Delirium Red Beer Review – The fruity one in the Delirium family

October 18, 2023 Cameron Mackenzie

When people talk about the beer that got them interested in craft beer, you usually hear them cite the usual suspects; Brewdog’s Punk IPA, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, or something similar. However, for me, it was Delirium Red. A Belgium fruit/dessert beer. You could say I started at the deep end.

Sure, I had had dalliances with the odd Duvel and the legendary Sierra pale in my local JD Wetherspoons, (shout out to The Eight Bells, Dover) but I was too drunk, and too dumb, to appreciate the difference from these and the mass-produced beers that were foisted upon me from an early age. I was naïve, inexperienced, and more interested in quantity over quality.

It was in March 2010 when my perception of beer would change forever however. My friend and I had just started out on an interrailing trip across Europe. We had just come from our first stop, Rome, to stay with a friend of ours in Telese, in the Campania region of southern Italy, for a few days.

We went out for dinner one night to Sherwood’s pub and pizzeria in the main strip of town. That is when a pint, yes, a pint, of a curious dark red elixir was sat down in front of me. I thought there must be some mistake, beer is not red. Not wanting to offend the locals, after they generously gave us free ‘authentic Italian Pizza,’ I drank-up. I was blown away. It was unlike any beer I had ever tasted before and showed me just how diverse and interesting this humble drink can be.

13 years later and I am in ‘The Offy’ in Whitstable, Kent. Scanning the impressive selection of beers from all over the world, my heart skips a beat when I spot the unmistakable ceramic bottle and pink elephant behind the fridge door. The world-renowned Delirium Tremens, which we previously reviewed here, can be picked up easily now in your local supermarket, but it’s not often you see Delerium Red. It was like seeing an old friend, and memories of friendship, good times, and care-free adventure came rushing back to me.

Delirium red, produced by the famous Huyghe Brewery of Belgium, is boozy at 8% abv. It looks beautiful and is dark red in colour with a pinkish head, that disappears quickly. The aroma is fruity and smells a bit like a Cherry Bakewell.

The flavour is a delicate balance of sweet and sour, with a subtle tartness complemented with the same dry finish you get with a Delirium Tremens. Some dessert beers or fruity ales can sometimes be sickly sweet and cloying, but Delirium Red manages to avoid this trap. Probably one of the reasons it has won so many awards since first being brewed in 2010. It is a strong ale but does not feel too intoxicating. There is a little alcohol warming but you could comfortably drink a few of these without worrying about seeing any pink elephants. That is how it feels anyway…

Delirium Tremens has only been around since 1988 and the recipe, which uses 3 three different kinds of yeast, has spawned many iterations like Delirium Red (2010), Delirium Christmas and Delirium Nocturnum, to name a few. The quirky packaging and imagery, of pink elephants and crocodiles wearing shades, has helped the brand stand out from other Belgium Beers and reach a wider audience.

The Huyghe Brewery, based in Appelhoek, Melle, has successfully made the brand recognisable all over the world. In 1992 ‘The Brotherhood of the Pink Elephant’ was set-up to help promote Delirium and other local beers from Melle. The Brotherhood and its ‘Grand Council’ may sound a bit scary but don’t fret, they are not in line with any shady organisations like The New World Order, Knights Templar, or anything like that. They merely dress up in blue and pink robes, sporting mortarboard hats, to spread the good word of eccentric Belgium strong ale.

I noted in my journal in 2010 that Delirium Red was ‘one of the nicest beers I’ve ever tasted’. But does it still rank among the best?

Kind of…Since 2010, I have tried many different beers from all over the world. You can read about, possibly, my favourite beer here. However, I would say Delirium Red is one of the best beers of its style that I have had so far. It may not be for everyone, but it made me appreciate a style of beer that is often overlooked.

If you are a fan of Delirium Tremens and have not tried the other Delirium beers yet, I recommend them as they are always interesting, tasty, and above all, fun.

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