Carlyle Delirium de Carlyle

Brewed by Carlyle Brewing Company
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Rockford, Illinois USA

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

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Clear copper almost glowing with a medium head and fantastic lacing. The nose is strong yeasts with pepper and spices. The taste is WOW big punch of hops, alcohol, malts, there is some woodyness to it here and there. This thing really is a beast.

Draught @ Brewpub: This one poured a clear, golden color. There wasn’t much of a head on it, but it left lots of lacing down the glass. It has an interesting nose. I got some grapefuit hops amoung the corriander. There were also some hints of yeastiness and breadiness. NO alcohol to the nose. It has an interesting taste, Some sweetness, with notes of a typical Belgain strong, but with a bit of a bitter bite. Nice!

On tap at the brewpub, served in a goblet. Pale copper colored with a medium-sized white head that is partially lasting. Very floral aroma - perfumy pineapple, honey, clover. Resinous pine flavor - wow is this Belgian hopped up! - pronounced orange rind, nectarine flesh. Dry, fruity finish. Moderate-to-high carbonation, but it works well with the rather high bitterness. Some sweet candi sugar/Karo syrup/rock candy sweetness, especially in the finish, gives a very nice bitter/sweet mix and puts the "Belgain" in "Belgain Strong Ale." Much different than I expected, but very warming and good. I wish I had more time to spend at the pub, as I would have had another one of these!

Sample at the brewpub. Almost clear light gold, smallish but lasting head, luminous and shiny...bready-sweet nose, lots of floral character (lilac, honeysuckle)....sweet, very thick malty body with underlying sourdough yeastiness, wonderful herbal characteristics including bitter rosemary and thyme...caramel and hints of butter, vanilla...finish very dry, herbal, lightly hoppy and clean...wonderfully complex, and even the light metallic hint at the very finish doesn’t spoil it for me. Best yet from Carlyle and damn if the others don’t think the same...Muzzlehatch out.

Extremely clear gold in color with a jiggly white head. Aroma is honey, anise, clover and pepper. Bittering agents are already at work in the nose. Very thick and creamy on the palate. Amplified hops and malts are succinct, spawning an unexpected big beer from this little brewery. It’s always encouraging when the role of the malts isn’t neglected in this style. Some grassy and pine characteristics, joined with herbal accents of rosemary and lavender. Finish is hops in full f’ing force. One impressive monster.