Fantôme Saison - Brasserie Fantôme

ehammond1

California

4.6/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Bottle (2011)

Super Junior Market
San Diego, CA

Hazy orange with a quickly forming, persistent near-white head. This leaves a lot of lacing all the way down the glass. Very pretty.

I absolutely love this beer's aroma. It's about perfect for the style. I can't get enough of it. The level of barnyard/funk/horseblanket is tremendous, invitingly so, but it's complemented incredibly well by bright, vibrant layers of citrus, green apple, and floral notes. Incredible.

The flavor is very similar to the aroma, though the funk and barnyard flavors are hidden until the swallow. Initially, this is full of bright citrus notes along with the green apple and floral hops found in the aroma. It's fantastic.

Medium bodied with high, silky carbonation. Wonderfully drinkable.

If I couldn't take a gueuze with me, this would be my Desert Island Beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 02:58:38 | More by ehammond1

warnerry

Michigan

4.45/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle purchased 8/2010; best by date is not notched

A - Nice pop as the cork is pulled. Pours a clear very pale yellow with fine suspended material. A stream of rising carbonation. One finger of white head doesn't last long and leaves only spots of lacing.

S - Huge presence of apple and pear, mostly sweet, but a faint tartness. There is some yeast funk, but it is very subtle.

T - Taste has the apple and pear from the aroma, plus a bit of lemon and lemon zest. Some earthy funk, but again rather subtle. Finish is dry with slight bitterness. Absolutely no hint of alcohol. Excellent.

M - Light and crisp with some tartness and a clean, dry finish.

O - Nice delicate flavors with no alcohol presence whatsoever. Excellent beer that I could drink everyday, except for the price and availability... But I'll be sure to buy this when I see it.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2012 00:57:52 | More by warnerry

bigfnjoe

Pennsylvania

4.65/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a corked bottle into a Victory tulip. Best before January '13

A- pours a very pale yellow with a two finger white head that quickly dissipates to nothing. Saisonariffic!

S- tons of apple and pear notes come though heavily. Slight tartness to them. Lovely

T- slightly tart apple and pear....extremely flavorful, and just the right amount of tartness. Doesn't overwhelm the palate at all. Perfect

M- body is very light. Perfect for a warm day

O- this is excellent. The alcohol is extremely well-hidden. Another slam dunk from Fantome, but what do you expect?

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2012 00:42:44 | More by bigfnjoe

GONZALOYANNA

Spain

4.13/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml tapped & corked bottle.Oversized glass.Enjoyed on jul´11.Lemon yellow in color.Cloudy with yeast in suspension.White froth.Surprising lasting crown.Foamy spots on sides.Aromas are piney,yeasty,slightly malty with woody hints.Smooth tartar upfront,acid apples & grapefruit hues too.Moderate fresh spicy notes,light buttery.Bitterness & hoppiness not felt hidden by gentle sweet/sourness associated with orangish touch. Medium/light body & high carbonation -pops like champagne when cork is removed-.Citric -lemon & lima- finish.Banana feel on the aftertaste.Very well balanced both flavors & aromas.Perfect pairing: marinade anchovy, green cheeses -Cabrales or Roquefort- or black paella.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2012 16:55:58 | More by GONZALOYANNA

AgentMunky

Alabama

4.3/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 750mL bottle into a St. Bernardus goblet. Best before January 2013. Lot A-C.

A: The first cap/cork combo I've seen. Hazy orange-gold, with a nice frosting of white head. Some bubbles.

S: Rather skunky. (I am starting to develop the common paranoia about green-bottled Belgian beers...for instance, I've yet to have a non-skunked Houblon Chouffe, but on-tap, it's divine.) Other scents in the background remind me of orange peel, but with an astringent quality reminiscent of cleaning solution. Some grain that reminds me of a tripel. Complicated, but often unpleasant.

