Delirium Noël

Brewed by Brouwerij Huyghe
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Melle, Belgium

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

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.

UPDATED: AUG 30, 2008 Cloudy brown color with almost no head. Aroma had distinct smell of burbon and spices with a very distinctive taste of spices, burbon, and over ripened fruits. Overall its not for me but well worth the experiance. This beer seems to be for the person who drinks Jack and Coke and does not know they like beer yet.

Poured a reddish brown color with a very small off white head. Aroma was of dark fruits, some spices, and yeast. Flavor was very yeasty and had a lot of spices, very reminiscent of a winter warmer, and also the added fruitness of the other Deliriums.

Brown/amber color with large white soapy head. Aroma and flavor is of spices, brown sugar, fruits and yeast. Syrupy on the palate, with a spicy and sweet finish.

Fantastic brew! deep reddish hue with a medium but thick off white head. aroma is nice wintery mix of malt, caramel, spices and dark fruits. flavor is same with a great balance.

33cl bottle from Willow Bend Liquors (Tampa, FL). Pours a dark brown red with thick and creamy light-tan head. Good retention and lacing. Aroma is sweet malt, cinnamon, raisin, dark ripe fruits, hints of vanilla. Flavor is very similar with notes of dark ripe fruit, sweet malt, some caramel and spice. Medium body with a sweet finish. Interesting Christmas ale.

33cl, from De Hopduvel Gent, complex X-Mas brew, cloudy, rocky head, good brew