Fantôme Printemps

Brewed by Brasserie Fantôme
Style: Saison
Soy-Erezée, Belgium

Aroma:Floral and herbal aroma... Appearance:very hazy orange good head... Flavor:Grass,floral flavor,light citrus...

Bottled 750. Beer is a clear medium-light orange with a large, frothy, white, mostly lasting head. The aroma is malty with a light note of toasted grain, a trace of caramel; Hoppy with a heavy note of herb, moderate note of lemon zest, light note of green grass; Yeasty with a light note of basement; Light miscellaneous notes of mint, white pepper, spicy alcohol. The flavor is moderately bitter, light acidic, moderately sweet with a long, slightly warm, lightly bittersweet, trace-astringent finish. The body is medium, the texture is velvety and the carbonation is lively.

One of the more herbal fantome beers I have had. The bitterness was a bit much at first, i’m not sure if it was just the herbalness of this beer that really made the bitterness stand out. Peppery and light hints of citrus in the finish. My only dislike to this beer is even an hour after drinking it I kinda felt like i’d been chomping on some weird leaves, a bitter plant like taste left behind. Still a very tasty brew though.

Pretty damn sure this is a fresh bottle of the 2006 vintage: Dark orange, nice white head, fairly perfect carbonation level. Earthy orange peel aroma, strong, slight strawberry undertone, all most ashy and autumnal as well but fresh...herbal, lemon verbena, bay leaf, thyme,etc. Flavor is...WHOA, quite bitter but not so mich hop bitter, chicory maybe, echinacea? Sweet malt and herbal/bitter aftertaste finishing dry and flavorsome, no sourness...very nicely crafted.

Poured opaque orange with yellow yeast sediment floating around. Huge off white head. Aroma is sour fruits, orange peel, belgian yeast, with some vacuum like odors. Flavor is dried fruit, some lemon, orange, and pear. Slightly sour and bitter with a flat dry finish that leaves a apricot hoppiness behind.

Don’t know how old this is, bought it about 16 months ago, and it looked like it had been on the shelf awhile. Cork is removed with a promising pop. Clear amber. Two fingers of dense, frothy, off white carbonation. Aroma: grainy barn funk with a tinge of sourness, toasty caramel malt, crisp aromatic hops, some dark fruits, candi sugar? - smells like a cross between a belgian strong and a saison, a bit of pepper, and subtle alcohol. Flavor: crisp hops, grains, and musty barn funk up front - followed by smooth, roasty caramel, dark fruits, and candi sugar in the middle - dry, sour, spicy, peppery, yeasty and slightly alcoholic finish. Overcooked sourdough bread aftertaste, with the crust. Palate: rather light for all that’s going on - medium, balanced body. I’ve yet to have a beer of theirs I didn’t like. More Fantome on the way to Knightly very soon. Be careful when you see me.

This one poured hazy dark golden in color, with a huge fluffy white head. The head never eroded, and caused numerous repours. The aroma was spicy and citris, with some hops and funky malts as well. The flavor was floral and spicy up front, with hopcit, multiple fruity, and barnyardy elements at mid-palate. Medium and very carbonated on the palate. Another winner from Fantome.

What a perfect weekend to try this brew. Easter, sunny, friends and family. Pours a golden straw color with a nice white head. Good looking carbonation. The aroma is pleasant with light citrus, semi-sweet hints, bready yeast, and earthy spice. Lightly floral overall. Great blend of flavors (perfect with Easter lunch). Starts with some bitter spice (pepper?) but moves quickly to a semi-sweet citrus, with Belgian yeast. A mix that is very spring like and quenching. From there you move on to the finish of lightly bitter spice (saffron came to mind) and light noble hops. Wet medium body with lots of carbonation. Very refreshing. One of my favorites from Fantome.