T: Interesting. Tart, funky, and sour, but oh how it develops on the palate! A long, rolling taste that unravels many different qualities. As time passes, the tartness fades into pleasant apple-y fruit. A very interesting strain of yeast adds zest and character to this excellent saison. While I started out disappointed, the more I drink, the more I understand the beer's appeal. Hard to describe, but pungent and fruity would be my two word attempt. Sweet-sour-floral-funky-citrus-spicy-dry would be one word...sort of. At any rate, a stellar farmhouse ale. Rosewater and tangerine. I can't seem to stop adding information. I'm going to force myself to stop reviewing and simply enjoy the beer, but there's so much more I could say.

M: A bit puckery, but not overly special. Light and appropriate.

O: Excellent. Recommended. That said, for the price ($17) it will be a long, long time before I have another. One of the best saisons I've come across.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2012 05:14:14 | More by AgentMunky

jrenihan

Ontario (Canada)

4.88/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

BB end of January 2013.

Beer is a very cloudy light orange/golden/ A very fizzy and frothy white head dissipates extremely quickly. No lace.

Smell is divine. Huge peach, mango, green apple and lemon scents with a funky, grassy and crisp background. Floral notes. Wow!

Taste is also fantastic. Crisp fruit flavours (green apple, pineapple, peach, mango) with a nice, slightly sour funkiness. The funk has some of the 'horse-blanket' flavour and is rather grassy. The beer occupies some excellent space in between sweet and sour.

Medium bodied, nice moderate carbonation level comprised of tiny bubbles, giving life to the beer but no irritation to the mouth. A bit astringent.

Overall, just outstanding. A killer beer. A real treat to drink. I will be looking for more whenever I can. A total winner!

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2012 19:16:49 | More by jrenihan

orangesol

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this one a few times before. Thanks to whoever brought this one to Imminent Liquidation II

A - Pours slightly hazy burnt orange with a nice one and a half finger tall white head leaving small trails of lace down the glass.

S - Smells of lots of horse blanket funk, citric fruit - I get a lot of lemon - spice and some basement must. The nose of this one is simply intoxicating.

T - Starts off with some quick hints of bright citric acidity quickly being enveloped by the strong barnyard funk and basement must. Once the funk begins to pass some light spice and some fresh cut grass round things out. A touch of booze creeps in as it sits in the glass.

M - Delicate feel with a light body and moderately high carbonation. The combo of fruity and dry really works for me. Not really sour but definitely funky.

O - There is little doubt in my mind that this one is one of the best saisons in the world. It is extremely well balanced and it just plain tastes great. I need to find a few of these for myself one of these days.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2012 01:43:48 | More by orangesol

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

4.93/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

750ml corked and capped bottle poured into tulip 22/3/12

A hazy bright golden yellow with lots of very tiny bubbles popping up from everywhere taking their time to reach the two fingers of bone white foam that falls to a thin film leaving several partial rings of lace

S smells pretty sexy with loads of funky apple and pear, some tropical notes, grass, hay, cereal and a little more funk with faint booze

T some faint vinous notes and peppery spice with just a little earthy wet wood, most of what I smell is still there too, not as much grass and hay but now I'm getting a little citric rind towards the finish, the booze is detectable but just, too say this ones complex would be an understatement

M full for the color and it has a little bitter bite to it, those tiny bubbles are a little prickly in the mouth and some faint heat is my only complaint

O a style I enjoy and a near perfect example of one, I don't think there's such a thing as the "perfect" beer but this guys pretty close

pretty impressive stuff here, I spent quite a while smelling this stuff and loved every sip I took. This is one of the better beers I've ever had and look forward too drinking it again, until then I need to thank chickenm for sending me this one

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2012 18:12:03 | More by wordemupg

zhanson88

Montana

4.2/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a hazy straw color. About 3/4" of fizzy head forms, which has almost no retention. No lacing either. 2.5

Smell: Smells of white grape, pear, and green apple most strongly. Very vinuous in that respect. A bit of mineral comes through as well, and quite a bit of must as well. Not funk. Must. Not the most aromatic, a bit hard to pick out scents, but what is there is good.

Lots of pale fruit scents here as well, and more mineral, and must. Green apples and mineral on the finish. I like it.

