Delirium Tremens

I was told by my favourite Belgian barberette, Kim Debree (who generously donated these beers to me,) that of the 3 Delirium Tremens is the one most likely to have me seeing double, it's the one that really is not to be trifled with. It must be respected and enjoyed but never get the impression that it's your friend. IT IS NOT YOUR FRIEND! It tastes like it's your friend, everything about it suggests that it'll be your best bud for life, it pours in that same satisfying way that all the great Belgian beers do, like a frothy wave lapping gently at a shore of amber sand, If you take a sip through the thick head you can ever hear the bubbles pop in a gorgeously relaxing way that reminds me of putting conch shells to my ear whilst at the seaside so I could get the sound of the sea in surround sound. They can't have intended to do that, it's just not possible for someone to brew a beer and then specify that it sounds like the sea... But if anyone could then it would definitely be the Belgians.

Having been intimately acquainted with other members of the Delirium family was a huge advantage for me when it came to reviewing this beer because I could see what they've changed, what they've improved, that kind of thing and what you get with ANY Delirium is smooth and sweet textures and aromas that make them all intensely drinkable and a kick that would put Mirko CroCop to shame. The Tremens is no exception, weighing in at 8.5%, this triple distilled beauty is rich and smooth in all the right places, there's light fudge flavours with blackcurrant notes and a very small hint of elderflower. It is a beautifully rounded beer that doesn't taste as powerful as its' triple distilled counterparts but I'm certain that it is not meant to be. If other beers can be Howitzers and Cannons operated by the blood thirsty and the criminally insane, then this is a small, ornately decorated, dagger, wielded by an Armani clad assassin. You won't see that it's hit you, you won't feel that it's hit you, all you'll remember is waking up... If it has allowed you to live.

This is another example of the Bavarian purity laws at work as this contains only 4 ingredients. The laws are so important in the construction of traditional beer, you should never feel you need to add anything other than that small handful of components to make a masterpiece. Delirium Tremens is best served cold and in a Delirium Tremens glass with little pink elephants on it that make you look like a total badass!

This beer, as well as a multitude of other Belgian beauties, can be found at La Trappiste in Canterbury amongst other places. If you're not from around here then most Belgian places should have it, it's definitely one of their standards.

Food Suggestion: I'm really liking the idea of goats cheese with this, maybe on a pizza with caramelised red onions and a plate of garlic bread on the side... And some crispy, thick cut, chips! I'm getting fatter just from spell checking this review!

Drink this if you like: Duvel would be the obvious comparison though if you've never EVER had Belgian beer before then, firstly, what the s*** are you doing with your life?! And secondly, go find some Leffe Blonde somewhere, it won't be hard. Drink that, realise that you've wasted your life drinking vodka and red bull, then drink this to make your life complete.