Fantome BBBrr

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

medium amber on the redder side of the amber scale. Slight haze. The head forms nicely. The aroma isn’t very strong, mostly toast and fresh fruit like apples and pears. The flavor is more on the toast side with a bit of caramel and more of the fresh fruit. Tasty, but not the best of the Fantome line.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

Hmmm.

Yes? Well...., maybe.

Huh.... I dunno....

Why the befuddlement? Only in that this is a rather odd beer -- yes, even by Fantôme standards.

First of all, the fact that Fantôme has several beers dedicated to the Burgundian Babble Belt is pretty freakin' cool, IMHO. Maybe someday other beers will show up on the market that pay homage to other beer-related web-sites (hint, hint!) :) Be that as it may, onto the beer itself.

And that's where the confusion sets in. Basically, this really didn't knock my socks off. More of a standard Amber Ale than anything else -- with only the more complex Saison yeast giving this beer much in the way of character.

Now, mind you, I can't say that I'm 100% opposed to such a "short-cut" -- afterall, my "Hers beer" (of the two bottle "His&Her" set of homebrews that I made for me and Karen's wedding) was very little more than my standard hefeweizen recipe, but using the White Labs Saison yeast vice American Hefe yeast (and turned out pretty tasty, IMHO).

But I expected much more from this --especially if it was going to be under the collective microscope of the Babel Belters' taste buds. Interesting, with enough character in the flavor and mouthfeel profiles to make it a nice drop to kick back with (sipped on this while watching the olympics closing ceremonies).

But this seems awfully tame by Fantôme standards, me'thinks -- and I'd be hard pressed to load up on these if I saw them at the store again (esp. @ $10/bottle). But, it's alright, I guess....
//TB

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 3 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

from previous notes Sampled at the 2004 RBSG in Portland, Oregon Tons of foam opening this one. musty aroma, hazy apricot color, tasty on the palate.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 7

Pours with a muddy golden orange body topped by a thin to medium thick head with a good amount of lacing. The aroma is slightly sweet yet bitter and grassy wtih a very slight note of horseblanket. The flavor is similar but with a bit more bitterness. Light to medium bodied, slightly dry and smooth.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Cork shot off once the cap was removed. Poured a cloudy amber color with a large off white head and light lace. Earthy aroma of coconut and caramel. Dry and earthy taste, mild carbonation. Yeast and alcohol in the dry finish.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 8

Aroma is musky and full of citrus fruit and spice. Appearance is a bronze color with a moderate head. Flavor is slightly spicy with a strong pear and apricot presence. The mouthfeel is rather creamy with a dust presence (If that makes any sense) This one was very unique. Good stuff.