Reunion Island is pleased to open the first brasserie of the Belgian franchise, "Delirium Tremens," founded in 2004. It's still a family business in Brussels that have been resumed for generations. It's Bertrand who is the progenitor on the island. Going off to Mainland France three years ago, with the aim of bringing a few ideas to set up his own brewery, he came back with a challenge: make this concept known in the tropics.

It's along the waterfront in Saint Pierre in the South that nightlife activities are always in full swing. Since the last 8th June, there are over two hundred and fifty varieties of beer to be sampled...at the same place. A challenge across the island whereof the inhabitants trust nothing else than the local beer, "la dodo"!

And yet it works, and rather well since things are well organised. The original neon lights have been replaced by soft light and the interior design has improved.

Tourists, locals, youngsters and older ones discover a bar featuring an array of beers. Everything is available to suit every taste. For those who want to act tough, there is the "submachine gun" a series of small glasses to be drunk at one go. There is the "Floris" for the girls which are fruity and the fair trade beers for the activists. For example, a banana or coconut flavoured beer, according to a "Massai" recipe...

The beer comes from Africa...

Is the beer a European invention? "Not at all," explained Bertrand, the owner, "it's in Egypt that the beer recipe happened to be discovered for the first time whilst boiling lengthily the corns or other cereals with water to kill the germs during epidemics." In ancient times, the Celts also produce this. Brazil, Cameroun, India, Mexico or Canada, it's at "Delirium Tremens" that the beer taste experience begins although the most sought out and numerous breweries come from Belgium, Holland or Denmark.

One also comes to dance along the seafront on Wednesdays. There are salsa beginners course with Saint-Just and karaoke night. The gourmets will spot a dining room at the back, featuring a rich, copious and value for money menu!

Text & photos: Fanny Peroz.