Delirium Tremens - Brouwerij Huyghe

EdwardLongshanks

4.03/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A svelte cavalier of belgians. It lacks the profound punch of some of my favorite world-class belgians, but it compares favorably to Unibroue La Fin Du Monde, a mighty offering from Quebec. Like Imperial IPAs, in my opinion, it's half content and half alcohol, if you catch my meaning. It's relatively light and deceiving on the tongue, but heavy on the nose and liver. I thoroughly adore this beer in lively company.

I appreciate the banana/alcohol nose. Never has anything so acrid been so pleasant.

It's not the best ever, but it borders on great. I will buy it again and again.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2012 05:43:29 | More by EdwardLongshanks

BEERMILER12

Maine

4.45/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a slightly hazy straw yellow color with 2 fingers worth of head that retains at around 1/4 of an inch for a while

S: Nice Belgian yeast fruitiness with a very light sour acidity and some estery alcohol

T: Follows the nose. Starts out nice and fruity, along with a slightly sour/acidic edge and then goes into some bready malts and the alcohol. Very well balanced, and the alcohol goes extremely well with the yeast and fruitiness

M: Light-medium bodied with moderate-high carbonation. Would like a little more body, but it's still solid

O: Absolutely one of the best BSPA's I've had. It's right up there with Duvel. A little pricey (as most Belgians are) but definitely worth it. Great beer!

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 05:07:48 | More by BEERMILER12

JamesMN

Minnesota

3.65/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: One of the palest/lightest beers I've seen. Visible effervescence and a large head with big soapy bubbles.

Aroma: Yeast and a hint of white grape. A sweet and subtle aroma overall.

Taste: Starts wet and almost juicy then the fruit tastes of pear and apple come through. Aftertaste is a little dry with some yeast flavor to it. Not much bitterness and no alcohol flavor.

Mouthfeel: Highly effervescent with above average drinkability. A little rough on the palate in the aftertaste.

Final Thoughts: A good beer but not really the type of Belgian beer I usually enjoy. Would I drink it again? Perhaps in a few years.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 02:07:49 | More by JamesMN

tectactoe

Michigan

4.39/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a sunshine yellow, bright golden color with a fluffy white head; volatile beer that produces a large head with a modest pour, moderate lacing on the way down. Some sediment floating around in this hazy, golden abyss of a beer. Nose is beautiful, full of sweet esters and savory alcohol. Deep spices, clove and pepper come to mind. Fruity sweetness from the malts and bread-like yeast are also apparent. First sip hits the mouth very crisp and tight, lots of carbonation. Warmth piles up from the alcohol, slightly medicinal in character. This is counterbalanced immediately by an abundance of sweet and fruity esters; bananas, bubblegum, cloves, pineapple, white pepper, apple skins - all noticeable on the palate. Slight bitterness and floral tones make their way into the beer near the tail end, giving a nice balance to the sweetness. The finish leaves your mouth with a yeast flavor in the back, complete with a decrescendo of sweetness, spice, and mild bitterness that fade out perfectly. Medium body, almost on the thick side - heavy carbonation.

This is my favorite brew from the guys over at Delirium. It's quite strong at 8.5% ABV and could easily sneak up on you, so take this one slow. You'll want to savor it, anyway. This is some top notch stuff.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2012 12:40:17 | More by tectactoe

martinlauridsen

Denmark

4.1/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into Westvleteren chalice.

Appearance: Semi-clear straw-yellow in color (similar to many Tripels). Nice, clean white, dense head with good retention (served in chalice). Very fine carbonation.

Smell: Citrusy with notes of cloves and prominent smell of Belgian yeast(s).

Taste: Much malty bitterness. I thought it was a little low on hoppiness (was expecting more from a PA). Nice aftertaste with mediocre alcohol.

Mouthfeel: Lots of very fine carbonation, almost champagne-like. Medium body.

Overall: I would say this falls into the Tripel category more than anything. Was expecting a much more hoppy sensation. It is very drinkable considerin
g the high ABV. Would definately do again.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2012 08:36:16 | More by martinlauridsen

1Nrwyscotch

Wisconsin

4.03/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

330 ml bottle poured into a pint glass.

Appearance. A nice golden color with a 4 finger head that lingers for awhile. A ton of bubbles with the pour.