Light bodied and a lot of carbonation on the tongue. Very good here. Overall, a good saison. Not as good as I was expecting, but I know there is a fair amount of variation in Fantome bottles, so we'll see how the next bottle turns out.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2012 02:05:51 | More by zhanson88

DrewShal9

Massachusetts

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

A: hazy golden yellow with an ever present thin white head
S: apples, citrus, strawberry, funk, so inviting and pleasant
T: as the nose depicts with a great peachy flavor. So tasty!
M: medium to lighter bodied with a drying to watering tongue left yearning for more. I could drink this all of the time. No hint of alcohol but it goes to your head.
O: Definitely the best saison I've ever had and I want more!

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2012 22:33:34 | More by DrewShal9

argock

Virginia

4/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Poured from a green 750 mL bottle into a Duvel tulip. Best by Jan 2013 notched on side of label. Purchased at Beer Run (Charlottesville, VA) for $14.99.

A: Hazy yellow-orange with 2-finger frothy, foamy white head with good retention and plenty of spotty lacing.

S: The aroma is fruity with a twang of Belgian yeastiness and some milder spices. The pear and green apple qualities are most apparent with the yeast esters contributing an herbal, almost floral note with just a touch of phenolic flair. There are some lemon citrus notes too.

T: The flavor is less power and more subtlety, almost too under the radar. The floral notes are most prominent, with lavender and herbal qualities leading, with citrus and pear notes next. There is an almost-smoky note to the finish for the first few tries. The herbal nature then catches up. The tanginess is reminiscent of a witbier as the citrus notes reinforce this.

M: The feel is dry with active carbonation. There is still a firmly medium body there. This is a great feeling saison.

O: I really enjoyed this beer but for its feel and subtle flavors, but I wish it had a bit more power in the flavor and aroma.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2012 03:43:34 | More by argock

claaark13

Indiana

4.93/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Based on the tap adheared to the cap, I'm guessing this one was sent from mizzouguy. Thanks man. a/c/J/13 on the label, and of course I'm hesitant to even begin theorizing exactly what Dany means by that. Poured into an Ommegang tasting glass. Paired with some Cod cooked in herbs, garlic and lemon.

A - Pours a cloudy yellow/orange with a nice 1/2" foam head. Looks very nice.

S - Some citrus, then an aroma comparable to a freshly sliced strawberry, a little bit of tartness and funk. Lots of fruit.

T - Some Belgian yeast that quickly turns into light citrus, notes of banana, more citrus and a slight amount of funk. Then that aroma note I attributed to strawberries comes out towards the finish. For a moment, it seemed to go towards dryness, but then the mellow flavor continues instead with fruity ending.

M - Light carbonation on the tongue provides for an almost medium mouthfeel. Seems perfect for the style.

O - I can't imagine a better tasting, more refreshing Saison. Balanced, refreshing, perfect. I've had a lot of different Saisons since the last original Fantome has been opened, and now it makes them seem terrible. I would drink this every day. No wonder some people in Belgium are so dedicated to Dany's beers.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2012 00:24:35 | More by claaark13

danedelman

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-straw yellow to orange color very hazy with nice 2 finger head.

S-orange and pepper with a sourness funk to it. get a little horse too. dryness.

T-Orange peel slightly bitter with some cardamom. Then I get a bit of smokiness which I am not fond of here. As it warms it gets fruitier and looses the smokiness. weird.

M-very light bodied and well carbed. doesn't taste like the abv.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2012 18:56:56 | More by danedelman

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

4.48/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance. Pours a hazy, rich yellow-gold with a finger of white head.

Smell. Nice and fruity, apples, pineapple, a little malt, yeast, and some funkyness.

Taste. Tart apples, some bitterness, funky belgian yeast. Pretty nice.

Mouthfeel. Medium body with medium, lively carbonation.

Overall. Nice saison. Tons of great flavour.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2012 01:33:49 | More by Rutager

tjkinate

Texas

4.7/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Best Saison I've ever had! Truly incredible.

A: 2+ fingered white foamy head that settles slowly leaving some lacing in its wake. The beer itself is a cloudy, dull yellow that looks like a tropical fruit juice.

S: Cherries, strawberries, and a bit of funk. Sugary sweet malty backbone blends very well with strong citrus undertones.

