De Ranke XX Bitter
Brouwerij Brasserie De Ranke

De Ranke XX BitterDe Ranke XX Bitter
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From:
Brouwerij Brasserie De Ranke
 
Belgium
Style:
Belgian IPA
Ranked #9
ABV:
6%
Score:
91
Ranked #7,424
Avg:
4.07 | pDev: 11.3%
Reviews:
557
Ratings:
1,047
Status:
Active
Rated:
Sunday at 08:58 PM
Added:
Jan 28, 2002
Wants:
  98
Gots:
  106
XX Bitter or Extra Extra Bitter is a blond, bitter ale containing 6% vol. Alc. It's famous for its very bitter and strong flavour. XX is made with pale pilsner malt and loads of Brewers Gold and Hallertau hop flowers. A perfect combination that has been nationally and internationally praised. This ale has been a real trendsetter for the current comeback of bitter ales in Belgium.
Only whole leaf hops are used.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by metter98:
Photo of metter98
Reviewed by metter98 from New York

4.13/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A: The beer is slightly hazy yellow in color and has a moderate to high amount of carbonation and a small amount of visible particles floating in suspension. It poured with a three finger high bright white head that has excellent retention properties and consistently left a finger high head covering the surface.
S: There are moderate aromas of yeast in the nose along with some notes of floral hops and spices. The spiciness particularly stands out in the finish.
T: Like the smell, flavors of peppery spices and yeast stand out in the overall taste, which has a moderate amount of bitterness.
M: It feels light- to medium bodied, clean and very dry on the palate with a high amount of carbonation.
O: The beer is very easy to drink for the style and the alcohol is well masked from the taste.
Jul 30, 2011
More User Ratings:
Photo of Tolianych_Pivomnabuhanych
Reviewed by Tolianych_Pivomnabuhanych from Vermont

5/5  rDev +22.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
I'll tell you right now, it's not THAT bitter. But - it's pleasant and delicious and tastes a lot more like a proper English IPA.

It is, indeed, unfiltered. It's also unpasteurized. Sort of a dark yellow near pale orange straw color. A very quickly receding foam. A bright summery aroma. Tastes extremely addictive.

It's a 5-pointer all around.
Sunday at 08:58 PM
 
Rated: 4.51 by rangerred from Tennessee

Dec 20, 2023
Photo of DaveMaciolek21
Reviewed by DaveMaciolek21 from New Jersey

4.1/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This New Age Belgian extra bitter ale is unfiltered and unpasteurized so the pour is hazy and you'll want to decant to keep the sediment in the bottom of the bottle. Some lacing from a modest head. The nose is citrus and herbal. The flavor is sharp--not for the dabbler. But it is deep with a long-lasting finish. Cracker malt and citrus bite are most prominent. Really an excellent, full-flavor example of a style you don't find too often. Worth a throwdown.
Nov 06, 2023
Photo of MrOH
Reviewed by MrOH from Maryland

4.07/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Cloudy light amber (got some sediment in the pour), white head, ok retention, rings of lace
Crackery malt and herbal/citrus aroma
Crackery malt, herbal and citrus hop flavor, fruity/bubblegum yeast, lingering herbal bitterness
Medium bodied, soft, could use slightly more carbonation
I really like this
Oct 30, 2023
 
Rated: 3.81 by Chuckdiesel24 from Illinois

Oct 05, 2023
 
Rated: 4.04 by Rainintheface from Florida

Aug 14, 2023
Photo of AzfromOz
Reviewed by AzfromOz from Australia

3.97/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Purchased at Johhny's Off-Licence in Rome in April 2023, muled back to Australia and drunk in June that year.

L: Bright, clear yellow without the sediment, and murky, dark, copper-yellow with it. Big, fluffy, long-lasting, off-white head. Lots of chaotic, small-bubbled carbonation swirling around inside the glass.

S: Yeast, Belgian phenolic cloveyness, nutmeg and coriander. You're very obviously drinking a Belgian beer here.

T: Strongly following the nose with the addition of pear and orchard fruits and a subtle, earthy bitterness. There's a surprising amount of alcohol warmth for a 6% ABV beer.

M: mouthfeel is smooth. Carbonation is minimal.

O: A very nice, bitter, phenolic IPA.

Cheers!
#250
Jun 11, 2023
 
Rated: 3.84 by WDJersey from Colorado

Jun 11, 2023
Photo of KleinSchwein
Reviewed by KleinSchwein

4.16/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 330ml bottle .

