About This Beer
Delirium Nocturnum Belgian Strong Dark Ale 33cl 8.5% is a rich, malt-forward Belgian beer brewed by Brouwerij Huyghe in Melle, near Ghent. Introduced in 1999 to mark the tenth anniversary of Delirium Tremens, Nocturnum was created as a darker companion to the brewery's internationally recognised strong golden ale.
While Delirium Tremens is known for its pale golden colour, spicy character and dry finish, Delirium Nocturnum explores the deeper flavours associated with roasted and chocolate malts.
The result is a Belgian Strong Dark Ale with layers of caramel, mocha, chocolate and spice, supported by warming alcohol and a developing bitterness.
At 8.5% ABV, Nocturnum has the strength expected of a traditional Belgian speciality beer, but its flavour is shaped by more than alcohol alone.
The brewery describes the beer as dark brown-red, with a colour measurement of approximately 80 EBC.
Its deep colour is complemented by a compact, stable, creamy head with an off-white to pale yellow appearance.
The aroma introduces caramel, mocha and chocolate, creating an inviting combination of sweet and roasted malt impressions.
Liquorice and coriander-like spicy notes add further complexity, providing contrast to the richer chocolate character.
These are tasting characteristics described by the brewery rather than a confirmed list of added spices.
The first sip offers a rounded, soft impression with noticeable alcoholic warmth.
As the beer develops across the palate, its bitterness becomes more prominent.
According to the brewery, this bitterness comes partly from hops and partly from roasted and chocolate malts.
The beer measures approximately 24 IBU, but its flavour is more complex than that number alone might suggest.
Roasted malt bitterness contributes a different sensation from hop bitterness, introducing darker flavours that complement the initial sweetness.
Towards the finish, Nocturnum brings together bitter, sweet and lightly sour characteristics.
This balance is one of the beer's defining qualities, preventing the rich malt flavours from becoming excessively sweet.
Delirium Nocturnum also undergoes secondary fermentation in the bottle, a characteristic noted in the brewery's history.
The 33cl format makes it a convenient introduction to this distinctive Belgian beer.
It is particularly appealing for customers who enjoy dark Belgian ales, rich malt flavours or beers that develop gradually as they warm slightly in the glass.
Although Nocturnum shares certain characteristics with Belgian Dubbels and Quadrupels, it is best described as a Belgian Strong Dark Ale rather than being presented as a Trappist beer.
The beer is produced by Brouwerij Huyghe, an independent Belgian brewery.
For customers already familiar with Delirium Tremens, Nocturnum provides an interesting comparison between two beers from the same brewery.
Explore our Delirium beer collection to discover the different styles available from Brouwerij Huyghe.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Deep reddish-brown, approximately 80 EBC, with a compact, creamy off-white head that remains stable in the glass.
Aroma: Rich caramel, mocha and dark chocolate notes, accompanied by liquorice and coriander-like spice.
Taste: Begins softly with malt sweetness and warming alcohol before developing increasing bitterness from hops, roasted malt and chocolate malt. The finish balances bitter, sweet and lightly sour flavours.
Mouthfeel: Rounded, smooth and warming, with a creamy impression and enough carbonation to balance the rich malt character.
About the Brewery
Brouwerij Huyghe is a family-owned Belgian brewery located in Melle, near Ghent in East Flanders.
Although brewing has taken place at the site for centuries, the Huyghe family's involvement began in 1906, when Léon Huyghe acquired an existing brewery.
Over successive generations, the family expanded the business and developed a varied portfolio of Belgian speciality beers.
One of the most significant developments in the brewery's modern history came in 1989 with the introduction of Delirium Tremens.
The strong golden ale became internationally recognised for its distinctive pink elephant branding and expressive Belgian fermentation character.
Ten years later, in 1999, Brouwerij Huyghe introduced Delirium Nocturnum to celebrate the anniversary of its flagship beer.
Rather than simply producing another version of Tremens, the brewery created a dark beer with a distinctly different flavour profile.
Nocturnum introduced richer malt flavours, roasted chocolate notes and a more pronounced interplay between sweetness and bitterness.
