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.)

Brouwerij Huyghe - Delirium Noël

For the Twelfth Beer of Christmas, we went back to where we started the year. But we must have had a few too many because we're seeing pink elephants.

At 358 years of age, Brouwerij Huyghe has a history of numerous names, owners, and beers.  But the current incarnation is certainly the most celebrated.

Deep mahogany with a light haze, the beer forms a nice head due to strong carbonation.  However, the head doesn't stick around and quickly slips away to a thin white cap.  The lacing is minimal and leaves a fine mesh that washes away with the tilting of the glass.

The strong aroma floats free of the glass and filled the space around me.  It's a very nice mix of sweet malt with heavy splashes of spice. Mostly black pepper and cinnamon.

The flavor matched the aroma: sweet with pepper and cinnamon.  There was a yeastiness to each drink, too.  Given the very high alcohol content, 10%, the esters were much lighter than I would have believed.  It came through, of course, but more as a mildly warming aftertaste than an overarching characteristic.  Be warned, though, the alcohol is definitely there.  By the bottom of the bottle, my ears and cheeks were a little flush.

Brandon commented on the yeast in both the smell and taste.  Aaron remarked on the warming alcohol finish.  And Wyatt said the finish was surprisingly tart.  He added that this was an "I'll just have one" kind of beer for him.

Ratings

Aaron: 9.5
Brandon: 9.5
Wyatt: 9.5
Tracy: 9

Stats
Brewer: Brouwerij Huyghe
Location: Melle, Belgium
Website: http://www.Delirium.be
Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale
Alcohol Content: 10.0% ABV
Interesting Note: Nearly 21 years ago, in April of 1992, "Confrerie van de Roze Olifant" (Brotherhood of the Pink Elephant) was formed to promote the ancient brewing traditions of Melle and, especially, Brouwerij Huyghe's flagship beer, Delirium Tremens.  In addition, they do charitable work and wear snazzy outfits.  There are currently on 23 members, but I'm going to send in my application to be an absentee professor.