Belgian Holiday Ale
Brewed by The Huyghe Brewery
Melle/Ghent, Belgium
10% alcohol by volume
Approx. $8.99 per 750ml bottle
The Belgians make the finest beers in the world. Certainly, the British and Americans maintain respectable brewing traditions, and the Germans regard their beers with an almost religious purity. None of these countries, nor any other in the world for that matter, approach the creative zeal of Belgium's many masterpieces of zymurgy.
It is traditional that, during the holidays, the brewers of Belgium release even more extravagent versions of their already unique ales. Most often they are brewed the year before and held in careful cellaring until they are aged to mellow deliciousness.
Such is the case with Delerium Noel, the third and most potent of the pink elephants in the Huyghe family brewery's stable. Not as dense and sweet as the Nocturnum, nor as bright and clove/fruity as the standard Tremens, the Noel is it's own beer. While the previous two seem to be representations of Dubbels and Trippels respectively, the Noel seems to be done along the style of a Quadruple. In fact, it reminds me a lot of the LaTrappe Quadruplus from the keg.
Note the hazy, brownish red color, and a fairly impressive head on top for a beer that is 10% alcohol.
Exceptionally smooth for a beer of it's strength, making quick (perhaps a bit too quick) work of draining a goblet with dinner. This ale is all malt up front before hitting with its sourness, apple-ish esters and a floral hop character that can only be achieved with Czech grown varieties of Saaz. Despite the smoothness mentioned, this ale's finish is warming in a manner similar to good brandy. You know you're drinking holiday ale as you feel that first bottle in your cheeks like a toasty fireplace.
'Tis the season to endrunken. Drink this ale while it is available, and keep an eye peeled for clearance deals through January.
Cheers. And enjoy.
