Silos & Summits
Brasserie Fantôme

really sick they did a collaboration with cellar west, if i was a saison producer, making it would feel like a brew with fantome, this is really validating for them, not that they need it, their beer has long been incredible and underappreciated, but this is super cool nevertheless, stoked to have a bottle! its vague as always on the label, saison with spices and colorado hops, but nobody would call this hoppy, at least not now, it seems pretty old. golden and clear like a pils through the first two thirds of the bottle, then a bit more sediment, but holding a high white wispy head the whole time and with a ton of bubbles, great bottle conditioning. it smells a little light struck and skunky, more than even is common in their beers, which is saying something, and for once (or twice) its not totally flattering, some sulfur up front, white pepper and clove and maybe coriander notes behind that, a tea hit, some light herbal hoppiness i suppose, tons of green glass weirdness, a little lemon tang, and definitely a little brett, maybe more funky than a lot of others, but not way out there and wild, still definitely a fantome yeast beer first. the flavor is all of this, some breadiness to the pale malt, definitely wheaty, more funk as it warms, wet stone, green pear, skunky weed, maybe green glass and ageing hops together there, sweet citrus and honey, blooming flowers and dried grass, very complex, but also to me a little bit deteriorated, not sure how old it actually is. i love the frothy and bubbly texture, some real structure to this but also still very excited. spicy at the end, black pepper and almost a cardamom thing. always a joy to drink fantome, this felt special even if not at its best, and its sad to hear this legend is selling the place and getting out of the game, ill have to buy all i can find. i will miss it when its gone, without question one of my all time favorite breweries in the history of the world...

 

Bottle pour into a taster glass.
Clear golden color with a big foamy white head that sticks around. Fruity, citrus, spice, grain, and a little bit of funk. Full body, crisp, moderate carbonation.

Bottle. White head. Lace. Put this is the freezer for a bit to prevent gushing. It worked. Golden color.

Lemon zest, crushed black peppercorn, mango, orange peel. A very fruity saison. Lively and bright. Some spice. Earthy and grassy hops. A nice funk here as well.

Very enjoyable offering from Fantome.