Fantôme (beer)

Lore & Background

Brasserie Fantôme occupies a stone farmhouse on the main road through the village of Soy in the Marche-en-Famenne district of Luxembourg province. The brewery's name stems from a legend of the nearby town of La Roche-en-Ardenne, which asserts that the ghost of the long-dead Countess Berthe de La Roche can still be seen walking amidst the ruins of the town's castle. Dany Prignon founded the brewery in 1988, and much of its equipment was obtained from the original brewhouse of the Brasserie d'Achouffe. The brewery produces beer about once per week, with many specialties made only once per year. Fantôme's products are available only in corked and capped 750 ml bottles of green glass and on tap.

Reader's Guide

Fantôme's significance lies in its role as a cult producer of saisons that are highly sought after by connoisseurs outside Belgium, yet remain difficult to find and not well known within their country of origin. The brewery's flagship, Fantôme Saison (8.0% ABV), is a fruity, strong take on the style described as having intense flavors of orange, peach, and strawberry. Other regular offerings include the quarterly Saison d'Erezee, whose formulation varies each year, and seasonal beers such as Fantôme Speciale Noel (10.0% ABV) and Fantôme La Dalmatienne. The brewery also produces many special and one-time products at the whim of the brewmaster, including custom beers made on commission for bars or for charity. The complex, earthy, and herbal flavors of Fantôme's beers have driven their international reputation, despite limited domestic recognition.

Did You Know?

• The brewery's name comes from a legend about the ghost of Countess Berthe de La Roche.
• Much of Fantôme's equipment was obtained from the original brewhouse of Brasserie d'Achouffe.
• Fantôme Pissenlit is made with dandelions and its name literally means 'wet the bed' in French.
• Fantôme BBB Babillard was produced based on the results of a members' poll from an online beer enthusiast forum.