Fantôme Black Ghost

Brewed by Brasserie Fantôme
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Soy-Erezée, Belgium

A long-hoped for Fantome brew, finally on the shelves of State Line. Props to Gabe for pointing that out in his review! Poured a murky orangey brown with a generous but tamed off-white colored head, decent lacing all the way down. The aroma was light chocolate with dry Belgian spices (almost coriander-like), some fruits, dry black pepper. The flavor followed the aroma, but this was more roasty in flavor than I’d have thought (less fruity) from the aroma. Dry bitterness in the finish, no real funk factor, hops present too. Mouthfeel was dry and airy.

Bottle picked up at SL... Caged and corked. Light reddish brown color, nice head. Nice aroma of earthy, light smoke, apple and some other fruits. Taste is dry in your mouth. Light fruits and spices. Earthy... Bitter in the after taste. Unique beer, it doesnt really taste like any other beer I have had. Some sips were very saison like, other not so much...I cant tell if thats a good thing or a bad thing. As it warmed up it became much softer and easier to drink...Overall I liked it but wouldnt buy it again.

750 from Sam’s Blue LIght in Durham. Pours a nice copper amber with ruby highlights. The head is one to two fingers thick and a frothy light tan. The nose is earthy, yeasty, sharp, midly spicy. More subdued than the flavor. Flavor is spicy, yeasty, nice ester character, some grains of paradise falvor, warm, bitter astringent bite, sharp citrus rind. Palate is warming and has a very potent bitterness. Feel like there were too many or too much spice in this beer, gets to be uncomfortably bitter.

Pours a slightly hazy deep amber with a minimal head and lace. Nose of oak, leather, cinnamon, nutmeg, some other spices, and a slight roasted malt character. Flavor is spicey and surprisingly bitter and astringent. Slightly metallic and bitter muddled finish. Thanks for sharing, Ethan.

Botella, courtesy of Plovmand/Pinball. Hazy dark brown colour with a small beige steady creamish head. Roasty spiced hoppy pleasant aroma with a slight sour touch. Good mouthfeel. Spiced and roasty flavour with some pepper and chocolate along with a pleasant bitterness and a little sourish touch. Pleasant spiced roasty strong brew.

75cl gift from plovmand, shared with faroeviking. dark brown, small smooth white head. aroma is sourish, spicy, floral hops. flavor is a bit watery, spices, slightly sour, roasted malts.

750mL cap and corked bottle courtesy of pghlee at the Brick Store. Pours a hazy reddish amber with a big thick head that recedes quickly to a collar and leaves spotty lacing. The aroma is an interesting mix of sweet saison-like smells and spices with a bit of dark roasted malts and even a bit of sugary sweetness. On top of all of this is a hint of the typical Fantome funk...lots going on. The taste is has the Belgian yeast backbone with a quick tart hit up front. There are some definitely spices, especially in the finish, probably coriander and some others I can’t identify. Again, there are some dark roasted characteristics that make things very unique. The mouthfeel is light to medium bodied for a BSDA if that’s what you call this. As usual, a unique brew from Fantome that has a whole bunch of things going on that doesn’t quite come together perfectly. Interesting, but not great.

Cap and corked 750ml. Chestnut/mahogany colored pour. First glass was crystal clear, the last was super murky (and I didn’t pour the last inch). Caramel, kettle corn, yeast, lemon. Pithy citric flavor, toffee, spices, sugary malt. Nutty and a little funky. Interesting.