Delirium Tremens is impossible to miss on the shelf thanks to its ceramic-look speckled bottle and pink-elephant logo. Behind the packaging is a serious beer: an 8.5% Belgian golden strong ale from Brouwerij Huyghe that has won a stack of awards and built a cult following. It sits right alongside Duvel in the style but leans a little fruitier and spicier. Here is how it tastes.
Delirium Tremens at a glance
| Style | Belgian golden strong ale |
| ABV | 8.5% |
| Calories | Around 230 per 12 fl oz |
| Carbs | Around 17g per 12 fl oz |
| Origin | Brouwerij Huyghe, Melle, Belgium |
| Ingredients | Water, barley malt, wheat, sugar, hops, yeast |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Gluten free | No, it contains barley and wheat |
| Typical price | Around $11 to $15 for a 4-pack in the US. Check the button for live pricing |
How it tastes, by the numbers
Delirium plays the golden strong game with a little extra fruit and spice. The carbonation and fruit dials sit high and the finish stays dry, which keeps the 8.5% in check.
The full review
It pours a hazy pale gold with a big, foamy white head. The aroma is fruity and spicy: pear, apple and a little citrus, clove and pepper from the yeast, and a soft honeyed malt underneath. It is lively and inviting.
On the palate it is crisp and effervescent, with orchard fruit and a touch of sweetness up front, a peppery spice through the middle and a dry, faintly bitter finish. It is a shade rounder and fruitier than Duvel, which some drinkers prefer.
The high carbonation keeps it feeling light and refreshing despite the strength, and the 8.5% stays hidden until the warmth creeps up. Served cold in a big glass it is a genuine crowd-pleaser.
It has earned its awards. It is not quite as precise or as bone dry as Duvel, but it is a touch more characterful, and the two make a great head-to-head if you want to learn the style.
The pink elephant hides a properly good, properly strong beer.
- Fruity, spicy, characterful golden strong ale
- Lively carbonation keeps it refreshing
- Award-winning and consistently good
- Iconic, gift-worthy bottle
- 8.5% hides a little too well
- A shade less precise than Duvel
- The novelty bottle can overshadow the beer
Who it is for
Golden strong ale fans who want a bit more fruit and spice than Duvel offers. If you like it, Duvel is the drier benchmark and Piraat is the bigger, boozier option.
Delirium Tremens FAQs
What does Delirium Tremens taste like?
Crisp and fruity with pear and apple, clove and pepper spice, honeyed malt and a dry, lightly bitter finish. A touch rounder and fruitier than Duvel.
Why is it called Delirium Tremens?
It is a wry nod to the strength of the beer, with the pink elephant logo playing on the old cliche of what heavy drinkers supposedly see.
How strong is Delirium Tremens?
It is 8.5% ABV, a genuinely strong beer despite how easily it drinks.
How many calories are in Delirium Tremens?
Around 230 per 12 fl oz. Brouwerij Huyghe does not publish an official figure, but that is typical for an 8.5% golden strong ale.
How does it compare to Duvel?
Both are 8.5% Belgian golden strong ales. Duvel is drier and more precise, Delirium is a little fruitier, spicier and rounder.
Is Delirium Tremens vegan?
Yes. It is brewed from water, barley malt, wheat, sugar, hops and yeast with no animal products.
Is Delirium Tremens gluten free?
No. It is brewed with barley and wheat, so it contains gluten.
Where is Delirium Tremens brewed?
In Melle, Belgium, by Brouwerij Huyghe.
Where to buy Delirium Tremens
Delirium Tremens is widely sold in the US and Europe in its distinctive bottle, as singles and 4-packs. Use the button above to check the current price.
The verdict
Delirium Tremens backs up its famous bottle with a genuinely excellent Belgian golden strong ale. It is fruity, spicy and lively, with the 8.5% tucked neatly out of sight, and it makes a perfect foil to Duvel. A strong four point three out of five. See how it ranks in our best Belgian beer guide.
FAQs
What kind of beer is Delirium Tremens?
Delirium Tremens is a Belgian golden strong ale, at 8.5% ABV.
How much alcohol is in Delirium Tremens?
Delirium Tremens has an ABV of 8.5%.
How many calories are in Delirium Tremens?
Delirium Tremens has Around 230 per 12 fl oz, based on the brewery’s published nutrition information.
Is Delirium Tremens gluten free?
Delirium Tremens: No, it contains barley and wheat.
Does Delirium Tremens have carbs?
Yes, Delirium Tremens has Around 17g per 12 fl oz. If you’re watching carbs, see our guide to the best low-carb beers.
How can I make Delirium Tremens taste better?
Serve it at the right temperature and in the right glass (see below), or use it as the base for a beer cocktail. Our beer cocktails guide has recipes worth trying.
What is a good alternative to Delirium Tremens?
If you can’t find Delirium Tremens, Duvel is a close alternative in the same Belgian golden strong ale category.
How much does Delirium Tremens cost?
Delirium Tremens typically runs Around $11 to $15 for a 4-pack in the US. Check the button for live pricing. Check current pricing and availability through the buy link above.
How do I open Delirium Tremens without a bottle opener?
A lighter, a sturdy key, a spoon, or the edge of a table all work in a pinch. See our full guide on opening a beer without a bottle opener for 8 methods that actually work.
What glass should I use for Delirium Tremens?
A standard pint or tulip glass works well for a Belgian golden strong ale like Delirium Tremens. See our beer glassware guide for style-by-style recommendations.
