Delirium Noël (Christmas)
Brouwerij Huyghe

 

On tap

Pours a dark amber with a two finger creamy head that has great retention and leaves plenty of lacing. Smells of Belgian candy sugar, orange peel, brown sugar & fruit cake. Taste is malty with brown sugar, Followed by some orange peel and a hint of cherry. The finish is yeasty with brown bread. Medium body with moderate carbonation, foamy mouthfeel and creamy finish

 

On tap, pours a slightly murky brown. An inch of off-white foam. Smells and tastes better than it looks. Toffee malts dominate, along with the noticeable Belgian yeast profile. Enjoyable beer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2/5/23 Poured from bottle bought from Washington Beer Store. Sunday afternoon tasting.

Color is a hazy brown with tan lacing.

Aroma is honey, stone, and clove.

Flavor is intense sweet malty, sour cherry, clove, honey. Had a nice bite on the sides and tip of the tongue. Finishes with a drawing and drying if the mouth.

333 ml bottle
Bottle Date: L19 21183
Glass: tulip snifter
ABV: 10%


Look:
Deep burnished copper color that is more than partially opaque. The head is 2+ fingers of beige/light tan foam that takes a while to dissipate and leave very good lacing. I can make out a column of bubbles at the very bottom of the glass (the narrowest point)

Aroma:
Very sweet dark fruits - raisins, currants, plums, cherries, maybe dates. Brown and candi sugar. Some baking spices such as allspice and nutmeg.

Taste:
Follows the nose. There are some caramel notes present as well as cranberry ones. The spices get the addition of some clove notes. As the sip progresses, the spices increase some in intensity and are joined by a light earthy bitterness. The sip finishes sweet, spicy, and almost dry. The alcohol is well hidden.

Feel:
Smooth and rich. The alcohol, while hidden, does provide some warmth. The body is medium-full.

Overall:
A fine specimen of a Belgian Dark Strong Ale, and a pleasant Holiday Ale, though not my favorite. This brew does come across as a bit understated.

I liked it. Belgian with a bit of cherry. Perfect for the holidays or a bit of chilly weather. If Mad Elf turns you off because it's overwhelming or a little too syrupy, this would be more up your alley.

 

 

L - Copper brown with one finger fizzy tan head that dissipated quickly to a film.
S - Sweet malt, cinnamon, cherry, nutmeg, caramel.
T - Taste follows the nose with addition of vanilla and candy sugar.
F - Medium body and high fizzy carbonation.
O - Well balanced and delightful.

 

L - brown with a light tan head that dissipates somewhat quickly leaving behind a thin cap and slight lacing
S - Tons of floral spice, fruity esters, banana, cloves, nugmeg, some Belgian yeast, dried fruits
T - Complex: floral spice and fruity esters intermixed well and throughout - prominent banana, cloves, nutmeg as well as dried dark fruits - some dates, figs, and raisin, some citrus (orange),
F - light to medium bodied with high carbonation
O - A well done Belgian dark strong ale

 

Served from 22 oz cork and cage bottle in a goblet.
L: redish brown with a light khaki colored head with tight little bubbles that retains for awhile very little lacing.
S: sweet malt and a little nutty I get some dark fruit like raisin, cherry,some cinnamon, clove and nutmeg
T: the smell Carrie’s Over sweet and malty with dark fruits with just a touch of bitterness to balance it out.
F: very smooth mouth feel med/rich body and med. carbonation.
O: These are my favorite types of beers so I love it!