Delirium Tremens Beer
If you’re looking for a strong Belgian Blonde, you’re spoiled for choice. But if you want to try a true icon of the style, there’s one beer that stands head and shoulders above the rest: Delirium Tremens beer from Brouwerij Huyghe.
Famous for its strength, flavour and unmistakable branding, this legendary pink elephant beer has become one of the most recognisable Belgian beers in the world.
The pink elephant beer
The popularity of Delirium beer isn’t just down to what’s in the bottle. A huge part of its success comes from its instantly recognisable branding — the soft blue label featuring the now-iconic pink elephant.
Both the name and logo reference delirium tremens, a condition linked to alcohol withdrawal. Others point to the pink elephant hallucination scene in Disney’s Dumbo. Either way, it’s a stroke of marketing genius.
Today, the beer with the elephant logo is impossible to miss. From bar mats and bottle openers to socks, hats and even golf balls, Delirium merchandise has become hugely popular. At Belgian beer festivals, you may even spot slightly tipsy visitors proudly wearing pink elephant hats.
Brouwerij Huyghe
The Brewery Behind Delirium Beer
Despite the strong brand identity, Delirium is not the name of the brewery itself. The beer is produced by Brouwerij Huyghe, located in Melle, Belgium.
Beer has reportedly been brewed on this site since 1654, but the modern brewery began in 1906 when Léon Huyghe purchased the premises. Originally called Den Appel (or La Pomme in French), the brewery focused mainly on lagers in its early years.
In 1936, it was renamed Brasserie Léon Huyghe, and the family-run operation continued to grow. Today, Brouwerij Huyghe produces far more than just Delirium, including Blond beer La Guillotine, abbey beer Averbode, and exotic fruit beers under the Mongozo name.
Delirium Tremens beer
The most famous beer in the range is, of course, Delirium Tremens.
First brewed in 1988, it quickly became Brouwerij Huyghe’s flagship beer, and so popular that the blue-and-pink elephant branding is now painted across the front of the brewery itself.
Delirium Tremens is a strong Belgian Blonde with a delirium beer alcohol percentage of 8.5% ABV. It’s highly carbonated and delivers classic Belgian flavours, with fruity notes and a gentle sweetness followed by a lightly spicy finish.
According to the brewers, much of this complexity comes from the use of three different yeast strains during fermentation.
The iconic delirium bottle and glass
The presentation of Delirium Tremens is just as distinctive as the beer itself. The bottle resembles old-fashioned ceramic beer vessels once used in Belgium, reinforcing its traditional roots.
The Delirium Tremens goblet is equally recognisable, featuring an asymmetrical base and ridged stem said to resemble an elephant’s trunk. It’s a fitting glass for such a memorable beer.
Other Delirium beers to discover
While Delirium Tremens beer is the most famous, it’s far from the only offering in the range. You’ll also find these beers in the Delirium range.
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Delirium Red – a fruity, dessert-style beer with cherry aromas and a balance of sweet and sour
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Delirium Argentum – an amber-coloured beer with citrus, grapefruit and hop-forward character, leaning towards a Belgian IPA
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Delirium Nocturnum – a rich Quadrupel with notes of caramel, mocha and chocolate, finished with warming spice
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Delirium Christmas – a seasonal beer brewed for the festive period, spicy, caramel-led and 10% ABV
Award-winning Belgian icon
With its bold flavour, unmistakable branding and rich history, Delirium beer is more than just a strong Blonde, it’s a true Belgian icon. If you’ve never tried the beer with the elephant logo, now’s the perfect time to meet the pink elephant.