Fantôme Black Ghost

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

More or less a Flemish Sour without most of the "sour." Murky, opaque red-brown body topped by a nice tight tan head. Aroma gives the impression this beer’s going to be pretty sour, with notes of sour fruit, wood, and raspberry vinaigrette. The flavor is surprisingly non-sour, with plenty of wood (oak), hints of red wine, and fig mingling with classic musty, earthy yeasts. Spicing is evident as are flower petals and wisps of cigar smoke. Tight carbonation and great mouthfeel. Another good Fantome.

Brown. Moderately aromatic, with notes of caramel, cocoa powder, nutmeg, dried leaves, seawater, red apples, grapes and bark along with the usual Fantome tartness and funk. In terms of style, this beer falls somewhere in between a flanders red ale and a dry stout but essentially, it is in a class all by itself. Dry, slightly tart, with notes of wood, grapes, cherries, coriander, red apple, bark, chocolate and coffee beans. Watery texture. Thin body. Lacking complexity and balance and very dull compared to past Fantome offerings. This is my third sampling of this beer and I know my review is against the grain but I still don’t understand this beers popularity.

Bottle pours a very hazy brown color with a very large head and good lace. It looks perfect in a Duvel tulip. The aroma is slightly spicy, fruity, perhaps a touch sour, and just very nice. The flavor is woody, roasted, dark chocolate, and quite lingering in roastiness. I really do not detect the sour notes in the flavor that I noted in the aroma. The palate is fresh and cleansing. Overall, I am quite pleased.

More of a really dark brown ghost actually, with a fluffy brown head--how cute! Nose is mild, fruity and a bit spicy with a touch of roast. Nicely balanced with soft carbonation, maybe a bit watery on the palate. As I look deeper, I find more and more woody, almost smoky notes along with some tart cherriosity. 8.5% ABV nowhere to be found until your head starts swimming a little bit and you start seeing dark brown ghosts all over the place.

Deep dark ruby. Some warming alcohol, exotic spices, bits of cinnamon and more grassy herbals. Plenty of dark malt, but not too roasty. Very heavily spiced, a bit dischordant really. The alcohol is rather prevalent as well. Definitely not my favorite fantome, yet still with some charms of its own.

The tan head is huge and creamy. Very dark brown body with just a hint of orange on the edges. Rich aroma of sour apples and sour cherries. It also has some hints of barnyard and a little bit of vinegar. The taste is not sour at all! The smells threw me off. It has tastes of the darkest chocolate you have tasted along with some cheese. The finish has some oaken woodiness, black pepper and a little bit of tobacco. A very interesting brew. I need to try a few more of these mysterious and challenging Fantomes.

Wonderful beer! Pours dark brown into the glass with a thick lingering mocha colored head. Aroma of sour cherries, almost identical to New Glarus Belgian Red in aroma! Flavors though deceive the palate with barnyard and dark chocolate standing out. Some tartness, but the malt really comes out here.

Cloudy Reddish brown, big sturdy tan head. Citrusy aroma. Starts off rather tart, like one would espect a Saison. There is a musty, esrthy taste in the middle, and finishes with a smoky, woodsy flavor. Undertones of fruit throughout, but subtle. Thanks to Footbalm for this trade!