Fantôme Black Ghost

Bottle overflows after the pour with effervescence. Leaves a surprisingly small beige head considering. Lactic sour leads the charge of smells with malt quickly following up to soften the blow. Very mild yeast presence. Flavour is pervasively but not intensely sour. Dark malt echoes deep below but cannot surface. Average palate, quite carbonated initially. Pleasant but lacks... a defining moment.

Interesting beast this saison. It’s like a light porter mixed with a little bit of gueze. Mild spices combine with a roasted malt flavor and sour grape-skin. Nothing really leaps out at you though.

(750ml bottle) Pours a murky chestnut brown body with a moderate beige head. Aroma of toasted malt, vinous, and cocoa. Flavor of chocolate, plum, toasted malt, grapes, citrus, and brown sugar. Smooth, malty mouthfeel that was extremely drinkable (or at least I was very thirsty.)

Medium, cloudy, reddish brown with a hint of purple, off white head, flavors are a mix of spice, yeast, bread, raisin, toffee, sugar. Alcohol in the finish. Pretty good.

Earthy complex aroma and poured a dark brown with a thin tan head of huge bubbles. Flavor starts with a tiny bit of sour that grows after the swallow. A hint of sour cherry with a balsamic acidic bite. Palate seemed a tad thin, bud the alcohol adds a great deal of warmth. Funky and enjoyable; I expect no less from this brewer. Thanks July Santa!!

Fruity berry-grape start with a spicy finish. The fizz and alcohol softly warm the palate with a mix of white grapes, lik-a-maid, spices (?) and fudge. The flavors just keep coming. Keep the pours coming, too.

Bottle at O’Brien’s, San Diego, shared with a bunch of RateBeer locals - courtesy of yours truly. Hazy brownish-ruby with a small head. Aroma of smoke and coffee, with some yeasty funkiness. Slightly sour cocoa flavour, a little earthy, with a dry finish. Not as much spiciness as I expected. Good, but not quite as interesting as I hoped/expected.

Dark brown with lots of fizzy off white, very rocky. Yeast funk and some grass are pretty evident on the nose. Just by smells alone, I probably would not want to drink this stuff. But the taste is very interesting and complex. Starts very earthy and dry. The yeast takes over and makes you pucker on first sip. More fruit notes such as cherry and grape come out into the mix. Some spicing also. Turns dry and funky again during the finish. Give me more.