Bottle number 31, I believe (31, 34, 37, it was one of those). 11 months old. Sampled this rarity at the Montreal tasting on 3/6/05 with Barry, Marty, Davey and Steve-o. Poured in to an Achouffe (like that matters) tulip glass at around 50 degrees. I feel an essay coming on, so you might want to stop reading before I put you to sleep.
George Clinton and Parliament play "We want the Funk" as we open the bottle (no, not really, but it would have been fitting). Vapor releases from the bottle and here we go! It’s said to smell of pineapple and I would thoroughly agree, though it is a much more lean, dry pineapple ester. My best approximation of the bretty aroma would be new rubber bands soaked in pineapple juice. Think that sounds appealing? Neither did I, but for the life of me, I couldn’t stop sniffing it. I guess I like rubber bands and pineapple more than I had thought. . .The aroma is fresh and funky, with the poignant brett notes giving a lovely tart, dry smell. Even towards the end of the glass, the aroma dosen’t quit. Once I finally persuade myself to stop sniffing and dive in, I’m no less disappointed. Ample, sweet carapils malt balances the tart, funky yeast. The malt, while certainly well-done, sits in the background and lets the yeast take center stage, as it should. All kinds of band-aid, plastic, lime and pineapple notes can be discerned from the yeast and it is just deliciously crisp and drinkable. To be honest, I was expecting more knock-your-socks-off wildness, but this is a well-controlled, carefully constructed beer. Near the end, some smooth, lightly sweet honey and almond flavored malt is present with a touch of bananas and tart tangerines and limes. It finishes with a tart green apples-meets-lime juice flavor, with the wonderful brett yeast lingering on in the aftertaste. The body is medium to medium-full, but never heavy, syrupy or too malty for what they are trying to accomplish. Carbonation is moderate to low and is very soft on the palate, giving a pleasant texture. No alcohol or hops perceived. A true work of genius and I’m glad to be part of it, even in a small way. It sounds like even the short amount of aging this has undergone, has mellowed out the flavors and toned down the extreme brett tartness. I think it adds that much more balance and shows it to be more of a beer and less an experiment. I can’t deny, however, being a little bit sad at not being able to try this stuff fresh, to really get the full effect of the brett. Hopefully I can say, there’s always next time. As this is a beer that must be produced again. Thanks so much, Martin!

One and only batch 1, at about 18 months old. The tartness has considerably mellowed, though the beer has plenty of sweet malt left, more agreeable funk and a tight, engaging mouthfeel. No flaws have emerged (didnt expect any to), and it is still stimulating and drinkable. Pineapple and rubber-band like notes have died down considerably, the pineapple being only notable, to me, in the flavor at this point. Keeping my score the same.

Very pale golden coloured body with a thinnish white head. Aroma of super-tart fruit, oak and a little sweetness. Light to Medium-bodied; Strong tart flavour from cherries or raspberries fading a sour sweetness. Aftertaste shows some oak but mostly a mouth-puckering sourness. Overall, a nice flemish sour and especially great to try on the east coast! I sampled this beer at the November RB party at Founder’s in Alexandria, Virginia on 20-November-2004.

Bottled, thanks cquiroga (or was it Dr. Bill!?!) Cloudy golden, small head. Barnyardy Cantillon aroma. Soft and gently malty with balanced lemony acidity. Vinous and lighlty woody. Refreshing and mindblowingly wonderful.

Bottled, thanks Dr.Bill! Bronze colour, fluffy head. Apricot and farmyard aroma. Candy and dense malt. Lightly fruity and citric with rounded, lively mouthfeel. A fantastic, Fantôme-style saison.