Friday Beer of the Week at Amsterdam's Cafe Batavia 1920

When in Amsterdam....drink beer that is not pilsner.

Amsterdam has approximately 1 200 bars for a population of around 780 000 people. Many bars in Amsterdam serve only one tap beer normally a pilsner, which is a type of lager. The most famous Dutch pilsner is Heineken, other brands include Grolsch, Bavaria and Amstel. 90% of the beer sold in the Netherlands is pilsner.

When in Amsterdam is a fan of small. Over the next weeks we bring attention to the small 10% of beer consumed in the Netherlands. We do this with the assistance of Cafe Batavia 1920. Cafe Batavia has 42 beers on its list. Its central location, good pub food, comfortable smoking quarter and private function room make this bar an easy option when near Amsterdam's Centraal Station.

This week's beer of the week is Delirium Nocturnum. A triple fermented Belgium dark ale.The beer is brewed by the 350 year old family owned Belgian Brouwerij Huyghe.   

The Delirium Nocturnum (translated from Latin as Night Madness) is made using 3 different yeasts and 5 different malts. This results in a complex taste that changes with age. On drinking we found chocolate smoothness with a long finish that had a hint of spice. An alcohol rating of 8.5% provides plenty of body. With the temperature of Amsterdam spring nights just above freezing this Belgian dark ale will add some warmth to your own Amsterdam night of madness.

When in Amsterdam....enjoy!