The pour is medium hazy , a thick white head sits atop orange brown beer leaving scant lacing at it reduces to a small foam island. The smell is very yeasty, malt and hops are there too , the taste follows somewhat from the smell , yeast flavour is strong whilst the malt and hop flavours are more subtle , bitter orange in the background as the beer gets sweeter as it warms , the beer is smooth and has a lovely, almost harsh bitterness that builds .The mouthfeel is thick with carbonation . Overall, a good beer . It starts as a typical, but good , Belgian pale and changes with the addition of the bitterness .
May 07, 2023
 
Rated: 4.27 by TheRatCage from Connecticut

May 07, 2023
 
Rated: 4.13 by belgocanuck from Belgium

May 04, 2023
 
Rated: 4.06 by cambabeer from New York

Mar 02, 2023
Photo of JacobusFavier23
Reviewed by JacobusFavier23 from Texas

4.04/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
L-Slight lacy head that dissipates quickly. Straw/gold in color. Clear and bubbly.
S-Floral aroma, sweet grain, earthy decay, sweet grass. Some notes of saaz hop. Some notes of rubber/tar.
T-Grainy and bitter with slight sweetness. Slightly funky. Earthy undertones. The beer gets sweeter as it warms.
F-Medium bodied with a dry finish. Solid carbonation.
O-Very solid and interesting beer. Love the organic earthy characteristics. Would seek out again.
Jan 02, 2023
Photo of GuyFawkes
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois

3.67/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
"Expires 7/30/23"; drank 12/24/22 @ Pokemon Communion.

Drank straight from the bottle; no visual cues.

Fresh flowers, barn funk & dry wheat notes in the nose.

Medium mouthfeel.

Dry grass, barn funk & dried flower flavors.

Pretty dry, but drinkable. Not one I'll seek out again, however.
Dec 28, 2022
Photo of AD828321
Rated by AD828321 from Wales

5/5  rDev +22.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Great strength, flavour and mouthfeel. The perfect beer.
Dec 19, 2022
Photo of MonDak_Joe1953
Reviewed by MonDak_Joe1953 from Minnesota

4.16/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
33cl bottle. Label has best by date stamped as '05/05/2024'.
Cloudy pale gold colored body. More white head than body upon first pour. second pour was 60/40 body to white foam. Took a few minutes to get the entire bottle pour into the glass. Foam is whipped cream-like.
Aroma has the ester smells of cloves, slight pencil eraser, and pear. Floral hops. Toasted malt.
Taste is spicy, with peach and pineapple. Honey sweet. Pepper and slight cloves. Spice and pineapple pith in the aftertaste.
Fuller mouth feel. Slight metallic tone. Keeps the mouth coated. Excellent carbonation.
Belgian yeast yields spice and hops bring forth fruit. Very well made brew.
Dec 11, 2022
Photo of RaulMondesi
Reviewed by RaulMondesi from California

4.1/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
The first thing that comes to mind is the film, “Bad Day at Black Rock.” After my first viewing, Raul wasn’t feeling it. Raul wasn’t feeling it at all. And just like my first sip of XX Bitter - no sir! But just like Bad Day, Raul decided to dive in again with XX. Second viewing? Can Raul get a “hell yeah?” Second sip, “Awooooooo!” Thing is, it’s just such a rare style for the Raul man. Just like Spencer Tracy doing Judo, it took a second to get used to. But now that have more experience with it, let’s go. Let’s go again again again.
Dec 01, 2022
Photo of Rug
Reviewed by Rug from Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Best by 2/2/24

I was happy to finally run across this one in the wild after hearing about it for years. It’s basically the OG Belgian IPA as far as I’m aware, and probably one of the only examples of the style even floating around these days. Let’s crack it open and see what it’s all about

Pours a mostly clear yellow gold with 3 fingers of creamy off white head that slowly fades to a cap and leaves decent lacing

The nose here kinda reminds me of Orval, just a bit less bold. I’m picking up on aromas of lemon zest, pear skin, honey, crackery malt, white pepper, clove, grassy hops, and a touch of pineapple

It’s similar in taste, but it loses some of the brightness unfortunately. On the front end of the sip I’m tasting pineapple, bready malt, lemon juice, earthy hops, apple skin, and light clove. The swallow brings notes of herbal hops, clove, crackery malt, wildflower honey, white pepper, pineapple, and light pear skin

A medium body pairs with gentle carbonation, resulting in a slick and refreshing beer. Finishes dry with a nice spice to it

This is solid stuff. A bit lacking in flavor but a classic for a reason
Nov 11, 2022
De Ranke XX Bitter from Brouwerij Brasserie De Ranke
Beer rating: 91 out of 100 with 1047 ratings