Fantome Hiver

You should try it before you spend the time cellaring it. I thought this year's was absolutely terrible.

 

What didn't you like about this year's? I've had previous vintages and enjoyed them, but haven't opened the latest yet.

 

It was like a cross between a rauchbier and a saison. Unbearably smokey with huge tobacco flavors. Like someone put a cigar out into my beer. It wouldn't be bad but the smoked malt component was overwhelming, and didn't mesh well with the tartness of the saison.

I like rauchbiers, and I love saisons. I really didn't enjoy this year's Hiver - the last few reviews are mixed for this reason - people either like it or hate it. Personally, I'd never buy this beer again...ever. If it were the only thing on the menu, I'd order water.

 

Damn, sorry to hear that! Will have to open mine with someone who knows to expect the unexpected from Fantome.

 

I had a bottle of this year's vintage back in August. I thought it was quite tasty. However, knowing Fantome this could be an issue of variation with bottles.

 

Fantome is always a gamble, I know two people in the Bay Area that have had to drain pour Hiver in the last few weeks. I'm assuming they were off but either way, they were undrinkable.

 

I opened one up at DLD this year and it tasted like liquid black pepper. When you get a good Fantome bottle they are hard to beat, but some are absolutely terrible.

 

I had one about a month ago that I purchased in August or September, I don't really remember, so I'm not sure if it was brewed last year or if it was from this year, not too sure how the Fantome brew schedule works. Anywho, I thought it was fantastic. Have only had a few brews from Fantome but all have been good.

 

C'mon! It's Fantome! Every bottle is unique! Every bottle is a surprise!

 

I'm drinking my bottle of Hiver right now. Definitely not my favorite Fantome ever (still the regular saison for me), but I don't get anything like a rauchbier flavor. Every bottle is a surprise!

 

Cracked one open last night and thought the same thing. The wife said it tasted like "tires and plastic". Just awful.

 

Had one maybe a month ago and it was the best Fantome bottle i've ever had. I think it was a 2012?

 

Drank my Hiver last night too. Not sure if it was 2011 or 2012. First time drinking anything from Fantome. Not smoky at all. Not peppery either. Soft mouth feel, almost creamy. Reminded me a lot of Duchessic. The first taste was odd, but once it warmed up a bit I really enjoyed it. Sounds like there are too many inconsistencies tho for me to purchase another one.

 

FWIW, I opened this year's Pissenlit last night and it was amazing at first, but then it just became unbearable. Pure rubber cement. I would suggest opening your Hiver (or any other beer you've never had) fresh, and enjoying it, and then decide for yourself if it's worth cellaring.

For Fantome in general, I would suggest just opening it right away. The undesirable flavors that come with Fantome's bottle variation are not the kind that get erased by cellaring.

 

I've never had a bad bottle from Fantome, but I'm aware of the wide reports of bottle variations and other quality issues. Dany's stuff is just so good, though, that I'll never stop buying it!

 

this was the worst thing i've tasted in a long time. drainpoured mine. overwhelming smoke combined with the lovely band-aid taste of phenols. fucking awful waste of $18

 

Did you read my review?! Yup..you nailed it

 

no i didn't. i am too angry to have wasted $18 to read reviews.