Noël 93 Brassin Special Unique
Brasserie Fantôme

Bottle from 1990! It wasn't much to look at, and had some slightly off aromas, but the flavor was quite good, and the mouth feel was rather good as well. Very solid for the age!

Typical Fantome, a true Saison, and a bit past its prime, however … Highly interesting bottle, Aqua colored sea glass blob top bottle corked and caged, but with two side holes at the top on the collar originally in its day used to hold the metal hinge of a porcelain gasket cap. Printed on the cork was the name of a Belgian pub, and the bottle was vertically etched with the name of a Netherlands university. The label was quite dirty with a hooded woman in place of the typical Fantome ghost ... but a woman who has been sited on a select few other early day Fantome bottles. A journey, chain of custody, and story this bottle has traveled to find its way to a table of friends sharing other unusual and historically significant beers.

750ml bottle corked and capped. Interestingly enough, the cork that usually is in nearly all Fantome bottles includes the brewery name and phone number. This cork however was completely plain with no markings. The cork removed with a slight pop and revealed a liquid perfectly clear, amber to mahogany in color with a light khaki head resting atop fading slowly leaving spotty lace.

The smell on this is mildly earthy with a strong scent along the lines of raison and plum covered in chocolate and molasses and drenched in alcohol. The taste is sweet caramel, vanilla, molasses, raisons, dates, prunes and plums mingled with brown sugar and warming alcohol.

This is full bodied and modestly carbonated. How can this beer be 23 years old? There is seemingly no oxidation to be found in the flavor profile and just the faintest suggestion in the nose. Im not sure what made this batch of Noel "special or unique" but my god was it a glorious experience. So rich with sweetness and warming alcohol it totally eclipses every other experience ive had with Fantome Noel. The best way I can put this to words is that this is the closest thing Dany has ever made to a Fantome version of an old ale or rich barleywine. Wow.

Bottle shared by Stakem. Thanks man!

Mahogany body with a small beige collar. Musty basement, well water, mineral, brown bread. Hints of cherry, mild sweetness. Brown bread, mild acetic character. Delicious!