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)
Chouffe's special 40th Birthday beer
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 special pale ale with bitter orange peel was brewed to celebrate the 40th anniversary of De Dolle Brouwers
A Belgian ale 100% fermented with a Brussels Brettanomyces yeast, conditioned for 4 months in the bottle before release
The first beer in the trilogy of collaborations to celebrate 20 years of Zinnebir
The second beer in the 'Zinnebir' celebration/collaboration series
A Belgian ale with an assertive hop bitterness, brewed to the character of an old style pilsner
A Belgian Pale Ale that uses three special herbs from the Flemish Ardennes region
Although the name has changed, this Belgian Pale Ale was the first beer produced by the brewery
A lovely blond bitter beer from one of Belgium's home-brewing success stories
by Brasserie de la Cambre (Brouwerij Het Anker)
A beer that describes itself as a Belgian IPA, but I think it is more a hoppy Belgian Pale
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 very tasty amber coloured Belgian Pale Ale that uses four different malts and five different hops
by Brasserie Artisanale de Rulles
A tasty Belgian Pale Ale with more than a hint of saison about it
A Belgian Blond that has achieved some notable recognition on the world beer stage
by Brasserie du l'Abbeye du Val-Dieu
A special Belgian Pale Ale made to celebrate the 800 year history of the Val-Dieu Abbey
A light and sessionable Belgian Pale Ale (or light Belgian Blond) that proudly uses 'No American Hops'
by Abdij Der Trappisten Van Westmalle
The beer that the monks of Westmalle usually keep to themselves
by Abdij Der Trappisten Van Westmalle
Westmalle's Trappist pale ale - the beer the Monk's drink
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.
