Anyone here ever try to clone this fine fine beer? Could not find a whole lot of information online, but this is what I've gathered so far from those that have tried to clone it: (recipe for 2.5 gallons) 5.5 lbs Pilsner (2 Row) Bel 0.5 lbs clear Belgian Candi Sugar 1 oz brewer's gold @ 60 1 oz hallertauer @ 40 0.5 oz hallertauer @ 30 0.5 oz hallertauer @ 10 mash @ 148 F IBU 96 color 3.7 srm OG: 1.056 FG: 1.008 (or less) ABV: 6.3% yeast: 3522 + dregs? Any feedback on this? Would love to hear back from anyone who's tried to make something close to it, or is a big fan of it, with suggestions. Cheers, Olivier
Really curious to see how this works out for you as I'm a big fan of XX Bitter. Fairly certain there is some Brett in the beer which the dregs should help with but other than that I have no new info to add :-/
Interesting, never heard this. Any sources / links by chance? I know that they used to use the Rodenbach yeast (aka Roeselare, 3763) for xx bitter, but that was many years ago (source: farmhouse ales book).
Some info about that: "Nino Bacelle, the brewmaster at De Ranke, does not use brettanomyces. He uses a clean and cultivated yeast strain for all his beers, except for the Cuvée De Ranke and Kriek De Ranke which uses Rodenbach yeast. " Source: https://www.beeradvocate.com/ratebeer/?path=/forums/brett-in-de-ranke-xx-bitter_151129.htm of course, to be taken with a grain of salt, as any info posted on the web. I'm having an xx bitter now, and its a tough call on the brett... if it is there, it is subtle.
The De Ranke website has a few tips about their beers, I'm not sure if you've checked them out http://www.deranke.be/
It may not matter much, so take it or leave it, but the De Ranke brewers use only whole leaf hops in their beers...and they are very serious about this aspect of their process. Good luck with your clone. I think De Ranke makes some of the best beer out there. Wish Shelton Bros. still distributed in the Carolinas. Bastards.
Yep: "6.2% vol. Alc. It’s famous for it’s very bitter and strong flavour. XX is being made with pale pilsner malt and loads of Brewers Gold and Hallertau hop flowers. "
I'm drinking a Pere Noel right now (my first De Ranke beer) and I would actually be shocked if this isn't Dupont yeast I am tasting. The similarity is uncanny.
