Huyghe Delirium Christmas Noël Beer Pink Elephant 750 ml 10%

When darkness falls before five and the lights go on in the windows, a pink elephant turns up in a Christmas costume. It sits on a bottle that looks like glazed ceramic, and keeps 10% of warmth tucked under a chestnut glow.

Expert description of Huyghe Delirium Christmas Noël Pink Elephant Belgian Dark Strong Ale Beer

Delirium Christmas, also known as Noël, is Brouwerij Huyghe's winter beer from Melle in Belgium. It is a Belgian Dark Strong Ale brewed only for Christmas and New Year, and it belongs to the same family as Delirium Tremens and Delirium Nocturnum. The difference is that this one has the Christmas dial turned all the way up.

In the glass the beer is chestnut brown, with a fine, white, creamy head that clings to the glass. Malt does most of the talking. At 26 IBU the hop bitterness is easy to overlook, and what you get instead is caramel, sweetness and a clear glow of alcohol. This is a beer to sit with, not to rush.

Serve it at 10 to 12 °C in a tulip or balloon glass, so the spice and fruit have room to open up.

Tasting notes

Beer aroma

Caramel malt meets dried fruit and warm spice. Behind it sits a sweetness that echoes the alcohol itself, and with a little time in the glass, raisins and dates step forward.

Beer taste

A solid hit of alcohol, clearly spiced, with a little bitterness underneath. Toffee, brown sugar and dark fruit fill the palate, with a slight red wine edge.

Beer finish

Sweet, spicy and slightly bitter, with a warmth that lingers. A touch of pepper right at the end.

Specifications

Name: Huyghe Delirium Christmas Noël
Brewery: Brouwerij Huyghe
Country/Region: Belgium, Melle in East Flanders
Beer style: Belgian Dark Strong Ale
ABV: 10%
IBU: 26
Size: 75 CL
Malt: Barley malt
Fermentation: Top fermentation
Ingredients: Water, barley malt, hops, yeast
Allergens: Gluten from barley
EAN no.: 5412186000975
Serving suggestion: Serve at 10 to 12 °C in a tulip or balloon glass. Pairs well with aged cheese, game and rich desserts

Flavour profile

Malty · Spiced · Fruity · Sweet · Slightly bitter · Warming

Did you know?

Huyghe has been brewing on the same site in Melle since 1654, and the Huyghe family took over the brewery in 1906.

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Frequently asked questions about Delirium Christmas Noël

What does Delirium Christmas Noël taste like?

Sweet, spicy and warm, with caramel and dark fruit up front. You can feel the alcohol, but it never takes over. The bitterness is light, so it reads more like a dessert beer than a hop bomb.

Is Delirium Christmas Noël worth it?

Yes, if you like big, sweet Belgian beers. It comes from the brewery behind Delirium Tremens, and at 75 cl and 10% one bottle covers a whole evening with good friends. It is also a seasonal release, so it only shows up over the winter.

Are Delirium Christmas and Delirium Noël the same beer?

Yes, it is the same beer. The brewery uses the name Christmas, while many shops and reviewers write Noël.

What food goes with Delirium Christmas Noël?

Aged cheese, game and rich desserts are a safe bet. The brewery itself suggests a venison stew. The sweet malt also holds its own against pork, lamb and beef.

How should you serve Delirium Christmas Noël?

At 10 to 12 °C in a good beer glass with a wide bowl. If it is too cold, it closes up and the spice disappears.

Can you store Delirium Christmas Noël?

Yes, it is ready to drink right away, but it also handles some time in the cellar. Keep the bottle dark and cool, and check the best before date on the bottle.

Is Delirium Christmas Noël a good Christmas gift?

Yes, it is hard to miss under a tree. The bottle looks like ceramic with an elephant in a Christmas costume, and what is inside is something most beer fans will want to try.