Delirium Tremens
Background
In 1902, Leon Huyghe started working in the local brewery at the ‘Appelhoek’ site, in Melle, Belgium (near Ghent). Documentary evidence dates brewing at the ‘Appelhoek’ site back to 1654.
Married to Delfina Van Doorselaer, a brewer’s daughter, Leon had always been fascinated with brewing. And just four years later (1906), he purchased the brewery – at the time called Brouwerij-Mouterij ‘Den Appel’ (The Apple).
Leon renamed the brewery in 1938 to Brouwerij Huyghe. The company initially brewed a regular pilsner. But in the 1980’s, the small-scale pils brewer turned itself into a modern brewery that produced top-fermented beers. And today, Brouwerij Huyghe produces 12 different brand labels of beers – La Guillotine, Averbode, Floris, Campus, St. Idesbald, Blanche Des Neiges, Mongozo, Artevelde, Villers, Biere du Cosair, Export and Delirium.
Brouwerij Huyghe (image courtesy of Brouwerij Huyghe)
The Delirium brand label features 7 different beers, with one called Delirium Tremens. By far Brouwerij Huyghe’s biggest selling beer, Delirium Tremens accounts for around one-third of Brouwerij Huyghe’s production output. One of Belgium’s most popular beers and exported worldwide, the Delirium Tremens name is far better known than the name of its maker.
Description
Delirium Tremens was first brewed on 26 December 1988. Brouwerij Huyghe’s brewing team developed the beer at the specific request of Italian beer enthusiasts with a preference for this type of beer. The bottle-conditioned beer is a Belgian Golden Strong Ale with an ABV of 8.5%. Delirium Tremens contains just pale malt, Styrian Golding and Saaz hops, three different types of yeast, and water.
The flavor character of Delirium lies in the 3 different types of yeast used for fermentation. Unique packaging also contributes to the allure of the beer. Instead of glass, the beer’s bottles are made from Cologne-style ceramic, which contributes to the beer’s distinctive brand image. A pink elephant adorns the bottle. The beer is also now available in cans.
The term “delirium tremens” references a medical condition with severe symptoms that alcoholics can experience during withdrawal, such as tremors, confusion, and hallucinations. The beer’s name alludes to these symptoms due to its high alcohol content. Hence, the Pink Elephant logo.
Nominated as the “best beer in the world” in 1997 by author Stuart A. Kallen, Delirium Tremens won a gold medal during the World Beer Championships in Chicago in 1998. The beer has since won other awards and the brewery’s other beers have also won multiple awards.
Review
My Delirium Tremens in a can poured a clear golden color with a frothy white foam. An aroma of slightly grainy sweet malt, banana, bubble gum, pear, spice, and yeasty bread bursts forth with a definite underlining presence of alcohol. On first sip the taste exudes banana, bubblegum, clove, soft malt, and pear with candied sugar notes. The beer finished dry with a mild, lingering peppery bitterness. Texturally the beer felt medium bodied, creamy and smooth. There’s an assertive alcohol presence that is warming but not overpowering. A persistent effervescence supported the layered lacing on my glass as I drank. Overall, Delirium Tremens provided bold, strong but rounded flavors that I found excellent.
Delirium Tremens Profile