Fantome Saison aged for a year

I've had this relatively fresh and with 1+, and 2+ years on it. I blame it on my juvenile understanding of what cellaring beer is really for. Nonetheless, this beer was amazing at every age I've had it. Enjoy!

 

Recently got 6 bottles to cellar. Opening one per year from here on out... We shall see how this plays out.

 

I recommend you keep your expectations in check. Fantome is infamous for batch to batch, and even bottle to bottle consistency. We've opened to Fantome Hivers side by side, and they weren't even the same color.

 

Is it really fair to talk about cellaring this beer or any Fantome offering? Bottle to bottle and batch to batch can vary so much let alone year to year. And speaking of year to year, are the label dating codes being used regularly now? I have multiple bottles that I have no idea how old they are. Same beer, different labels for the classic saison.

FYI - I'm not being a jerk or talking negative here. I love Fantome. But how can you be sure that it's the aging that you are enjoying and not just a slight variation that you liked better than the last?

I had magic ghost three times now and while the first 2 experiences were down right amazing, the last time I had it, it was not as glorious. Even the green coloring to the brew was different (darker) compared to the first 2 times which were brighter and almost neon. I'll have to see if I have pictures to reference and post.

 

Sounds like a hell of an idea to me!
Havent seen base Fantome around me very much in So. Cal. Should try to find some soon.

Cheers!

 

I opened some 2004 bottles recently and was shocked at how clean and bright the beer was. It was quite a joy.

You never know with fantome, though... It's a roll of the dice with every bottle.

 

I like to live dangerously...

 

No, and if they are I don't trust them. The only thing you can do is mark 'em ith your purchase date. Beyond that it's anyone's guess.

 

I've had a some 10+ year old bottles and they've been great and received great (albeit immensely surprised) comments from others who have tried them.

There was some point in the mid-2000s when most Fantome bottles exported to the USA took a slide. Exceptions would be Saison, the Sante series (not distributed to US), some extremely limited bottles that were brewed for special events (not distributed to US), etc. One school of thought is that in the recent years, Fantome has just filled multiple bottles form their lineup with the same beer.

As Shogo mentioned, there's no good way to date most 2005 and younger bottles without just keeping track of when you bought them. A paint pen is what I use. I mean he used the same label for the Noel in 2008 and again in 2010 (or 11? I'm not even sure anymore). It is such a pain in the ass.

 

That beer is so damn good, that I just don't have the self-control to not drink it right after I buy it.

 

Dany is notorious for just walking through the woods and grabbing random flowers and spices to throw into his beers, it's no wonder his QC is little to none. The strangest part is every bottle I've found in Belgium IS actually dated correctly. Makes you wonder a little bit.