Delirium Noël

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

A well aged corked bottle that I have had around for quite some time and just now got around to drinking, served in my St Bernardus chalice, some cork leakage detected on the bottle:

Displays a deep bronze hue with a quickly disappearing fizzy head but traces of carbonation still come forth, leaves a oily film on the glassware. The aroma has notes of ripe apricot and fig, juniper berry and light coriander, caramelized and bready malts, honey and other earthy and vinous esters. The taste starts with sweet ripened fruits and heavy malting with an interesting twang on the sides of the tongue that is both spicy and even a bit salty. There is a bit of sherry like note giving a vinous quality to the finish. While the beer is warming, it is not powerful and seem to flame out at the end. The aftertaste had both lingering white pepper and honey notes. Smooth and lush but much like the taste it falls just short of a knockout. Aging may have mellowed it out too much, I don’t know. My least favorite of the three Delirium releases but still worthy of another try .

Dark orange, lang lasting white head, sour, long aftertaste. Maybe served too warm.

Poured a medium amber color. Aromas and flavors were fruity. Picked up mostly peaches. Sweet malt, dark fruit, and some spice. Medium bodied. Not as complex as some of the other big name Belgian holiday beers.

sampled at Cellar’s Wine & Spirits in St Paul, MN. A 2007 vintage. Pours a slight hazy caramel brew with a fast dissolving off-white head that disipates to a fine film and ring. Aroma of caramel malt, a touch of raisin, yeast, some dry spice and some toffee. Taste is medium bodied, light carbonation , with flavors of dried pitted fruit, cramel malt and some holiday spice. Finish has a high alcohol metallic texture with a caramel and spice aftertaste.

750mL bottle dated 3/06 (don’t know if that’s a bottling date or BB). Poured a fiery translucent red with a short cap of beige head.. left some lacing as it descended. Aroma picked up clove spiciness, pineapple, apple, and vinous notes... definitely has a punch behind it! Flavor increases in complexity and power as it progresses through the mouth.. light, sweet pineapple and mild peppery spices give the first impression.. picking up almost gin-like alcohol power, apples, and white grapes over the middle... full on boozy finish with the aforementioned array of lighter fruits and spices. Heavier body to it with soft carbonation.. warm finish. Nice one!

US version with X-mas name. Pours dark with some head. Aged about two years. Yeast and spice in nose. Drinks very well, with light chocolate. 10% is hidden but everpresent.

Draught. At Cole’s, in Buffalo NY. Poured deep clear mahogany with a smallish off-white head. Aroma of Christmas spices (nutmeg, cinnamon), fruit cake, deep roast caramel malt, noticeable alcohol. Flavour is also spices and fruit, lighter roast caramel malt, stronger alcohol and unfortunately a touch of metal, with an unpleasant sourness developing as it warmed. Mouthfeel syrupy, a bit harsh, salty even. Not bad, but better as aromatherapy - just sniff it and mellow out.

Draft @ Prespa in Buffalo. Rudolf and I showed our great math skills spending $6 each for two glass of the beer we had put back on the shelf at Premier because it was $8.99 a bottle. LOL. Served far too cold, had to wait for it to warm up. Ruby amber body, with a small white head. Touch of solventy alcohol in the aroma. Sweet malt, but not much coming through in the aroma. Sweet malty flavour with some sugary Belgian character. Very fruity at times. Medium to full bodied. (3+)