effervescent refractions

Continuing the series of Belgian Christmas Ales, Delirium showed a beautiful effort - not the best of the bunch but truly reminiscent of the holiday itself. Its clear sanguine body is topped of a lasting white foam, a sort of upside-down Santa hat and the first indication of a not-quite-winter attitude that suits Christmas so well. Oddly, red Swedish fish are featured prominently on the nose, waxy and sweet, accompanied by white and red grapes, cranberries, red currant and lingonberries. A rubicund aroma, so to speak, to which hints of Camembert and apricot are loosely attached. This light aroma translates gently onto the palate with plenty of red and white currants, cranberries, cherries and pomegranate seeds. A medley of these tiny red fruits, lightly sour and bitter, overlaying a base of burnt honey, white pepper and banana. The palate is fairly neutral, lacking any sort of influence, but apt to support these volatile flavors. Though it wasn’t a spectacular beer in itself, Delirium epitomized the spirit of Christmas in liquid form and that is worth much more than what may transpare from my score.