Beer become more endeared when the consumer recognizes the subtle differences that distinguishes one variety from another as expressions of artistic creativity and not just beer. This week’s beer is a great example, as it showcases a brewer who attempts a masterpiece outside of the box. Such attempts requires either enormous faith, guts, or both, for critics (consumers) are typically suspicious of the narrow path.
Delirium Tremens’ was born out of a combination of three different yeast strains, for which the brewer attributes the unique flavor of this beer. This may not sound crazy to the average beer drinker, but imagine trying this for the first time on a large scale. Imagine your money is invested in the massive quantities of ingredients. You may be more inclined to throw in a prefab yeast. Brouwerij Huyghe took the risk and reaped the reward: Being named the best beer in the world (1998) at the World Beer Championships in Chicago. Don’t be fooled, though…the real reward is being featured as the Sip With Us Saturday beer on ThankHeavenForBeer.com!
Tremens is a Belgian beer that boasts an alcohol content of 9%. For inquiring minds that want to know, Delirium Tremens is Latin for “trembling madness” which is apparently a euphemism for the shakes and alcoholic gets when cutting off the source. Thank heaven this has never happened to me, or I would cease participation on this site immediately.
We would love for you to drink this with us this Saturday and share your opinion on the forthcoming review. In the meantime, the history of the brewery is well worth a quick read!
Cheers!
Every time I see the words Delirium Tremens I can’t help but think of Mark Twain’s criticism of Cooper’s writing. I know that has nothing to do with beer or the site but it’s funny to me.
[Reply]
I had to look it up to see what Twain had to say, and I too thought it quite funny!
[Reply]