This beer does its best to communicate its power through a distinctive bottle which looks like stoneware.  Pink elephants dance with crocodiles on the label whose name suggests a potent beer lurks within.  Yet, on first look, Delirium Tremens seems deceptively innocent.  Pale yellow with a wispy head, it could be mistaken for a macro-lager from across the bar.  But one whiff of its funky, hyper-hoppy nose dispels such thoughts, with smells reminiscent of medicinal bitters, preserved lemons and screw pine.  A pleasing hint of honeyed tea greets the palate on the first sip, followed by a spreading warmth worthy of whiskey.  Its mouth-filling richness of texture is leavened by frothy carbonation and a bracingly bitter hop-flavored finish.  You’ll likely be tempted to order another.  But, before you do, be sure to leave yourself a trail of bread crumbs to help you get home.

BELGIAN TRAPPIST ALE
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Westmalle "Dubbel," $5/12 oz.

Of the six Trappist monasteries still brewing beer in Belgium, “Our Lady of the Sacred Heart” in the town of Westmalle is the icon of the “Abbey” style. The “Dubbel” is loaded with dried fruit and toasty malt aromas. Its creamy froth embraces the palate and offers sweet flavors of buttered raisin toast and crème brûlée. Rich yet modest in alcohol, this beer represents the culmination of centuries of tradition. The rare Trappist beers of Westmalle are a chance to taste the medieval past in the modern day.

Flanders is famous for its unusual sour red ales, whose distinctive acidity develops from a special bacterial fermentation. Rodenbach is the region’s super star, whose top beer is world renowned. Their “Grand Cru” is aged in giant oak casks for at least two years before release, acquiring both smoky oak and toasty maturation flavors in the process. The beer’s sharp aroma suggests citrus fruit and sour cherries, and sweet-tart fruity flavors burst on the palate. This is an exceptional beer for food, able to stimulate and satisfy the appetite at once.

Though Belgium is better known for tradition than innovation, one of the country’s most cherished breweries takes a stab at brewing India Pale Ale, a style that originates from the U.K. and has been revived in the U.S.A.  Belgium is also known for producing some of the world’s most epic ales. While these ales' power and complexity generally exceed their bitterness, hops usually take a back seat.  Not so with Brasserie d’Achouffe’s Dobbelen I.P.A. Tripel, a wildly successful mash-up that combines the traditional Belgian style of ale brewing, a classic British I.P.A. recipe and American hops like Amarillo and Tomahawk.  Bottled conditioned and unfiltered, this strong beer pours a cloudy gold.  Fragrant floral and citrus hops join distinctively Belgian ale aromatics, like spice cake and baked apples.  On the palate, herbal hops scour the palate clean, making this beer a remarkable food partner.  “Houblon” is French for hops, and communicates clearly what sets this beer apart from its Belgian cousins. The hop aromas and bitterness, however, will still seem subtle to fans of brash American Imperial I.P.A.’s.

GERMAN WEIZENBOCK
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Schneider "Aventinus," $4/16 oz.

Bavarian wheat beers, or Hefeweizen, are yeasty and unfiltered, giving them a distinctive cloudy appearance and spiced fruit flavor. Schneider is one of the region’s finest producers, and their Weizenbock is a revelation to taste. Aromas of freshly baked banana bread and cloves leap from the glass. Decadently rich, sweet flavors layer the palate, from butterscotch to brandied cherries to pecan pie. Who needs dessert when we can have the equivalent of bananas foster in a glass?

GERMAN DOPPELBOCK
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Ayinger "Celebrator," $3/12 oz.

Germany is serious about brewing quality beer, having outlawed the dilution of barley with inferior grains in 1516. Strong German “bock” beers are world class, and the village of Aying makes one of the finest examples. Their intense black beer defies traditional perceptions of lager, layering sweet flavors of molasses and bergamot with rich toffee malt. The beer’s luxuriant texture belies its modest alcohol content. Ideal for strong sauces and game meats, a glass of “Celebrator” is an occasion in its own right.

SCOTCH ALE/WEE HEAVY
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Orkney Brewery "SkullSplitter," $5/19 oz.

SkullSplitter ranks among the strongest of Scottish Ales, which are sometimes called "Wee Heavy," a style that is rich and flavorful beyond compare.  In the Scottish brewing tradition, the sweet, malty ‘wort’ is given an extra-long boil before fermentation.  The sugary liquid caramelizes at the bottom of the kettle, providing the toffee-like flavor that is such a distinctive feature of Scotland’s ales.  Orkney is one of the region’s brewing leaders, and this beer has introduced international beer lovers to this unique style.  Copper-colored, this viscous brew projects exotic yeasty aromas reminiscent of melted bleu cheese.  On the palate, sweet caramel flavors are enriched and accented with smoky peated malt.  SkullSplitter is a snifter-worthy beer to serve in small portions, lest the name becomes reality.

STRONG DARK ALE
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Unibroue "Maudite," $10/12 oz.

Québec’s Unibroue is one of the world leaders in brewing Belgian-inspired ales, and ‘Maudite’ is one of their most fascinating beers.  The beer is aged long on the lees and bottle-conditioned, imparting diverse yeasty scents and flavors not present in malt or hops alone.  Combining Weizenbock-associated caramel and clove aromas with the fiery peppery spice and aged-cheese tang more typical of a Trappist Dubbel, this reddish-amber strong ale resists traditional classification.  Yet who cares when the results are so addictively delicious?  Fragrant without overwhelming, strong without feeling heavy, this beer is a masterpiece that cries out for rich, slow-cooked foods and boldly seasoned sauces.  The name may mean ‘Cursed’, but with this beer, you’re only damned if you don’t try it.

IMPERIAL STOUT
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Dogfish Head "World Wide Stout," $4/12 oz., $8/25 oz.

American brewers are known for pushing the envelope, and Dogfish Head is one of our most creative craft breweries on the home front.  At 18.5% alcohol, World Wide Stout is one of the planet’s strongest beers—packing almost as much heat as a liqueur like Kahlua or a fortified wine like Port.  The beer is an inky black color, and the mildly boozy nose projects aromas of freshly-brewed espresso and melted bittersweet chocolate.  On the palate, malty sweetness is present but not cloying, balanced by the prickle of mild carbonation.  Roasted barley flavor dominates, with a coffee-like twang, while hop bitterness sneaks in to clean up, giving the beer a surprisingly dry finish.  Somehow, this ‘extreme’ beer manages to stay true to stout sensibilities at a strength that would throw most beers for an alcoholic loop.  Try some with dark chocolate for an amazing dessert experience.

AMERICAN CHOCOLATE STOUT
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Rogue "Chocolate Stout," $6/22 oz.

Chocolaty flavors emerge when malted grain is roasted to dark brown. Rogue, in Oregon, goes one step further by adding real chocolate to their brew. Aromas of chocolate-covered cherries and black coffee arouse the senses. A luxuriant mouth-feel complements an opulent, medium-dry chocolate taste experience. This luscious beer qualifies as dessert in its own right.

ERIN GO BREW
Top Irish Beers
St. Paddy's Day shouldn't be the only excuse to drink Irish beer. From ales to lagers to cream ales, Ireland sure knows how to make a solid brew. Try any one of these selections from our top Irish beers list.