Additional notes 03/26/26

Same batch as below, two years on. Still a decent gusher but not terrible and I was forewarned with a one liter mug next to the bottle. I lost virtually nothing.

Still fruity up front, but now the spices kick-in quite hard in the back end. Plenty of chilli notes and some peppery spice. For me, this was mostly missing two years ago, now it isn’t! The heat builds quite a lot, but it’s absolutely delicious with the estery fruit still balancing things out. There’s a really, really subtle light burn that lingers.

Original notes 07/29/24

There are people with a lot more knowledge about the mercurial phenomenon that is Fantôme than me, so I tend to react in a far more simple manner than those folk who are huge tickers with other agendas. My motivation is more, “if I see a new ‘tome I’ll always try it.” I say that to clarify that this is a recent re-release, and not the earlier version which is apparently getting people to willing parts with 100s of dollars for a bottle.

So, I’m in Philly for a few days and of course that means a re-visit to Monk’s. If I am brutally honest, the draft list (with a couple of exceptions) just doesn’t wow me. Please don’t take that as a knock on Monk’s, it isn’t, it’s just that at this stage of my drinking experience a couple of things are evident. Firstly I know pretty much exactly what I care for and what I don’t, and secondly my traditional roots always rule out a lot of beer on any list. On my two visits this time, Monk’s was selling Pliny The Elder like it was going out of fashion, and to me that’s a beer that doesn’t even belong in the building (and yes I know the RR distro relationship with Philly). If I’m in Monk’s I’m looking for Belgians and anything else imported that is a very special treat.

The same goes for the bottle list, and even though the extensive offerings are impressive in one way, the list as a whole holds precious little that I am interested in, other than two standouts. Lost Abbye Red Barn is one (contradicting my observations about Belgians and imports, I know), and one obvious Fantôme.

Caeymaex is one of those relatively odd Fantôme beers that is notable by its distinct lack of weirdness. In all honesty, this is quite a simple beer. Well-balanced with a slightly earthy, fruity base, an exquisite, well-carbonated and lively mouthfeel, and some spicy undertones. I must admit I did NOT get the high spice levels that some others have reported. I wouldn’t call this especially complex, at least not to my palate, but it does well as an unusually restrained Fantôme beer.

Light fruit builds for me and the balance is central to the enjoyment. It’s a highly, highly drinkable beer with some light spice poking through now and then.

Honestly, although maybe somewhat atypical, I think in several cases this can be a good thing. It’s not that I don’t necessarily want to be challenged, it’s just that sometimes it’s nice just to enjoy the beer without having to think about it too much.

The beer pours out an unremarkable but nevertheless clear, mid-brown color and the nose gives up some spice and simple caramel notes.

I had two bottles of this, on consecutive days, The first one was a gusher on opening, so I asked the barman to open the second with great caution. Turned out that wasn’t really necessary, but the high carbonation was a feature of both the instances of the drinking if not both instances of the opening.

Excellent offering, supremely enjoyable and simply (in all senses of the word) delightful.