Advent Calendar Window Twenty-One

I’ve had to do some unusual drinking in my endeavour to complete this calendar. But nothing as unusual, or as enjoyable, as Window 21’s beer.

When the window was revealed to hold Brouwerij Huyghe's Delirium Christmas 10% (usually known as Delirium Noel but not in this instance) I was rather excited, but as I needed to be in work Friday morning until 12, and then was out straight after work until the early hours, it became clear that this beer would have to be consumed in working hours. Since the final Friday before Christmas is a pointless exercise, where everyone walks around the works stock taking and pretending to tidy, I figured nobody would really mind if I had this during works hours. In a moment of sheer geekery, I was greatly entertained by placing the beer around unusual work stock for photos, hence, the sheer amount of pictures.

A clear amber colour, the nose was toffee apples, sweet bread and plenty of winter berries. The taste was terrific, really fusing a variety of flavours, from figgy pudding, liquorice, spiced apples and clementines, into a sweet, well bodied barley-wine-style drop. There was no noticeable burn on the throat as, amongst the reels of lifting equipment, it vanished from the glass all too easily. Another classic Belgian style Christmas beer, and amongst my favourites. It wins extra bonus points for impressing a couple of my colleagues who have experienced rather little great beer in their lives. It wins further points for bringing so much childish joy to another work day. If only all work could be presided over with this drink.

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