Additional notes: 10/02/2022 (Pictured) – Lot Nr 12 F21 best before end 2026. This is 6%/14°, and not the original review’s 8.0%

Well, when you look at the notes below, and you consider that some people have considered this beer almost a Tripel in the past, this 2022 version has almost no resemblance to that at all! As you can see from the ABVs as well, this is now a different beer to what it used to be.

As pretty as ever (pictured) this is very bitter. Good, but bitter, and it appears to give that away on the label that declares it as a “Special Brew BIPA styled” which I assumes means Belgian IPA. It really is pronounced bitterness, and it caught me off-guard a little. Big, punishing hops and it has an old West Coat/Saison hybrid feel about it.

Don’t get me wrong I enjoyed it, but I much preferred the beer that I drank in 2009 if I am honest.

Original notes: 06/26/2009

Thanks go out to J & J at Bruisn’ Ales for the chance to try this 750 mL, capped, green bottle @ $15.00.

Pour is a light, brownish/orange with some sediment and a chill-hazed appearance. Head is big and bright early on, more reserved later. Lace is OK. Large amount of fine, muddy brown sediment comes with the final pour.

Nose and tastes reveal a typical Fantôme, funk and fruit, but this one lays more heavily on the fruit side of things for me. Very grape orientated with vinous note of chardonnay grapes coming through quite strongly. Without the funk it would remind me of Allagash Victor/Victoria.

Carbonation seems a touch on the low side, but it drinks simply and nicely with a very fruity finish. Definitely one of the fruitier Fantôme’s in the stable and in that respect a little atypical.