Fantome - Noel
Brewery: Fantome
Type: Noel
ABV: 10%
Quaff date: 3/31/2009
Poured at: Casa Muerte
Drunk from: Tulip Glass
Another special beer, but for some reason, I left out the special lighting this time. Who knows, we’re still way back in March, over a month ago. This beer was purchased for me by Jen as a Solstice gift. I waited and waited for an appropriately special moment to open the beer, then one day, I could just feel it - the special moment had arrived.
I’ve heard rumors of Fantome having problems with bottle consistency - low carbonation or weird flavors (which may or may not be due to whatever whim struck the brewer on brew-day). This opened with a distinct, relieving “pop!” Rather than a lack of carbonation, this one gushed a big. I started pouring quickly but gently, so as to retain as much of this most special of beers as possible. It poured a cloudy brown, with the head dissipating quickly, but a steady stream of bubbles continuing to rise from the glass. It smelled salty. Is that possible? Must be. Also, tamari (a flavor D-Mo first pointed out to me in dark beers). Also some cloves. I don’t usually notice cloves, so I got to mark that one off, my version of birding. My first impression upon finally getting a good guzzle in was black pepper. Spicy (I added in my notes, parenthetically, “seriously spicy”). Also dry and figgy. Figs I’m used to from all the strong, dark Belgian beers I love drinking. But now I”m looking back at my notes wondering, where did that clove go?