Hi guys.  Thanks for checking in on another craft beer review.  For today’s pleasure I’m going to be trying the Fantome Pissenlit produced by the Brasserie Fantome located in Soy, Belgium.

I have just recently been able to get Fantome in my area and I am very excited about it.  I’m really looking forward to trying this beer.  I’ve heard some really nice things.

The brewery’s website, fantome.be, is not translated to English, so I’m going to see if I can find anything on ratebeer.com about it. 

Dany, the offbeat brewer at Fantôme, will try anything, and the results are always interesting. A beer made from dandelions would be worth a try if only because no one has ever brewed one before, but the great news is that this is actually a very good beer.

Dany and some cohorts get busy every spring picking bushels of dandelions that grow in the fields around the picturesque farmhouse brewery. The yellow flowers are removed and dried in the sun, then soaked in water for a few days. The thick, dark dandelion “tea” that results is the basis for the Pissenlit, which is made also from traditional barley malt and hops. It resembles a classic saison beer – golden spritzy brew, strong and very flavorful, with a good hop bite. You may have to strain to taste the dandelions, but you know they’re in there.

It should be noted that uncooked, the dandelion has a diuretic effect and is known in France as Pissenlit (literally, “wet the bed” – this also happens to be the British folk-name) for precisely this reason.

Let’s have a taste.

This Saison/Farmhouse Ale comes in a 25.4 oz. bottle and it has an ABV of 8.0%.

It poured a hazy, golden/orange color with a bright white head that was very soapy, rocky, fluffy and billowy.  It formed to a tremendous size.  The retention time was great and the lacing was spectacular.  It hung around for nearly the entire drink.  A very beautiful looking beer I thought.

The nose was awesome.  A nice jolt of barnyard funk was discovered first.  It settled nicely after a few moments to let me concentrate on additional components of grassy hops and grain.  Fruity hints of lemon, pear and green apple also.  A firm dose of peppery spice merged with an engaging amount of bread and yeast.  Very well balanced and even throughout the bouquet.

The taste was delightful as well.  A nice, tart, funky sourness at the start.  More lemon, green apple and fruity pear.  A touch of mustiness along with an easily recognizable Belgian bready/biscuity yeast.  The bitterness and peppery spice provided a nice kick at the back end.  The flavor matched the aroma very well.  Again, very well balanced and harmonized.  I couldn’t really taste the dandelions though.  Oh well, I didn’t miss them.     
The mouthfeel was medium bodied.  Very dry, snappy, crisp, refreshing and thirst quenching.  A lively bit of carbonation was felt without it ever becoming “stingy” on distracting.  A ton of flavor was left behind on the palate.  I was still able to taste this brew long after the bottle was finished.

I’ll tell ya.  I thought this was a beautiful beer.  It totally hit the spot on a day when the temperature hit 106 degrees Fahrenheit here in Kentucky.  The drinkability was outstanding.  I killed this thing in no time flat.  I’m definitely going to pick up another bottle before the Summer ends.  I’d suggest that you do the same if you can find it.  It packs plenty of flavor to be contemplated and studied, however it’s relaxing and soft enough to be enjoyed like a sessionable beer.  Watch out though, it’s still 8.0% ABV and the alcohol was nowhere to be found.  Just a killer beer in my opinion.  Have you guys ever tried the Fantome Pissenlit?  What were your thoughts?  Feel free to leave a comment if you wish.  I love to hear your opinions.

Thanks for reading guys.  I’m really thankful for all of the support.

Until next time.  Cheers.

Score:  4.65 out of 5
Grade:  A+