(Picture from http://www.mybeerbuzz.com)
Brouwerij De Ranke has made a name for itself producing some of Belgium’s hoppier ales. Their XX Bitter is a favorite among fans of Belgian beers who are seeking a little more hop kick than the traditional Belgian beer.
XXX Bitter, as indicated by the extra X, is the hoppier brother to their standard XX Bitter. It is a beer that was created for their importer, Shelton Brothers, for their annual beer festival called “The Festival.” The US release features some draft and 750ml bottles. Although, there are reports that this beer has made appearances at some Belgian beer festivals as well.
Appearance: Light haze, gold with an off-white head, great retention.
Aroma: Earthy hops with a citrus undertone, grapefruit zest, mossy notes, floral hints,
Taste: Nice bitter kick, earthy, woodsy, nice counter spiciness from the yeast in the finish, long hoppy finish.
Overall Impression: This is a Belgian beer for the hop lovers. This is a flavorful, drinkable Belgian Blonde with some great European hop attitude. The big bonus is that at the lower alcohol levels of 6%, this beer can be great summer porch and BBQ beer. The flavor and hops will keep you refreshed and cutting through some fatty foods.
Food Pairing: Grilled Chicken, richer white fish, grilled pork, grilled vegetables.
Availability: Limited and disappearing. This beer is quickly disappearing from shelves as it was a one time special beer. Grab it if you see it. Hopefully the good response this beer has seen will inspire De Ranke to add this one to their full-time portfolio.
6% ABV