Its bottle-conditioned character also reflects the Belgian tradition of secondary fermentation in the bottle.
The introduction of Nocturnum helped establish Delirium as a broader family of beers rather than a single flagship product.
Further additions followed, including Delirium Red, with its distinctive cherry character, and Delirium Argentum, a hop-forward amber Belgian IPA.
Each beer explores a different aspect of Belgian brewing while retaining the recognisable Delirium identity.
The famous pink elephant appears throughout the range, making the brewery's beers instantly recognisable on shelves and in beer collections.
For Nocturnum, the darker beer style offers an interesting contrast to the pale appearance of Delirium Tremens.
The combination of caramel, mocha, chocolate, spice and warming alcohol has made it a distinctive part of the brewery's portfolio.
Today, Brouwerij Huyghe continues to produce Nocturnum alongside its other Belgian speciality beers, offering customers a choice between golden, dark, fruit-led and hop-forward styles.
Discover more from the brewery in our Delirium collection.
Food Pairings
Delirium Nocturnum is particularly well suited to rich, savoury dishes that complement its roasted malt, caramel and chocolate characteristics.
Its warming strength and developing bitterness make it an interesting accompaniment to slow-cooked meats, mature cheeses and dishes featuring mushrooms or caramelised flavours.
Slow-cooked beef is an excellent starting point.
The beer's roasted malt character complements the deep savoury flavours of beef cheeks, braised short ribs or a traditional beef stew.
Its bitterness helps balance the richness of the meat, while its caramel notes work particularly well with slowly cooked onions and rich sauces.
Roast pork is another appealing pairing.
The caramelised edges of roasted pork shoulder or pork belly complement the beer's darker malt flavours.
For a more traditional Belgian-inspired dish, try Nocturnum with braised pork cheeks and mushrooms.
The earthy character of mushrooms works particularly well with the beer's mocha and roasted malt notes.
Mushroom risotto is also an excellent vegetarian option.
Its creamy texture and savoury depth provide a contrast to the beer's developing bitterness, while the mushroom flavours complement its darker character.
For cheese, consider mature Gouda, aged Cheddar or Comté.
These cheeses offer nutty, savoury flavours that balance the beer's sweetness and roasted notes.
Blue cheese can provide a more adventurous pairing, particularly for customers who enjoy contrasting rich, salty flavours with strong dark ales.
Delirium Nocturnum is also an interesting dessert beer.
Its chocolate and caramel notes make it a natural companion to dark chocolate brownies, chocolate mousse or a rich chocolate tart.
Choose desserts with pronounced cocoa flavours rather than excessive sweetness, allowing the beer's bitterness to provide contrast.
A chocolate and coffee dessert can be particularly enjoyable, as the beer's mocha character complements roasted coffee flavours.
For a simple tasting experience, serve Nocturnum alongside mature cheese, roasted nuts and a few pieces of dark chocolate.
This allows its contrasting sweet, bitter and roasted characteristics to become more apparent.
Serve in a stemmed Belgian beer glass or tulip glass, leaving space for its creamy head and aromatic complexity.
Avoid serving it excessively cold, as a slightly warmer serving temperature allows the caramel, chocolate and spice notes to become more noticeable.
Try More Like This
If you enjoy Delirium Nocturnum 33cl, explore Delirium Nocturnum 75cl for the same Belgian Strong Dark Ale in a larger sharing bottle.
For a contrasting golden beer from the same brewery, try Delirium Tremens 33cl.
Delirium Tremens offers a paler appearance, lighter malt character and long dry-bitter finish, making it an interesting comparison with Nocturnum's richer roasted malt profile.
For customers interested in exploring several Delirium beers, the Delirium Discovery 4 Beer & Glass Gift Pack includes Nocturnum alongside Tremens, Red and Argentum, together with a branded glass.
You can also browse our Belgian & Trappist Beer collection for more Belgian dark ales, Dubbels, Quadrupels and other traditional speciality beers.
Whether you're exploring dark Belgian beer for the first time or returning to a familiar favourite, Delirium Nocturnum 33cl offers a distinctive combination of roasted malt, chocolate, caramel and warming spice.
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