About This Beer
Delirium Nocturnum Belgian Strong Dark Ale 75cl 8.5% is a rich and complex Belgian speciality beer brewed by Brouwerij Huyghe in Melle, near Ghent. Presented in a generous 75cl sharing bottle, it offers an opportunity to explore the darker side of the famous Delirium beer range.
Introduced in 1999 to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Delirium Tremens, Nocturnum was developed as a contrasting beer to the brewery's internationally recognised strong golden ale.
While Delirium Tremens is known for its pale blonde appearance, spicy fermentation character and long dry finish, Nocturnum explores the deeper flavours associated with roasted and chocolate malts.
The result is a Belgian Strong Dark Ale with a distinctive combination of caramel, mocha, chocolate, spice and warming alcohol.
At 8.5% ABV, Nocturnum has the substantial strength expected of a Belgian speciality beer, yet its character is shaped by the interaction of sweetness, bitterness and roasted malt flavours.
The brewery describes its appearance as dark brown-red, with a colour measurement of approximately 80 EBC.
A compact, creamy head provides an attractive contrast to the deep colour of the beer.
On the nose, caramel, mocha and chocolate aromas introduce the rich malt profile. These are accompanied by liquorice and coriander-like spicy impressions, creating an interesting contrast between sweetness and aromatic complexity.
The first sip is rounded and soft, with a noticeable alcoholic warmth.
As the beer develops across the palate, bitterness becomes more prominent. The brewery identifies both hops and darker malts as contributors to this character.
With approximately 24 IBU, Nocturnum is not simply a heavily hopped dark beer. Its bitterness is integrated with the roasted malt flavours, creating a layered drinking experience.
The finish brings together bitter, sweet and lightly sour impressions, preventing the beer from becoming excessively rich or cloying.
This balance makes Nocturnum particularly enjoyable when served alongside food.
The 75cl bottle is an appealing choice for sharing over dinner, presenting as a gift or bringing to a gathering of Belgian beer enthusiasts.
It contains the same established Nocturnum beer found in the 33cl bottle, rather than a separate recipe or special edition.
For customers who enjoy discovering how different beers from the same brewery compare, Nocturnum provides an excellent contrast to Delirium Tremens.
Its darker malt character also makes it an interesting introduction to Belgian strong dark ales for customers who usually drink porters, stouts or other malt-forward beers.
Although these styles share certain roasted or chocolate-like flavours, Nocturnum has a distinctly Belgian character, with greater emphasis on warming alcohol, fermentation complexity and the balance between malt sweetness and bitterness.
Explore our Delirium collection to discover more beers from Brouwerij Huyghe.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Deep reddish-brown, approximately 80 EBC, with a compact, creamy off-white head.
Aroma: Caramel, mocha and dark chocolate, accompanied by liquorice and coriander-like spicy notes.
Taste: Begins with rounded malt sweetness and warming alcohol before developing bitterness from hops, roasted malt and chocolate malt. The finish balances sweet, bitter and lightly sour characteristics.
Mouthfeel: Rounded and smooth, with a creamy impression, gentle carbonation and a lingering warming sensation.
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 brewing business.
Over successive generations, the family developed the brewery and expanded its range of Belgian speciality beers.
A significant moment in the brewery's modern history came in 1989 with the introduction of Delirium Tremens.
The beer's distinctive pink elephant branding, strong golden ale character and unusual name helped establish an internationally recognisable identity.
Ten years later, Brouwerij Huyghe introduced Delirium Nocturnum.
Rather than producing another pale strong ale, the brewery developed a darker beer with a more pronounced malt character.
Nocturnum introduced rich caramel, chocolate and roasted flavours to the Delirium family, while retaining the warming strength and complexity associated with Belgian speciality brewing.
The beer also undergoes secondary fermentation in the bottle, a traditional brewing technique used in many Belgian speciality ales.
The success of the Delirium range encouraged the brewery to explore additional styles.
