Fantome Pissenlit Saison

Founded in 1988, Brasserie Fantôme has gained international attention and a cult following among lovers of craft beers. Owned and run by Dany Prignon, Fantôme is known for its unique variations on the Saison style of farmhouse ale, often involving the use of herbs, spices or fruit juice. Within the craft beer community, Fantome saisons are considered highly desirable and have developed a significant audience in the United States and United Kingdom. Ironically, while their complex, earthy, and herbal flavors have caused them to be sought out by connoisseurs outside of Belgium, Fantôme's products are difficult to find and not well known in the country of their origin.

 

Fantôme Pissenlit (ABV 8%) from Brasserie Fantôme is a Saison brewed with dandelions ("pissenlit" in French).

Every spring, Dany Prignon, the offbeat brewer at Fantôme, picks bushels of the 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 - a deep 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!