Smell. Sweet fruit with some spice in the back ground.

Taste. It starts sweet and with a decent amount of citrus and then transitions to a bitter finish. Some decent hoppiness.

Mouthfeel. It has a light body with lots of carbonation.

Overall. It was balanced and very easy to drink for such a high alcohol beer. It was also the first Belgian Strong Pale Ale that Ive tried. It wont be the last.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2012 00:35:53 | More by 1Nrwyscotch

BigBarley

Texas

4.58/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A - Poured into a snifter, dark gold, cloudy, pale, with about a 3 or 4 finger head that retains impressively, bubbling loudly. Looks like a spectacular beer!

S - Complex, heavy wheat, mild banana esters, notes of clove, with a pale backing. Lots of sweet scent, touch of sour, wheat all over

T - Enters like a hefeweizen, wheat presence, mild banana, and then takes on a bubbling hoppy note, mild bitterness and a vague spicy touch. The head is very pale in character, and the body retains alot of wheat flavors, plus a strong, pleasantly bitter background. Very complex beer, each sip reveals something slightly different than the last.

M - Somehow refreshing and filling at once, with an absolutely delightful carbonation. Drinkable, swishable, and easy going, this is a beer that very sufficiently hides it's high ABV. Almost like a really hoppy hefeweizen.

O - This beer is enjoyable on many levels, those of a strong ale, a wit or hefe, and a pale ale. Such a complex ale with notes from all over, and a completely impressive pour. This is a beer that's worth the high price, not one I'd drink every day, even if I could, just because it's so unique and multi-layered that it deserves the status of a celebration beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 18:17:27 | More by BigBarley

ckollias

Maryland

4.5/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed this 12oz bottle out of a pint glass.

A: Pours a golden hue with a huge, 3-finger, white head that slowly dissipates leaving a nice trail and ending in a persistent lace.

S: Strong Belgian and malt aroma with a fruity sweet background.

T: Sweet Belgian candi and yeast flavor with a fruity and spicy taste.

M: Medium body and high carbonation.

O: Excellent strong Belgian brew!

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2012 01:48:09 | More by ckollias

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap @ Crooked Cue.

A - Pale yellow. One finger of white head with good retention.

S - A big Belgian candy sugar sweetness up front followed by Belgian yeast, clove, banana and a substantial bready malt base

T - Sweet candy sugar and big Belgian yeast flavours up front - clove, yeast, spice and light banana. The ABV is fairly warming.

M - Medium body. Creamy. Light carbonation.

Serving type: on-tap

10-19-2012 22:25:54 | More by TheSevenDuffs

Greywulfken

New York

4.03/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: medium gold-colored beer with a fluffy white head; shimmering film of fines bubbles and a slightly fuller collar persisted

S: Belgian yeasts and orchard fruits; slight background medicinal notes

T: a full and fruity beer, moderated by subtle, pale bitters and a brighter, yeasty overtone. Interesting sours (like lemony-ness) and earthier fruit and vegetal notes - a complex beer with a nice flavor profile

M: perfectly-weighted, well-carbonated; aftertaste was a little medicinal cough-droppy

O: this is a well-crafted and good-tasting beer, similar to a Duvel - but that may be its limiting factor: because it is so similar to a Duvel, without being superior (and probably being slightly less-available), it isn't probably a "return to" beer for me. All fans of Belgian pales need to give it a try, though, because it is a good example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2012 23:58:05 | More by Greywulfken

duracell

Quebec (Canada)

4.48/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

330mL bottle into a tulip glass.

A - Honey/straw body with a large, white, rocky head with a medium-low retention. A lot of yeast in there making it very cloudy. 4/5

S - Very good smell of malt and yeast (honey, herbal, spices, caramelized appel). Biscuity. 4.5/5

T - A lot going on in there! Good malted sweetened with a lot of Belgian character coming from the yeast. A hint of acidic notes and a good carbonation to sustain the rest. 4.5/5

M - Medium to full bodied, this beer is super smooth. Level of bitterness is just right to balance the malt. 4.5/5

O/D - Excellent drinkability and very much to style, if you are into Belgians just seek it out! Great beer!

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2012 00:17:18 | More by duracell

Murrhey

Montana

3.78/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 11.2 oz bottle into a wine glass. Reviewed live.

