Katy and Sasha are the contributors for Ottawa Beer Events! They have distinctly different palates and in this segment they go head-to-head tasting Ottawa beer. This week they sample Delirium Tremens from Brouwerij Huyghe.
Katy:
This is a controversial beer, not for the ingredients or the reputation of the brewery that brews it, but for the name and pink elephant imagery associated with it. What's in a name? Delerium Tremens., Latin for shaking frenzy, refers to the delirium caused by alcohol withdrawal.
Delerium Tremens isn't exactly new to the Ottawa-market, it has been available on draught at Pub Italia for years, but now beer connoisseurs can buy it one bottle at a time at The Beer Store.
This treat pours a bright gold with generous white cap and too-perfect lacing. The aroma is sweet, spiked with clove-like phenols and fruity esthers. The crisp carbonation leads you to more sweet esthers and phenols (orange, green apple, white pepper, clove) before finishing dry with a slight medicinal burn.
One 330ml ceramic bottle may not be enough to truly appreciate all the nuances of this award winning beer. I recommend picking up a few, but try to avoid the pink elephants on parade.