The Spirit World

My first beer of Christmas is Delirium Noël (10% abv) from the Huyghe Brewery (Brouwerij Huyghe) in Melle, Belgium. This beer is readily available in most areas of the US. I base this on my extensive knowledge of two places, north Florida and Long Island. If you can get a beer in either of these places, then I figure you can get it anywhere.

History buffs might like to know about the history of the Huyghe Brewery. The brewery has been around for a hundred years, but it’s modern incarnation dates back to the mid-80s when it started brewing stronger beers for export to the US and other countries. The brewery’s most famous beer is Delirium Tremens, first released on December 26th, 1989. Delirium Tremens has won many awards and it one of the best examples of Belgian Strong Golden Ale.

Delirium Christmas or Noël was first released in 2000. It has more in common with the Delirium Nocturnum than the Tremens. Delirium Noël has a hazelnut color and has that characteristic aroma of Belgium. Every time I open a bottle of Belgium beer and breathe in that aroma it immediately transports me across the Atlantic.

Eyes: Pour the beer gently into your glass. If you don’t have an actual Delirium Noël glass, then you could use a large wine glass (something with a round bottom and a stem). The head forms early and powerfully, erupting from the bottom of the glass and surging up into a tower of velvety foam that over several minutes becomes rocky. [4/4]

Nose: The aroma (as I said) is characteristic of Belgium, a sweet maltiness with a hint of candy sugar. If decanted gently the beer will be clear and a rich, hazelnut brown. Hold the beer up to the light. You’ll see just how gassy this beer is. Think Champagne. The bubbles will be swirling and churning and sustaining that luxurious frothy head. [3/3]

Taste: Delirium Noël has a complex taste. Initially, it’s tart but also sweet. It’s full bodied and thick, filling the mouth. This is a beefstake of a beer. What you’ll notice about this beer is it’s heat. This beer is alcoholic, but not unpleasantly so. This is a beer to warm you up on a cold winter’s night. I detect some woodiness, an oaky flavor that is common in wines that a conditioned in oak barrels. Some Belgian beers are aged in oak barrels, but I don’t think that it where this flavor is coming from. Denise (my wife) said that she detected a slight metallic flavor. Her taster is better than mine, so I’ll defer to her on that one. [8/10]

Overall: I don’t know if there are any spices in this beer, but for me this beer finishes spicy and reminds me of black cherries. This beer is immensely satisfying. It will definitely infuse you with holiday cheer. At 10% abv and in a 75 cl bottle it’s a beer worth sharing with someone you love. [2/3]

My Rating: 17/20 or 8.5/10 (Note: the ten point scale rating is provided to comply with rating standard for this blog.)

Pro: This is a big, full, flavorful beer, pleasing in all sensory aspects.

Con: Lots of sediment due to secondary fermentation. Must pour carefully for clarity.

Other ratings for Delirium Noël: RateBeer.com, Beer Advocate.