A- Two fingers of thick white head with large bubbles. Nice retention, no lacing. Goldenrod color with high clarity but some cloudiness.

S- Sweet yeasts, bubblegum, alcoholic esters. Honeycrisp apples. Light, sweet and fruity.

T- Bitter strong pale ale. Can taste hoppiness and plenty of booze. Strong brewing yeasts, but still some candied fruits flavors. Not my favorite, but a good representation of the style.

M- Extremely well carbonated, maybe overly so. Vinous mouthfeel, leaves a bit of a sticky dry linger.

O- Above average but not world class, in my opinion. I've had better Belgian Strongs.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2012 05:48:49 | More by Murrhey

gcamparone

Rhode Island

4.03/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served on tap at mews tavern into an 8 oz snifter

A- I didn't pour this but the head was disappointing. Golden clear body with minimal lacing

S-tart, citrus, sweet honey

T-citrus, honey, wheat upfront. Nice hoppy aftertaste

One of my first Belgium strong pale ales, and I like it. A nice balanced brew

Serving type: on-tap

10-04-2012 01:51:11 | More by gcamparone

UnderPressure

South Carolina

3.83/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pale golden straw color. Substantial carbonation. Huge head. Sediment flyin around like a snow globe.

Belgian funk in the aroma. Belgian yeast and spice.

Nice flavor. Crisp, bitter, refreshing. Simple. Spices. Hard to articulate. Nice. Definite Belgian flavor.

Light bodied overall. Very high carbonation.

I don't have a lot of experience with Belgians. This is definitely one of them. It's good.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2012 16:09:42 | More by UnderPressure

TriageStat

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass with two fingers of a creamy white head. Minimal retention, head dissipated quickly after pouring. Very effervescent. Poured a clear, golden straw color. Minimal lacing. The spicy smell is quite enjoyable, with notes of cloves, flowers, and Belgian yeasties. Finishes crisp and dry, citrusy aftertaste. Light and thin mouthfeel, very carbonated.
Overall, a very well made and enjoyable beer. There is a reason this beer was granted the title of "Best Beer in the World". Enjoy with a few hunks of mild cheddar and you'll be in heaven.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2012 00:33:36 | More by TriageStat

mscudder

Georgia

3.88/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a snifter. Nice smoke upon opening.

A - A cloudy, slightly orange, straw yellow. Frothy two-finger pale head. Not the best retention.

S - Light fruits: apple, pear, lemon and banana. A touch of grain and yeast makes this a soft pleasure on the nose.

T - Strong flavors of fruit, some hops come along with these flavors. A bit of pepper exists makes this one bite a bit more than I would like.

M - Light-plus body with high carbonation. Very dry.

O - Not a bad beer but just too sharp with the dry carbonation for my taste.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2012 04:01:21 | More by mscudder

DannyHartman

4.45/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is one of the best beers I've ever had.... I had it for the first time in Berlin, Germany at a place called "Haus der 100 Biers".... I've bought many more 4-packs from Whole Foods since then.

As I pour a 12 oz. bottle into a pint glass, a huge 3+ inch head appears atop a beautiful hazy/cloudy gold brew.... There's very visible Belgian yeast present with lively bubbles throughout the drink.... This due to how highly carbonated it is.

I take a whiff, and get lots of upfront Belgian yeast that brings funk with some sweet and spicy notes.... There's clove, banana, and even a little apple and pear.

During the drink, I immediately get sweet Belgian yeast.... Following that, I get spicy hoppiness, citrus and banana.... Great tasting easy drink.

I'd say this is a "perfectly" medium-bodied brew with tons of carbonation.... Creamy and crisp.... Awesomely balanced.

Overall, I love this beer.... It's a very easy drink.... Especially, for a Belgian.... It's a great representation of Belgians perfectly balancing all the complex smells and flavors in their recipes.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2012 18:22:47 | More by DannyHartman

Danny1217

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Hazy golden color with a big white head. Smell is rather subdued for a Belgian, but I smell some of the Belgian yeast, light fruits and some spices. I taste a bit of banana and clove here, as well as the Belgian yeast, but there is something else going on. Some kind of spice taste gives it an extra bite compared to some other BSPAs. Delicious. Medium bodied with somewhat light carbonation. A nice crisp finish going down. You never know the alcohol content with how smooth this one drinks.

