Delirium Noël

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

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

Crushed with Jakebra. Very fruity nose, with something else thats different and interesting, but maybe not good. Flavor is the same but the finish stings in a bad way. But its aight.

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.

Purchased @ Ashur Liquor down in the Imperial zona. 750 ml bottle consumed August 2007. I was surprised to see this none the lease since I had never seen it before. I assume this has had some shelf life aged on it but to not to bad because of painted bottle. Anyways, the ale sits gently in the glass as a burnt red with plenty of sediment floating. The head is a lively thick topping at first but will diminish to a naked liquid. Aroma has a big malt profile with strong presence of authentic yeast. The flavor has started to go flat a bit but it will also hold a nice spice and heat.

Bottle at De Zwaan cafee, Bratislava. Dark brown color with huge white head. Aroma of dark fruit, caramel malt, spices. Taste, caramel malt, burned sugar, dark fruit, Christmas spices. Good beer.

Definitely has an alcohol fire to it but it doesn’t overpower the ale itself, which is nice and thick and a great strong ale.

750ml bottle labelled "Delirium Christmas", dated 2009. Very nice organic head, decent clear amber-red colour. Aroma of licorice, malt. Taste is soft barley with a huge alcohol finish, hints of fresh cherries in the middle. Okay and decent, a little heavy and overbearing. But, I guess, you would expect that of a Christmas beer!

Creamy woody brown red/cedar colour. Full doughy aroma with loads of berries and nuts. Caramel soaked dough, like bread pudding, but instead of burboun I get a maltier alcohol with a background of nutmeg and other spices. Solid and full.

On tap @ Prespa in Buffalo. Reddish amber underneath a frothy beige head. Malty, fruity: melon, orange; and spicy: coriander; also with a bit of caramel. Medium to full body, very little alcohol detected. Very good.