T: A slight lemon tartness makes a showing, funk is also far stronger than the smell indicated. Strawberry notes along with the underlying floral character blend seamlessly with the citrus flavors. Hints of spice begin to build as the beer warms, but never overwhelms the other flavors.

M: Medium bodied, highly carbonated, very clean finish.

O: I need another bottle and can't wait to try other offerings from one of my new favorite breweries!

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2012 18:45:41 | More by tjkinate

jimmy82063

Connecticut

4.43/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle poured into a wine glass

A) Nice golden hue with a little frothy head.

S) A bit metallic...phenols coming through.

T) A ton of lemon zest, peppery spiciness...the acidity disapears pretty quickly...man the lemon comes right back.

M) Vey nicely carbonated. I like the champagne mouthfeel!

O) Pretty damn outstanding!

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2012 23:56:11 | More by jimmy82063

TrappistJohnMD

Mississippi

4.33/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours golden into Hennepin glass. One fingered white head and some lacing on side of glass.

Smell is citrus with a little funk and grass. There is also a hint of vanilla.

Taste is tangy lemon. There is some funk in the taste and lots of sourness. Almost no bitterness.

Mouthfeel is smooth and light bodied with mild carbonation.

Overall this is a very nice saison. Hard for me to get but I will be on the lookout for more.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2012 00:58:37 | More by TrappistJohnMD

ColForbinBC

New Jersey

4.35/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750mL bottle, poured into a snifter; split amongst friends

Pours a hazy golden orange with a fluffy white cap. Spider web lacing inside the glass. I poured a little of the yeast into my glass, so I have some big chunks floating around.

The aroma is of tart citrus, barnyard funk, wet hay, graininess, and an aged cheese quality. There is alsosome noticeable aromas from the hops: earthy, floral, and grassy.

The flavor profile follows the nose. Citrus zest with damp hay, flowers, barnyard earthiness, grass, and a powerful burst of some stinky aged cheese.

The feel is crisp, dry, and a touch sour. Medium body, creamy in all the right spots.

This is a great saison. One that everyone should drink as often as possible.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2012 16:18:11 | More by ColForbinBC

AlCaponeJunior

Texas

4.13/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Tan to yellow and a bit hazy, head was white and about a finger but didn't last long, lacing was spotty. Smell is funky tartness and fruits, light fruits like apples, pears, and apricots. Taste follows the fruity and funky smell, especially the fruits. Tasty stuff! A bit low on carbonation for a saison, body is medium. Overall it's quite a tasty brew, a real nice saison.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2012 23:53:20 | More by AlCaponeJunior

s1ckboy

Massachusetts

4.23/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle labeled best before January 2013.

A - Orange body with white head that dissipates leaving a rim of bubbles around edges.

S - Some lemon/citrus, a bit tart, small amount of funk, sweet smelling, grassy.

T - Wow, blast of lemon, orange, a touch of grapefruit, very very small amount of tartness, not getting much funk.

M - Thin as expected. Carbonation is on the higher side but is nice. Dry finish.

Great beer, definitely my favorite saison.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2012 04:52:49 | More by s1ckboy

mdaschaf

Washington

4.63/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to rjschroed for sending me this beer! Been looking to trying it for a while.

A: Pours hazy golden/orange color with a foamy, white head that has decent retention - reducing to a ring of foam around the edge. Streaky lacing.

S: A little bit of funk at the beginning which is followed up by a little bit of tartness. There is a little bit of citrus along with apples and a good bit of strawberry actually. Extremely inviting.

T: Not quite has barnyardy/funky as the aroma, but keeps the tartness shows up, and I am glad it does. A fantastic combination of apple, orange, strawberry, peach, and apricot, as well as a just a hint of spice.

M: Medium bodied, but drinks very smooth, moderate carbonation. Nice level of tartness. Amazed that this beer is 8% abv, doesn't show it at all.

O: Wow, exceeded my expectations. Extremely drinkable with amazing fruit flavors. Love the slight sour/tartness it has, will definitely grab this if I see it.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2012 03:08:03 | More by mdaschaf

auroracrisis

Kentucky

4.6/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Bottle into a tulip, marked best before January 2013.