Might be my new favorite BSPA.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2012 04:10:35 | More by Danny1217

mooseo

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

11.2oz bottle into Delirium Tremens tulip. Ohh yeahhh.

A - Light golden yellow with a creamy, titanic white head.

S - Banana, apples, Belgian yeast, and cloves.

T - A tasty mix of sweet apple, banana, pear, and bready malt. The Belgian yeast is very evident throughout, with clove, pepper, and grassy hops adding complexity.

M - Medium body with a crisp, sharp taste. High carbonation, with a semi-dry finish.

O - One of my favorite beers. Flavorful, balanced, and highly drinkable. The alcohol is masked well and sneaks up fast. This is a beer that is welcome on almost any occasion, year round.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2012 03:20:36 | More by mooseo

mikeg67

New Jersey

4.1/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

On tap at the brewery. Pours hazy orange with a short-lived white head. Aroma is of ripe fruit, some citrus notes and caramel. Body is medium and slightly crisp. Caramel and biscuit malt, herbal and piney hops and ripe fruit fill the mouth. Long dry finish. Tasty brew.

Serving type: on-tap

08-28-2012 14:43:01 | More by mikeg67

SolipsismalCat

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a snifter.

A: Hazy golden yellow with a two-finger, white, fizzy head that lasted several minutes. Nice lacing.

S: Yeast, dark fruit, and spice.

T: Moderate sweetness and light bitterness. Light and fruity. Belgian yeast.

M: Medium bodied with soft carbonation. Crisp and slightly smooth. Just slightly warm going down.

O: This beer looks phenomenal in the glass, and it has a very interesting flavor. I like it a lot.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2012 01:44:07 | More by SolipsismalCat

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4.13/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served on tap at Cork City Pub in Hoboken, NJ

A: Pours a clear medium golden yellow in color with some orange highlights when held up to the light and moderate amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a three finger tall dense white head that reduces to a thin film covering the entire surface of the beer and a thick ring at the edges of the glass. Significant amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate to strong aromas of light fruits (apple), candi sugar, and peppery spices.

T: There is a nice complexity to the flavor of this beer with some light to moderate amounts of sweetness. There are notes of pale malts with some fruity sweetness - apple, lemon, and pear - as well as candi sugar. There are some peppery spices and a mild bitterness in the finish.

M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Significant amounts of dryness in the finish.

O: This is a big beer but the alcohol is well hidden. Very enjoyable and easy to drink but maybe a little too strong to have multiple in a session. One of my favorite beers in this style.

Serving type: on-tap

08-26-2012 23:16:25 | More by dbrauneis

Treyliff

West Virginia

3.98/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- pours golden and clear with several bubbles dancing up the glass, smally frothy white head that lingers, no lacing.

S- sweet, estery, medicinal, clove, Phelonic, a bit of sweet fruit.

T- honey, bubble gum, light tropical fruitiness, herbal hops kick on the back end, finishes dry with faint booze.

M- ligh-med carbonation, medium body, velvety

O- very drinkable and refreshing, hides the booze incredibly well and can sneak up on you quick. I do note that I think I prefer the bottled version slightly over tap.

Serving type: on-tap

08-24-2012 03:30:04 | More by Treyliff

XicanoBeerRun

Texas

4.23/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2011 cork popped right out. Poured like champagne: yellow body with a white head. The foam did not recede rapidly, but sat on top of the beer.

S: Belgian yeast, chamomile, slight booze.

T: white grapes, toasted bread, corn flakes, metalic aftertaste, complex.

Dry, crisp finish.

I’ll have another.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2012 19:27:55 | More by XicanoBeerRun

BlurryVisi0n

New York

3.85/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served in a over sized wine glass.

Appearance: very light amber and light bubbles though the body.

Smell: smells like nothing. Yes you already smelled it without drinking it.

Taste: So much going on here and you are left yeast, hops, barley. Did I forget how great it tastes. One sip isn't enough to judge you need the whole glass and don't even share it.

Mouth: medium to heavy and sup sticky taste. Mmmm

Overall: Amazing how weak the smell is and how great it tastes, I mean the difference could rename the beer to "oxymoron". Still regardless it smells like nada but it is still a man among boys. Salud.

Serving type: on-tap

08-14-2012 03:03:07 | More by BlurryVisi0n