Fantôme de Noël

Light to frothy head that has nice staying power (ugly hazy brown color). Sweet Belgian candied fruit and citrus aromas. Alcohol, coco, and hints of a light medicinal property. All and all, good. Gets a bit funky as it warms (barnyard). As for the taste…well it went great with the lobster bisque and Ruben sandwiches! Definitely coco in there. This is like a light dessert brew. Some kind of heavy dessert fruit flavors with spices (allspice?) and some Belgian yeast hints lying deep down. Full and delicious flavor. Medium creamy body. Very easy to drink with a nicely balanced carbonation. My favorite Fantome so far!

Pours dark cloudy brown with a white bubbly head. Spice, fruit, and roasted caramel dominate the smell. Taste is unusual and complex, with apple and a little coffee among other flavors. Very dry on the palate with a sourness that makes the mouth pucker. Certainly an odd beer that may take some getting used to.

Sampled at a 2005 Christmas and Winter beer tasting at Delilah’s, Chicago, IL. 1998 vintage. Hazy amber ale with no discernable head and carbonation. Nice fruity aroma. Light-to-medium bodied that starts with light sweet malt and fruity flavors. Some funky leathery sourness. Finishes dry with lingering sourness. This is an interesting tasty sour winter beer. UPDATE: One pint, 9.4 fl oz (750 mL) brown bottle purchased from Di Carlo Wine and Spirits (formerly Armanetti’s),, Mundelein, IL. 10% ABV. 2005 vintage. Hazy dark brown ale having a small, off-white head with spare lacing. No discernable carbonation. Earthy spicy aroma. Medium bodied that starts with slightly sour with earthy, spicy aromas. Some light malt sweetness. Finishes with light sour malt aftertaste. Sour, tangy, earthy Belgium beer that is a definite acquired taste. Not my favorite Belgium ale. The 1998 vintage was smoother and less sour than the 2005 vintage. My ratings reflect the average of both beers. Sampled on 2005 Christmas day with visiting family members.

Hazy brown in color. Dank(as in basement),dusty, spicy and cured meat nose. Rich, sweet and spicy on the palate. Medium body, good but not great.

@11th Kerstbierenfestival Belgium. hazy(murky) beer with a bubbly head. aromas of coffee, chichorei. taste: coffee, chichorei, roasted malt, bit sweet and a bit bitter. very nice winter saison.

Very muddy brown body with a small soapy white head. Nose of chestnut, mocca, coffee. Again chestnutty taste, notes of roasted malt. Fairly sweet but not overly so. Alcohol is very well hidden. Thick, full mouthfeel, except for the finish. All in all very nice.

Draught at Kerstbierenfestival 2005, Essen, Belgium
Muddy, brown body. Nose of yoghurt, apple, soured milk. Lightly sweet, lightly bitter initial flavour. Lightly bitter finish. Nice beer from Danny.

Courtesy of Secret Santa. <P> I just had this at a Florida RB Tasting, but I was rocked so it was nice to get a bottle to enjoy at my leisure....ie sober. <P> 2004 vintage. Aroma is STRONG and imparts spice and chocolate malt. I found that odd, but welcome. Hazy light brown with a head that is creamy and screams drink me. The flavor is highly chocolate in the fore, but fades to strong coffee flavor due to some sourness in the finish. This is a flavor I love immensely and actively seek out. I can’t believe how well the chocolate malts reach their potential in this style. It tastes like a spiked chocolate/coffee with a complex funky saison thrown in and it really makes a statement. The flavor is beautiful and the feel of the beer is amazing. A fantastic MUST TRY beer. <P> And at 10% the alcohol is amazingly well masked. I’d guess 6.5% if asked based on the flavor.