNA2XB4PB8

Added bonus:
Been growing a beard since before Christmas, so I now look totally like the lead singer.  Despite the fact that I have dark brown hair, and I don't do heroin so I don't weigh 125 lbs.  And my hair line isn't receding.  But besides that, this guy and I could be twins!