Golden with a dollop of foam on top that quickly dissipates into a ring. Spotty, tiny bubbles rise to the top feeding and rejuvenating the foam. The beverage gets more and more hazy as the bottle is drank down as well.

Tart citrus zest, grain sweetness, and funky barnyard aromas greet the nose. Moves further into the citrus zest and tartness with hints at tangerine, pineapple, and more tropical fruits. Musty hints at canvas, hay stacks, and a subtle cheesey quality.

Opens with sweetness on the tongue that can be compared to a lemon custard but then quickly moves into more tart, sour flavors. The sourness is not overwhelming in the slightest but with the introduction of these, you get more of a zesty, prickly citrus flavor. Again, funky notes of hay and a bit cheesey. Excellent stuff.

Crisp and medium body with a bit of drying on the end.

A beautiful blend of grain and tropical fruit sweetness, tart citrus zest, and funk. Almost a saison-lambic or wild ale hybird. World class stuff and a must try for anyone that is into Belgian beers or wild ales.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2012 19:11:43 | More by auroracrisis

stewart124

Ohio

4.83/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured into a medium sized wine glass.

Straw yellow in color with plenty of visible carbonation.

Nose has earthy or grassy characters, a beautiful bouquet of flowers, and some barnyard notes to couple with that unmistakable Belgian yeast character.

Taste is powerful and yet delicate. There is a sweetness, lightly toasted bread note, and then sourness but just a light hint of sour. Whoa! It blends so beautifully that it is hard to describe. No one things stands out yet at each moment you can draw some character that is so amazing.

This finish is dry and slightly puckering but not overpowering. It really screams for another sip. There is a Belgian yeasty character throughout that would be amiss to forget, yet it doesn't take away from the overall beer. Hops are subtle and add some grass and probably spice. Just another dimension to this delicate saison.

I have had this beer a couple times and whether it is summer or the dead of winter, this saison is appealing and not just that, deliciously wonderful.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2012 14:50:48 | More by stewart124

dpasotti

Indiana

4.8/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Beautiful cloudy gold color capped with a massive white head that spews lacing. I use 'gold' to describe the color of lots of beers, but this is as close to the real thing as it gets. Wow, the nose is striking. I expected some funk, but it smells more like a gueuze than a saison initially. Musty basement, damp earth, and bright citrus up front. More traditional saison characteristics aren't far behind. Fresh lemon, some light tropical fruit, and floral spice come through.

The flavor, while very similar, is even more complex than the nose. It's driven by smooth, well-rounded funk (more Curtis Mayfield than George Clinton). The somewhat tart fruit component is unbelievably layered, and could be described by a grocery list of citrus and tropical fruits. There's also a distinctive "pink chewable Tylenol" note that I really enjoy. Some phenolic bubble gum and a host of other spicy Belgian yeast flavors sustain the wave of taste. Very little alcohol. A nice soft but decisive hop bitterness tightens up the tail end.

Fine carbonation tends toward the upper end of the scale, and the body is a bit lighter than medium -- actually on the higher side for the style. But hey, that's what residual sugars from an 8% beer will do, and I'm not complaining. Fantome just easily leapt into my top 10 beers ever, probably top 5. This is one of a few that I would buy by the case (if I could). Truly a spectacular example of what beer can be. Fantome is an immensely unique beer; top tier by any measure.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2012 02:09:15 | More by dpasotti

WillCarrera

Illinois

4.4/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750 ml bottle at the Local Option in Chicago.

A- Pours an amazing rustic hazy yellow color. Produces a finger of fluffy white head that leaves awesome lacing.

S- Blend of citrus, fruit and yeast funk, floral notes and a bit of spice are mixed in there.

T- Big yeast funk complemented by a complex fruit character, I'm getting a bit of lemon as well as peach and apple. There's a profound smoky, almost meaty flavor in there also, backed up with some mild spices.

M- Medium-bodied. Moderate carbonation, the feel is dry and crisp but is given a decent amount of body by the yeast.

O- One of the best saisons I've ever had, the flavors are complex and keep evolving as you move through the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2012 05:17:18 | More by WillCarrera