Fantome new Road...

[sherm10161]

except for maybe WI

Is this speculation or fact?

They don't want non-rare imports, and they don't want anything more expensive than a $5 pint.

I generally agree that this is true of WI, but would be interested to see something more than anecdotal evidence.

 

[yeahnatenelson]

I generally agree that this is true of WI, but would be interested to see something more than anecdotal evidence.

Off-topic, but the reason is New Glarus. They exert power in terms of pricing for craft beer in WI in a way that has no parallel in any other market in the US.

 

[sherm10161]

Off-topic, but the reason is New Glarus. They exert power in terms of pricing for craft beer in WI in a way that has no parallel in any other market in the US.

Agree that they act like a macro player in certain regards, but in the craft space.

Still anecdotal tho.

 

[beeraroundtown1]

You can't use Portland as a stand-in for the rest of the US. Yours is one of the most price-sensitive beer markets in the country, except for maybe WI? They don't want non-rare imports, and they don't want anything more expensive than a $5 pint.

...is Jon on TB? Can't remember.

Don’t know if he’s on here. From the sound of it, it seems like more of a national problem than just regional though. From a few people I’ve talked with on the distribution side, with shelf space at such a premium , imports are struggling to maintain shelf space.

 

[yeahnatenelson]

Don’t know if he’s on here. From the sound of it, it seems like more of a national problem than just regional though. From a few people I’ve talked with on the distribution side, with shelf space at such a premium , imports are struggling to maintain shelf space.

Chicago is a strong market for Fantome. The darker seasonals, like Noel, do hang around a long time but standard Saison and any new brands quickly evaporate -- Tropical Ghost would be a good recent example. It's been a good five years since I've seen Saison Fantome just sitting on a shelf in the city.

If the Chicago distributor brought in a pallet of Saison Fantome it would disappear in a week. I'll let someone else go into why these things don't happen in Chicago...

 

[yeahnatenelson]

Still anecdotal tho.

I'll be sure to keep my receipts next time I go cherry-picking at Discount so we can analyze the data. It's early days but I think the two of us can get to the bottom of this.

 

[ChairmanHoltz1]

I thought New York City had entered a new era of tome distribution when it saw the Forests, Desert Ghost, Vertignasse, Artist 2, Chocolat, etc. But it's been a long time since NYC's last Fantome infusion (as far as I can tell). I see new recipes and fresh batches of old favorites pop up on Etre all the time and NYC gets none of it. What does get here seems to sell reasonably well, but maybe I'm wrong. I'm not sure what explains NYC's tome dearth.

 

[beeraroundtown1]

I thought New York City had entered a new era of tome distribution when it saw the Forests, Desert Ghost, Vertignasse, Artist 2, Chocolat, etc. But it's been a long time since NYC's last Fantome infusion (as far as I can tell). I see new recipes and fresh batches of old favorites pop up on Etre all the time and NYC gets none of it. What does get here seems to sell reasonably well, but maybe I'm wrong. I'm not sure what explains NYC's tome dearth.

A lot of the Etre stuff doesn’t make it stateside. For the most part the batch either ends up in the US or Europe, unless he makes multiple batches.

 

[PurityControl88]

We’ve gotten some fun Fantome drops in Nebraska recently. The usual suspects and some others. I kept bugging the Shelton Bros guy and he listened and ordered more. The bottles are pricey but I think they sell ok, and there’s even a little interest from other people.

 

[regularjohn]

I wish i was loaded with cash i'd just send barrels to danyP so he can do more experimental stuff. Really bummed that i missed out on that tequila one but i know it was extremely limited.

 

[BigFrank]

All this talk got me thirsty. Promptly went to open this up. Spent the next 20 minutes cleaning the ceiling and walls from this gusher. Jeez, how do I prevent this? Tastes killer.

 

[ccbstl]

All this talk got me thirsty. Promptly went to open this up. Spent the next 20 minutes cleaning the ceiling and walls from this gusher. Jeez, how do I prevent this? Tastes killer.

Open them outside in a kiddie pool

 

[RyanG1]

All this talk got me thirsty. Promptly went to open this up. Spent the next 20 minutes cleaning the ceiling and walls from this gusher. Jeez, how do I prevent this? Tastes killer.

Channel your inner Jenna Jameson.

 

[PurityControl88]

All this talk got me thirsty. Promptly went to open this up. Spent the next 20 minutes cleaning the ceiling and walls from this gusher. Jeez, how do I prevent this? Tastes killer.

I like this beer mainly because it gushes everywhere. Always fun to watch someone open these.

 

[FoudreGuy]

and yet I routinely talk to Distributors who when they ask Shelton about Fantome availability they are constantly told there is none, or get no response at all. Virginia hasn't seen any Fantome in a couple years and even then it was only the super sporadic Noel and Hiver. I wish we got classic Saison....

I'm sure it won't happen but I'd love to see him dump Shelton. The Masonry (beer bar) is the only place that ever seems to get Fantome in Seattle and it's only for inflated on-site pricing. I have heard that people who run breweries distributed by Shelton can't even get Fantome when they ask for it.

