Delirium Red

Delirium Red. Deliirum RED? Whoa, that's new, I've never heard of this, and there it is, on the shelf. There hasn't been a new Delirium beer in many a year, so let's try this one out, shall we?

First, let's see what the label tells us. Okay, the elephant has red earrings. Do they signify an ingredient, cherries, perhaps? Am I in for a fruit beer, maybe?
 "Family Brewery, Huyghe, Since 1654. Belgian Ale, 1 pint, 9.4 fluid ounces." 8% Alc./Vol. 750 ml. No further gobbledygook. I'm on my own.

Dark ruby coloring, pretty pink head, full and lacy.

Aroma: oh, yeah, cherries. Sweet and tart at once. Not too much of either, though, fairly well balanced. Can't really pick anything out beyond the fruit, though.

Taste: Flush with fruit, well-tempered sweetness, with a does of sour on the side. Feels like a brown ale, or some kind of dark ale beneath it. Full-biodied, long, fruity finish. Malt is solid, hops are minimal, but the fruit is the thing, to be sure. Is it a lambic, a kriek? No. Is it a Flanders Red? Not at all. More like a Belgian fruit ale in the line of Kasteel Rouge, where fruit is added to a Belgian ale, but it isn't soured, aged or inoculated by wild, funky yeast.

Is it good? Yeah, it is. Just tart enough, just sweet enough, great balance. Tasty. I would recommend it for fruit beer lovers. Great for dessert, perfect for a gathering, right on the money for a holiday treat. Get one for Thanksgiving, for Halloween, Columbus Day, for Back-to-school, whenever.