Delirium Noël

Dark reddish brown with some clumpy brown floaties, a thin light tan head dissolves quickly. Strong alcohol aroma with some maltiness and strong spices. Warming spice flavors, strong malt and heavy alcohol with a spice finish and a solid carbonation.

A little boozier than I remember. Yeasty and fruity, and a little hot in the finish. It doesn’t quite come together in the end, but it’s still a solid brew. The alcohol presence takes a little away from this one, and I would give it higher marks if it wasn’t so noticeable.

33cl bottle from Belgianshop. It poured an amber colour with a very small white head that dissappeared fast in the glass. It has a fruity aroma that also smells of alcohol and malts. The flavour is spicy and tastes of syrup, alcohol and yeast. It has a lingering aftertaste.

I didn’t know Delirium made a winter brew until I saw this fine lady sitting on the shelf in a small local liquor store. Having partaken of and enjoyed their Tremens, which is my favorite of the two, and their Nocturnum, I of course had to try their winter brew, Noel.
Delirium Noel pours dark amber, almost burnt red-brown into my glass, peaking out in a small yet fluffy head which fades into a ring around my glass. Brussels lace and foam with each swirl. Sweet burnt sugars in the nose, maple, hints of spiced apples and pears, and a tinge of sweet liquor. A sweet lightly viscous body but not overbearing in weight and mouthfeel. A nice balance of full flavor and drinkability. Her palate is sweet like molasses and cooked spiced apples and pears. Her high ABV starts to warm almost immediately, almost like a fine brandy or other winter warmer liquors. A bit dry in the finish, Delirium Noel is overall a sweet, viscous brew practically bursting with sweetness which normally I would find overly cloying, but Noel succeeds where others sometimes fail in keeping a balanced body. I am almost reminded of sitting all bundled up in the dead of winter, Delirium Noel in hand, with a slice of fresh warm apple pie and a warm snifter of brandy for some nips in between. She finishes with a molasses apple pie brandy finish and lingers around afterward for a nip or two of citrus hip zing.
A fine holiday brew, never mind the fact that it is currently only August in Florida, and thus still raging hot outside. I tend to keep my apartment frigid like the aortic year round though so it works out. Delirium Noel will definitely be a winter brew I keep my out for this year. Maybe pick up a couple bottles; one to savor fresh and the other to savor later after a bit of aging.

Tasted this weekend, and as always Ilike anything Delirium!!! Dark brownish pour wtih a medium sized head. Smell is a malt-fest with booze and sweet fruit. Taste is sweet with some spice, yeast, dried fruit and a really nice mouthfeel. Bingo.