Fantome Saison: Slimy?

I wish I could even find this year's batch, but reading your review, maybe not. Still, having never had a bad bottle from Fantome I'd relish the opportunity.

 

I had a bottle of Fantome Noel like this and I have a Saison in my fridge that appears to have the same problem just by looking at it in the bottle.

 

It's generated from pediococcus. It's call rope. It's also known as the beer being "sick" and will usually go away with time.

 

Sounds like pediococcus has taken hold and not cleared yet. Was it ropy/stringy at all too? Fantome is such a marvelous and worthwhile crapshoot.

edit: damn beat me to it by a few mins!

 

"worthwhile" might depend on the size of your wallet. with prices now around $15-20 a bottle (skunk-prone green glass, at that), indeed the gamble is becoming more and more like the actual game of craps...

 

Pretend it's Jell-o.

 

Can someone explain why Fantome beers are the only beers that turn into jello? Several beers use pediococus, but no one complains about jello beers unless it's a Fantome.

 

At a talk at the NHC years ago, Vinnie Cilurzo said his beers get "sick" but then get well with time, and he got the same feedback talking to the Van Roy's at Cantillon. It takes time to clear up, and the sour brewers let that happen.

 

Oh, I see. Some brewers release their beer when it's ready and others don't.

 

Sour Beers. They so crazy!

 

Could be wrong, but I'm guessing the pediococus infection is unintentional

 

That's what I'm hoping. Just means a more awesome Fantome.

 

Never had the slime, but I really wish he would get a donation to get a new kettle. All his beers since August have been destroyed by smoke.

 

Pediococcus is not the only organism that creates exosaccharides in beer.

 

Have you ever opened 2 bottles from the same batch at the same time?

Not to poop on your hypothesis but I have bottles of Fantome saison from different batches that are even completely different in color. It is clearly visible through the glass that one is pale and the other more amber.

I am not trying to show off or brag but I drink a lot of Fantome. We recently opened 3 bottled of Boo in one sitting. All 3 of them were from the same batch, purchased at the same time and cellared together in the same box under ideal conditions. 2 of them were smoke bombs, the 3rd a fruity tart and wonderful experience.

About the only Fantome brew I can think of that has been getting progressively better with age has been the gold foil clos preal. The first couple times i had it, it was seemingly excessively hoppy. The past couple of times, it seems that hoppy/veggie aspect is fading and more of that classic spicy almost bubblegum saison aspect is coming out. However, I have not drank this more than 3-4 times and its very possible the next time I open one it might prove me wrong.

The only thing for certain with Fantome is that nothing is for certain.

Also, high-five Dany for starting to utilize the batch/best by notches on some labels.

 

I just had my first Fantome, Hiver, purchased at a Whole Foods with no batch number or date and it was very smoky but not in a completely unbalanced way. I actually enjoyed it. I figured that, since it was a winter saison, it was intentional but after reading your post I'm thinking it may not be. Is Hiver supposed to be smoky or do you think I've gotten one of the "smoke bombs"?

 

It's important to understand Fantome makes happy accidents, not mistakes. It's more of an art than a science. Variety is the spice of life, afterall. Viva la Fantome!

 

I'm done with Fantome, too many drain pours. I'm all for happy accidents and creativity, but when I'm paying $15 for a beer I like to be able to drink it.