The two friends who started the De Ranke brewery as a weekend hobby using borrowed time on an established brewery’s system, have progressed to setting up their own small brewery in the town of Wevelgem.
They quickly became known for using more hops than normal in all their beers, so it seems appropriate that XX Bitter is reputedly the hoppiest of all Belgian beers.
It pours a golden yellow, with a thick white head. The aroma is of Belgian yeast, as well as grassy floral hops.
These attributes carry through in the taste. There is a definite malt backbone to support the hop bitterness. Add to this a wonderfully intriguing Brettanomyces yeast character with a lovely dry finish.
XX Bitter has been described as ‘Orval with everything dialed up to 11’
Ever tried XXX?: a special, one-off brew for the American importer Shelton Brothers was made. It was available in keg and 750ml bottles. It was an even hoppier version of the XX Bitter, and well worth trying if you ever see it about.
by Belgoo Beer
A beer that is a cross between a Belgian Pale Ale and a traditional saison
A lovely crisp and flavoursome Belgian Pale Ale featuring Crystal & Tettnang hops
Another variation of BBNo's Belgian Pale style, this time featuring Hallertau Blanc and Mandarina Bavaria hops
The 2014 vintage of De La Senne's commemorative brew - a ripper Belgian Pale Ale
De La Senne's once-a-year birthday celebratory pale ale, this time using an experimental hop from Slovenia
by Brasserie d'Achouffe (Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat)
The spring time seasonal beer from La Chouffe
This is an unfiltered, naturally cloudy lager that bridges the gap between commercial beers and a Belgian Blond Ale
A Belgian ale 100% fermented with a Brussels Brettanomyces yeast, conditioned for 4 months in the bottle before release
A Belgian ale with an assertive hop bitterness, brewed to the character of an old style pilsner
A lovely blond bitter beer from one of Belgium's home-brewing success stories
A slightly happier Belgian pale ale from Brasserie Les 3 Fourquets
by Brasserie Artisinale Millevertus
A really well-balanced Belgian Pale Ale featuring Chinook hops
A Belgian ale with an assertive hop bitterness, brewed to the character of an old style pilsner
A brilliant variation to the normal tripel style; a crisp, dry delicious ale with a strong hop aroma and flavour.
The best features of a traditional strong ale, and the added earthiness of noble hops used in abundance
A classic Belgian saison from Brouwerij De Ranke - hoppy and floral with a dry finish.
