Fantôme La Dalmatienne

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

I have held onto this for about a year now thinking I usually prefer Fantôme with just a little bit of time on it. Pours a hazy orange color with a small head but some agitation of the glass the head grows a while. Aroma is straight up Fantôme with some funk, with a light yeast sweetness, and that corkiness that always comes from Fantôme (but I am surprised that it is so strong already). The interplay is fun and definitely Fantôme. A bit grassy as well. Taste has that light pancake sweetness which is awesome with a corky and earthy aspect. At the back end there is a little of this sweet bark-y thang, Easy drinking, cool as usual for Fantôme. I would not age this any longer. The end pour, as usual dirties the beer and gives it a nice long lasting head. The sweet pancake aspect grows with a light floral aspect coming out as well.
750mL capped bottle, generic tulip glass.

(750ml bottle) Pours a cloudy golden amber body with a thick off-white head. Aroma of mustiness, floral, barnyard, herbs, tea, black pepper, light citrus, and pineapple. Flavor of leather, citrus, apple, earthiness, and various herbs (oregano being the most prevalent) with a semi-dry finish.

750 ml bottle from Plaza Liquor - Pours a hazy amber color with a two finger thick off white head. Nice lacing. Aroma is full of various spices and esters, yeast, and light malt hidden in there. Flavor is sweet malt, esters, and spice. Mouthfeel is soft, but finishes a tad thin. Medium body. A good beer.

Pros: Great appearance, long lasting foam, dark orange color. Caressing mouth feel. Nice balance, not harshly spiced or bitter. Nice aroma of herbs, lemon rind, pepper, chocolate nibs. Well balanced considering the brewer.

Cons: Very oxidized. Still don’t like the brewery, but this is one of the better versions I’ve had.

Pours a murky orange with a massive head. Total pour time for the standard tulip glass was at least 5 minutes. REALLY lively carbonation. Great mouthfeel, playful, almost sticky. Lots of spice flavor (coriander, pine, hints of apple, soy, alcohol hints to the nose... Not my favorite Fantome but definitely good.

25 oz bottle, via FlacoAlto. Pours a hazy amber with lots of small chunkies floating about. One finger frothy off-white head, minimal visible carbonation. The nose is very fruity with lots of spice and yeast, a little bit of brett and horseblanket notes. The flavor is really spicy, but I’m not sure what might be used here. Cinnamon? Nutmeg? Just lots of yeast derived spice? Not as earthy or funky as many other Fantomes I’ve had. Mouthfeel is very fizzy with a nice full soft texture, lingering spicy finish. I really liked this one, unique for Fantome.

Bottle. Pours a clear amber with a large off-white head that fades leaving some spotty lacing. Aroma of over ripe citrus, caramel, spicy yeast, and a hint of acidity. Taste is the same as aroma. Medium mouthfeel with a mild amount of bitterness, well hidden alcohol, and a spicy yeasty finish. Not much of the Fantôme funk that I love but still a very tasty brew.

From a 750mL Bottle. Pours a hazy, caramel gold color with a fizzy head of off-white. A pleasantly dry, caramel/biscuit malt aroma is livened up by some ginger, rose petals, and peppery phenols. A bit of a dusty character adds further complexity amongst the brighter qualities the malt and spices bring to the bouquet. Medium bodied, moderately carbonated mouthfeel with a spritzy, prickling palate sensation. Toffee and cookie malt flavors up front on the palate, along with some husky coconut flesh. Some woody, spicy nutmeg and a light, musky acidity come out mid palate. Finishes moderately dry, with a lingering woody spice and biscuity malt flavor in the final smack. Pretty malty for a Fantome beer, but it works well.