Fantôme La Dalmatienne (Light)
Brasserie Fantôme

 

 

 

Cloudy yellow pour, full white head, spotted lacing. Super botanical, weedy and light basil nose, yup it's a fantome! Taste is the same with yeast, underripe banana, and mild cellar funk, but the hops in their aggressive bitter leafiness overpower over time. Feel is super bitter and yeasty, never gets to harsh but on the way, yup it's a fantome! I just wish this one has a touch more balance like some of their better work

 

Clear yellow amber brew with an enormous pile of foam in the Duvel tulip. Bubbles streaming long after it subsides. Mouthfeel is lush and prickly. Taste is more fruity and less mineral than a lot of strong Saisons. I'd almost call it a strong golden Belgian but there is that taste of brettanomyces rather than the intense fruity phenols.

Lively and lemony with a modest but persistent malty sweetness. Just a tang of acidity but well balanced. Aromatic with citrus, cereal, straw, and a hint of Hefeweizen. Some pleasant apricot flavor. Quite likeable powerful brew that is distinctly Belgian but well mannered. From the 750 ml bottle with a regular cork and a cap to boot. Purchased in California.

Overcarbed. When it chills out a bit, aggressive Brett funk. Very dry and leathery with a touch of lemon. An acquired taste no doubt, but one can say that about just about everything Fantome makes.

This what the hell I am talking about.
The cork pops out with a lively THUWAP! And pours a richly hazy, honey orange, liquid capped with a cumulus of meringue head (You have ice cream on top of your beer! exclaimed my 4 year old)
The nose is funky and full with a soft breadiness and a pleasant, fruity tartness
Taste is remarkably fruity, apricot and white peach, a bit of overripe pear, but not really sweet. The.dregs bring a yeasty mineralogy that isn't unpleasant, but I'd decant carefully and try the dregs on their own.pour next time.
Mouthfeel is full.but dry with a soft carbonation and clean finish.
Overall this is one of my favorite beers ever. Perhaps the best season.I've tried. At least neck and neck with the fantome saison de Sergio. Great stuff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No label date. Purchased over a year ago.

Transparent golden-orange brew, but with an incredible amount of activity. Forms a very large off-white head with excellent retention and lacing.

Lightly sweet, rustic, funky, and tart all at the same time. Just a touch of lemon, wildflower honey, hay, grass - smells like a meadow in Spring.

Flavor is much lighter and more approachable than I would expect for Fantome. Light and sweet up front, with a musty dull edge. Stays sweet throughout, with a honey-like light cracker malt backbone and hints of flowers. Mid-palate, a dry, dusty character not unlike dirt or aspirin emerges; lightly vegetal, as well, almost like peppers without heat. Finish returns to the light sweetness.

Very lively and highly carbonated, which immediately impacts the palate, but quickly recedes to a soft, approachable feel. Effervescent up front, the finish is relatively wet, sweet, and long lasting. Absolutely no hint of the 8% ABV.

As far as Fantome saisons go, this one is fairly straight forward, but there is enough rustic mustiness to give it a unique character.