Delirium Red introduced a cherry-led fruit beer, while Delirium Argentum brought a more hop-forward amber Belgian IPA to the collection.
These beers demonstrate how Brouwerij Huyghe has developed different expressions within the same recognisable brand.
The famous pink elephant continues to appear across the range, providing a visual connection between beers with very different flavour profiles.
Today, Delirium Nocturnum remains an established part of the brewery's portfolio.
Its combination of dark malt, warming alcohol and complex bitterness makes it particularly appealing to customers interested in stronger Belgian ales.
For customers who already enjoy Delirium Tremens, Nocturnum offers an opportunity to explore how darker malts can transform the appearance, aroma and flavour of a beer from the same brewery.
Discover the wider Delirium beer range for more Belgian speciality beers.
Food Pairings
Delirium Nocturnum is particularly well suited to rich, savoury dishes that complement its roasted malt, caramel and chocolate characteristics.
The 75cl bottle makes it an excellent choice for serving alongside a shared meal, where several people can enjoy smaller pours with different courses.
Slow-cooked beef is one of the strongest pairings.
The deep savoury flavours of braised beef cheeks, beef short ribs or a traditional beef stew complement the beer's roasted malt character.
Its bitterness helps balance the richness of the meat, while the caramel notes work particularly well with slowly cooked onions and dark sauces.
Roast pork is another excellent option.
The caramelised edges of pork shoulder or pork belly complement the beer's darker malt flavours, while its warming strength stands up to the richness of the dish.
For a vegetarian pairing, consider mushroom risotto.
The earthy, savoury flavours of mushrooms complement Nocturnum's mocha and roasted malt notes, while the creamy texture provides an interesting contrast to the beer's bitterness.
A mushroom and Gruyère tart is another appealing choice.
The nutty cheese and rich pastry work particularly well with the beer's rounded malt character.
Delirium Nocturnum also pairs beautifully with mature cheeses.
Aged Gouda, Comté and mature Cheddar provide savoury, nutty flavours that balance the beer's sweetness and roasted notes.
For a more adventurous combination, try a small serving of blue cheese.
Its pronounced saltiness creates an interesting contrast with Nocturnum's malt sweetness and warming character.
Dark chocolate desserts are another natural match.
Chocolate brownies, chocolate mousse and rich chocolate tarts complement the beer's cocoa and mocha impressions.
Desserts with a higher cocoa content are particularly suitable, as their bitterness can echo the roasted malt character without making the combination excessively sweet.
For a simple tasting experience, serve the 75cl bottle alongside a selection of mature cheeses, roasted nuts and dark chocolate.
This allows guests to explore how the beer changes when paired with different flavours.
Serve Nocturnum in stemmed Belgian beer glasses or tulip glasses, allowing space for its creamy head and complex aromas.
Avoid serving it excessively cold, as the caramel, chocolate and spice notes become easier to appreciate as the beer warms slightly in the glass.
Try More Like This
If you enjoy Delirium Nocturnum 75cl, explore Delirium Nocturnum 33cl for the same Belgian Strong Dark Ale in an individual serving.
For a contrasting golden beer from Brouwerij Huyghe, try Delirium Tremens 75cl.
Tremens offers a pale appearance, lighter malt character and pronounced dry-bitter finish, making it an interesting comparison with Nocturnum's richer roasted malt profile.
If you would like to explore several beers from the same brewery, the Delirium Discovery 4 Beer & Glass Gift Pack brings together Nocturnum, Tremens, Red and Argentum with a branded glass.
For customers who enjoy richer Belgian beer styles, our Belgian & Trappist Beer collection includes more dark ales, Dubbels, Quadrupels and traditional Belgian speciality beers.
Whether you're selecting a Belgian beer to share over dinner, choosing a gift or exploring stronger dark ales, Delirium Nocturnum 75cl offers a distinctive combination of roasted malt, chocolate, caramel and warming spice.
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