Fantôme Saison - Brasserie Fantôme

Gatch

Massachusetts

4.95/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

"biere artisanale sur lie"
Lot n "a" & "c"
Best before end: "J 13"
I was a bit nervous picking this up because I knew it had been at the store for a long time and was exposed to artificial light all the time. Most likely temperature variations, as well, because it isn't the cleanest or newest store I've been to. But it turned out to be a great bottle.

A: Gorgeous, hazy, bright golden-orange with a massive head. Bright white, foamy, super fine bubbles. The layer of foam moves as one entity around the glass without leaving much lacing. Almost oily. The thick, pillowy head lingers forever. So awesome. Higher than a "5."

S: Explosion of wild yeast, fresh air, bright citrus, cedar, flowers, barn. I honestly picture a bucolic farm in the Belgian countryside when I smell this. So complex and so enticing. I can't take my nose away. As in the appearance, this is higher than a "5."

T: Oh my goodness. Everything in the nose but the citrus is much more pronounced. The yeast really shows itself. Very earthy, barny, fruity. Incredibly effervescent.

M: So damn smooth and so damn tasty. The carbonation is perfect. The finish is absurd! I really want to give this beer a perfect "5" but the yeast and finish can be a bit cloying as the beer warms.

O: It isn't fair comparing beers like this and Dupont's Saison to the American attempts at the style but all is fair in love and beer. The only two Saisons that can come close to this are anything from Dupont and Hill Farmstead. Everything else seems to be a Belgian IPA or while a "good" American Saison, it doesn't even come close. And I've had a lot of American-style Saisons. This is phenomenal, top-class stuff. I would drink this every day if I could. I will most certainly drink this on a summer day in Belgium one day soon.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 03:42:05 | More by Gatch

desint

Belgium

3.25/5  rDev -25.6%

05-24-2013 12:58:47 | More by desint

Muthacack

California

1.89/5  rDev -56.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Poured from a corked bottle with the new label into an Allagash 40cl glass.

A- Nice golden straw color with a bit of haziness and a little less than a finger of head.

S- I smell the funkiness coming through. A barnyard with a few bright citrusy notes slightly coming through.

T- I sampled this with my wife without reading any reviews and she isn't much of a beer drinker and couldn't pinpoint the horrible flavor. After a few sips I could pinpoint the taste to liquid bandaids. It was like a lightbulb went off in my wife's head and she totally agreed with me for once. After checking other reviews I see that other people feel the same way. Its sad to say that I know what a bandaid tastes like because I have chewed my fair share and if I were to make a bandaid inspired beer this would be it.

M- Normal carbonation and a slight slimyness

O- Still not as bad as some beers that I have had. I was still able to finish the bottle. I guess I ate too many bandaids as a kid. If you want to relive your childhood then this is for you.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2013 06:13:38 | More by Muthacack

writerLJBerg

Oregon

4.13/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

750mL from Corvallis Brewing & Supply. Best by July 2013 bottle date.

A: Pours with a noticeable fizz and a corresponding dearth of head a few moments after settling. Hazy golden straw color with thousands of bubbles rising to escape.

N: Can smell the malt and funk from 3 feet away. Lots of lemon zest and some light sugar. There's a grain and wood about this, and I also get some green peppercorn, straw, and horse stable. Maybe some rosemary or sage?

T: Moderate sourness and lots of dough. Has an appreciable tartness of apples and cider with some funk from the fermentation.

M: Light and crisp. Carbonation is prickly without being biting.

O: Beyond expectations as usual. It's all over the place while still being enjoyable to drink. Some of these bottles are ticking time bombs, this one was excellent. I should've bought more when I saw them.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2013 03:01:09 | More by writerLJBerg

MarkIntihar

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +3%

05-22-2013 13:35:24 | More by MarkIntihar

trxxpaxxs

New York

4.24/5  rDev -3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

2012 vintage...

A: Pours a nice cloudy straw yellow with a huge amount of pure white head that takes forever to settle. A rocky layer of bubbles lines the beer, and there is really good lacing as it drinks.

S: The nose is light malt, spice, bitters, and yeast. It smells inviting with citrus and grains.

T: It starts off with a light sweetness and grass. As it moves to the middle the bitters begin to shine as it mixes with some yeast and spice. I get lemon, grass, and yeast. The finish is spicy and drying with lingering bitters.

M: Medium bodied beer. It’s refreshing to start as the beer coats the palate. It’s bright, but yeasty and a touch stinging in the middle. The finish is spice and yeast.

O: Very nice saison. I quite enjoyed this one. I’d love to drink this again.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 16:41:40 | More by trxxpaxxs

sliverX

New York

4/5  rDev -8.5%

05-20-2013 23:36:36 | More by sliverX

ShawnMH

Indiana

4/5  rDev -8.5%

05-19-2013 15:23:29 | More by ShawnMH

drgonzo2k2

California

4.25/5  rDev -2.7%

05-19-2013 14:55:03 | More by drgonzo2k2

Photekut

Azerbaijan

4.25/5  rDev -2.7%

05-19-2013 13:34:33 | More by Photekut

JasonSiedman

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +3%

05-18-2013 23:51:35 | More by JasonSiedman

Rainier

California

1.28/5  rDev -70.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1.5

Whaaa!

Oh my gosh, I did not like the taste at all! Wow, this bottle I had must've been a really bad one... I guess I'm getting what people describe it as "band aid" smell and taste. Wow! I can't believe I spent $14 on this bottle and I have another unopened bottle waiting to be drain poured!

All in all, it looked great, but the rest was just bad. I am really disappointed. Saison Rue disappointed me and this saison disappointed me even more!

Hoping to pay this another visit later on.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 06:43:22 | More by Rainier

Foudebiere

Quebec (Canada)

4.5/5  rDev +3%

05-18-2013 00:16:12 | More by Foudebiere

kjkinsey

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +3%

05-17-2013 19:05:39 | More by kjkinsey

Texasfan549

Texas

4/5  rDev -8.5%

05-15-2013 06:33:30 | More by Texasfan549

GimmeGumballHead

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +8.7%

05-14-2013 18:24:36 | More by GimmeGumballHead

Jordy777

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +3%

05-14-2013 18:14:25 | More by Jordy777

TheRuss9585

Vermont

4.75/5  rDev +8.7%

05-14-2013 00:44:46 | More by TheRuss9585

thezoobrew

New York

4.75/5  rDev +8.7%

05-13-2013 18:31:43 | More by thezoobrew

IPAyForHops

California

2/5  rDev -54.2%

05-13-2013 00:25:13 | More by IPAyForHops

lpayette

Vermont

3.5/5  rDev -19.9%

05-12-2013 20:05:03 | More by lpayette

coldmeat23

Oklahoma

4/5  rDev -8.5%

05-12-2013 15:48:35 | More by coldmeat23

BMMillsy

Florida

1.5/5  rDev -65.7%

05-12-2013 13:34:46 | More by BMMillsy

Danny1217

Florida

4/5  rDev -8.5%

05-12-2013 08:23:54 | More by Danny1217

Honus1

Ohio

1/5  rDev -77.1%

05-12-2013 03:19:49 | More by Honus1