Delirium Na Delirio

Na Delirio is the non-alcoholic Belgian beer from the Delirium brand of Flanders, sold with the pink elephant branding that brand is known for. The listing gives an IBU of 26, which is a moderate bitterness. Expect a soft, rounded bitter finish rather than a sharp hop bite. The listing's ABV figure of 8.5 conflicts with its non-alcoholic category, so check the label for the alcohol content. No official tasting notes come with this listing, so what follows is what Belgian-inspired beers in this lane usually offer. Expect a pale golden to amber color, a yeasty, fruity nose with pear, apple or citrus peel, and a light peppery spice. The malt tends to be gently bready or honeyed. Non-alcoholic brewing usually leaves a lighter body than a full-strength Belgian strong ale, so look for a fairly crisp palate with the fruit and spice carrying the flavor, and a dry, mildly bitter close. Belgian yeast character is the main appeal here, and the low bitterness leaves room for it. Serve it well chilled, around 4 to 7°C (40 to 45°F). Colder than that can mute the esters and spice, and warmer tends to make a lighter-bodied beer taste sweet and flat. A tulip glass or a stemmed goblet suits it best. The flared rim lets the aroma gather, and a gentle pour that leaves a little yeast and foam gives the head some structure. A standard pint glass works but loses some of the nose. At the table, the fruity, peppery profile fits mussels with fries, roast chicken with herbs, and pan-seared white fish. It also handles mildly spicy dishes such as Thai green curry or Vietnamese summer rolls, where carbonation and a touch of sweetness cool the heat. For cheese, try a washed-rind or semi-soft Belgian-style cheese, or a mild aged Gouda, whose nutty sweetness matches the malt.