365 different beers from 365 different breweries in 365 days with random musings on beer, food, music, sports, dogs and anything else interesting along the way
I had planned to write about Van Diest's Frulli Strawberry Ale, but it turns out that it's brewed by Brewery Huyghe, which also happens to brew Delirium Tremens. Ugh. I reviewed Delirium Tremens about 136 days ago.
The Internetz are being completely unhelpful as I try to figure out the relationship between Van Diest and Brewery Huyghe. All I know is that it's pretty clear that Huyghe brews Frulli. I'll file this under "things that would have been helpful a few weeks ago."
Anyway the Frulli poured a hazy, rosy amber color with a bubbly pink-hued head. It smelled and tasted strongly of strawberries. From my research, I've learned that Frulli is a highly rated fruit beer because it tastes natural and not at all artificial. I can attest to that. As a big fan of fruit beers, the kiss of death in my world is artificial tasting flavor. Frulli definitely had all natural flavor.
I had this beer with dinner at Flip Side Burgers in Santa Rosa. Burger was fine...nothing to write home about. This was supposed to be my second to last review from my trip to the west coast. Oh well...
*** Instead the official review will be of Toria Tripel. Brewed by De Hoevebrouwers in Belgium, it is a Belgian Tripel weighing in at 8.6% ABV. It poured a hazy straw color with a small and thin head. It smells of chamomile. The taste is hops and honey and on the thin side. While the higher ABV isn't evident at first taste, it definitely shines through toward the end.
From what I could figure out from a rough translation of the brewery's website home brewers won a competition in 2006 and began producing small batches of a few recipes and may now be doing the gypsy brewer thing and brewing at various outposts throughout Belgium. Or not. Sometimes Google translator is a little dicey.
Today was a Monday, and let's leave it at that. Marci thinks she's getting sick, we're having soup for dinner, I picked up new running shoes. Yes, another pair of Saucony Triumphs, and no, they're not neon orange. Let's just leave it at that and get to the bottom of a glass of beer, shall we?
And what a fine beer indeed - Delirium Tremens from the good people at Brouwerij Huyghe in (guess where?) Belgium. Another brewery Marci has already crossed off her list, so I'm catching up here. Before you even get to the beer, you notice the unusual opaque bottle with a pink elephant dancing gracefully on the label. This beer pours a clear pale gold color, and while the aroma isn't overpowering, there's a light, fruit scent on the nose. The taste brings a pleasant mix of malt, yeast, and a peppery spice on the finish. The aroma isn't overpowering, but has a light fruit nose. There are banana notes along the way, and a light, effervescent finish. You barely notice the 9% ABV, which is mildly dangerous, as I could drink this beer all day. Every day. Which is why it's headed for my Top 25 list, people. Also important to note, this brewery has been in operation since 1654, which astounds me with its awesomeness.
I neglected to take a picture of my beer, so here's a picture of my new shoes. What up.
Thing to Think About Today:
Thought about making some form of Huggy Bear reference to play on the Huyghe brewery name, but that didn't seem quite right, despite how awesome Huggy Bear was on Starsky & Hutch.
Huyghe Bear? Play on, playa.
So instead, in the spirit of the beer name, let's get delirious. Eddie Murphy's Delirious. Possibly the greatest comedian ever, at the absolute zenith of his career. I mean, he did this comedy special in A RED LEATHER SUIT, with the jacked unzipped to his navel. You can't get away with that unless you're a gigantic, glowing star. Clearly, this isn't safe for work, unless your employer looooves profanity.
This is how my afternoon went. I get a call that provides information that renders the 3,000 invitations that were just delivered from the printer inaccurate.
Me: (on phone) FUUUUUUCK. (literally bangs head on desk and yells incoherently) I'm on speaker phone, aren't I?
Co-worker: Yes. That was an inopportune time for me to hit the button.
(Time elapses and this email exchange ensues.)
Me: Sorry. My world just blew up. Anyway, I don't know what I want for dinner. I'm hopped up on pistachios and adrenaline. Did you have thoughts?
Gary: After pistachios and adrenaline, I fear anything I come up with is going to be a let down. You want to meet at Teresa's Next Door for a beer & gyro? Or will you be leaving work too late to make dining out + coming home to blog a challenge?
Me: Sure.
Gary: Petrus on draft at TND! A few other new breweries (to us) as well. SCORE.
Me: (having already investigated Teresa's beer list as a dinner option) I wanted to try the Ename Cuvee.
Gary: Wheeeeee! (This photo was included.)
Given the beautiful weather today, that may be what I look like driving home.
***
Beer of the day. Why it is a de Proef Flemish Primitive wild ale called Surly Bird. Ugh. And we won't be reviewing this one because they also brew the Reinaert Wild Ale that I reviewed on February 4. Well today keeps getting better and better, doesn't it?
In case you were curious, this is the basics of what I would have written about the Surly Bird. It is a Belgian Strong Pale Ale. 9% ABV. Poured a straw color. Drank slightly sweet and tasted of banana bread. It was super dry. Sweet upfront but finished with a bite. Very good.
Luckily I have a bottle of Delirium Tremens. Delirium Tremens. DT. Alcohol withdrawals. The shakes. Seriously? This is what I opt to drink?
Anyway...this bottle always intrigued me with its opaque speckled glass and funny little elephants. Tremens also happens to be a Belgian Strong Pale Ale that is brewed by Brouwerij Huyghe. It poured with a thick white head that had staying power throughout the entire glass of beer. It smelled of bread and malt sweetness with a hint of herbal odors. The color was much more amber than this photo. The taste. So good. Well balanced. It finished with a black pepper taste and a bit of lemon.
Really this is an awesome beer. I'm tagging it top 25. Cheers!
