Sunday, January 5, 2014

Brouwerij Huyghe - Delirium Nocturnum

For the Twelfth Beer of Christmas, we're seeing pink elephants again. Just like last year on our Twelfth Beer.

Brouwerij Huyghe
Delirium Nocturnum
Last year we ended the Twelve Beers with Delirium Noël. With my enjoyment of that final beer last year, it seemed appropriate to end this year with a Delirium, too. Maybe next year we'll go for the Delirium Tremens, their most award winning beer.

Just barely translucent, the Nocturnum glows a deep ruby red when held up to a light. The head frothed up quickly with large bubbles that cleared away quickly leaving behind a moderate cap that trailed several strands of thick lacing down the glass.

Like most Belgians, there's a spiciness to the aroma, although I found it to be fairly faint and masked behind the sweet malt, date, and alcohol smells. If you dwell on the aroma, and you might as well because it's very nice, there are also whiffs of yeast and a cider.

The taste is both sweet and tart, though leaning more towards sweet. The Belgian spice is there, of course, in the form of pepper and something else that I can't put my finger on. Maybe something like a mild chai tea. Warm alcohol chases every drink. There's little to no hop presence in the taste, leaving this drink very smooth and a little bit creamy on the palate.

This Delirium, my second ever, was an excellent choice. But I doubt I will wait until next year's Twelve Beers to try the Delirium Tremens. I think that taste test is going to be just around the corner for me. I suggest you give it a try, too.

Stats
Brewer: Brouwerij Huyghe
Location: Melle, Belgium
Website: http://www.Delirium.be
Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale
Alcohol Content: 8.5% ABV
Interesting Note: Last year Brouwerij Huyghe had it's first Beer and Woman Day where women were invited to the brewery to brew 125 hectoliters (appx 3300 gallons or about 200 kegs) of their Deliria beer. Due to the success of last years' event, this year they'll be holding the second Beer and Women Day on January 25, 2014, when they'll brew 500 hectoliters (over 13,200 gallons or about 825 kegs). I think that might be a great day to teach Mrs. Twelve Beers to brew. She's watched a few times, but maybe it's time for her to brew her own!  I'll update you and let you know if it happened (and if it did, how it went.)

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