Also, I bought a bottle of Magic Ghost in Brussels a few years ago and found it interesting that it had an English language Shelton brothers label on the back.

 

[PurityControl88]

I'm sure it won't happen but I'd love to see him dump Shelton. The Masonry (beer bar) is the only place that ever seems to get Fantome in Seattle and it's only for inflated on-site pricing. I have heard that people who run breweries distributed by Shelton can't even get Fantome when they ask for it.

Also, I bought a bottle of Magic Ghost in Brussels a few years ago and found it interesting that it had an English language Shelton brothers label on the back.

I can't help but wonder then, where does it all go? As I mentioned earlier, we get a variety in Nebraska but maybe a case or two when something new comes out. I have a few spots in KC I have for tomes, but for almost a year now it's been the same stuff on the shelf.

 

[FoudreGuy]

We’ve gotten some fun Fantome drops in Nebraska recently. The usual suspects and some others. I kept bugging the Shelton Bros guy and he listened and ordered more. The bottles are pricey but I think they sell ok, and there’s even a little interest from other people.

I am always insanely jealous at the 3F and Fantome that Beertopia gets on IG and whenever I visit my in-laws in Omaha. All those cases of $12 HF Farmers Wave bottles, too (but that's a Good Life Provisions thing so I can't complain there).

 

[FoudreGuy]

I can't help but wonder then, where does it all go?

Because this is more fun than other more important things I could be doing, I did a little search for Fantome on Total Wine's website.

Nothing available locally. Shocking.

But!!

Fantome Pissenlit - Chesterfield, MO
Fantome Chocolat - Jacksonville, FL
Fantôme Printemps - Clearwater, FL
Fantôme Hiver - Spokane, WA (WOW, someting in the state and the only Fantome I've ever seen at Bottleworks)
Fantome Forest Ghost - Huntersville, NC
Fantome Artist No 2. - Charlotte (Myers Park), NC
Fantome Dark White - Charlotte (Myers Park), NC
Fantome De Noel - Roseville, CA

 

[yeahnatenelson]

I can't help but wonder then, where does it all go?

To hear Dany tell it, Shelton doesn't want any new SKU's so they stay in Belgium.

 

[FoudreGuy]

One of my best friends is going to be in France for three weeks and was hoping to take a day trip to Belgium and visit the brewery in Soy (he's staying two hours south in Reims), but he'd be there on a Sunday which doesn't work. Any good options where he can find some bottles in either Reims, or near the brewery or the Orval area?

 

[PurityControl88]

To hear Dany tell it, Shelton doesn't want any new SKU's so they stay in Belgium.

That's unfortunate. I guess I'll keep shopping online and shipping from Belgium. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[MooseLang]

(Link to media)



Pairs well.

 

[regularjohn]

(Link to media)



Pairs well.

 

[nachojon]

Portland OR Tome fiends, Saison on tap and some good bottles at World Foods, 9th and Everett

 

[beeraroundtown1]

Portland OR Tome fiends, Saison on tap and some good bottles at World Foods, 9th and Everett

What bottles do they have? Need to find me more Lea Journey

 

[nachojon]

What bottles do they have? Need to find me more Lea Journey

Saison, Hiver, DMD off the top of my head

 

[stakem1]

Finally got all 3 batches of Tous les D'iape in the fridge. Strange how I had zero issue locating my bottles of b1 but b2 was hiding pretty good.

Anyhoo... color me surprised that all 3 have unique labels. Upper left hand corner has a small icon I assume to be the opponent’s flag for each year and corresponding best before end of 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Drank these (or at least tried to) on Saturday.
Batch 1 is still king of limeaide gloriousness.
Batch 2 exploded upon opening. There might have been 5oz left in the bottle after the foam died down.
Batch 3 tastes like most of the fresh tome offerings ive had in like the past year. Very distinct clean yeast profile and excessively bitter. Not a fan.

 

[regularjohn]

tonton from lazerviking thanks man. first time with this one

malty bread base followed by a funky orange zest finish, doesn't taste like 8% ABV at all.....great in the heat.

 

[TempDownAtKZUG]

A few months ago I did an Etre order for all of the Tomes available that I hadn't had before (excluding some of the expensive Santes). To this point, Ton Ton has been my absolute favorite (and a top Tome overall).

 

[MooseLang]

A few months ago I did an Etre order for all of the Tomes available that I hadn't had before (excluding some of the expensive Santes). To this point, Ton Ton has been my absolute favorite (and a top Tome overall).

That's probably partially because it's the oldest release on there (outside of the old Santes). So it's had time to dry out and develop some Tome funk in the bottle. Ton Ton at first was really peppery and bitter, but after the last bottle I had a month or two ago, I definitely wish I had more!

I'm hesitant to open any Tome anymore unless I know it's at least 6 months old. The Reverse Haze Boi, if you will.