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Simplex

Brouwerij De Ranke
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🌍 Belgium · Belgian Pale Ale · One of 26 Belgian Pale Ales in hopIQ

Simplex arrived in spring 2017 as a light, low-strength addition to the De Ranke range. It is a top-fermented ale designed to show what an old-fashioned pils once had: straw-blond, unfiltered, unpasteurised, generously hopped with whole cones and firmly bitter at only 4.5 percent. The label even states that it is not a pils. Grassy, herbal hops and a hint of lemon peel sit over doughy, grainy malt on the nose. The palate stays light and crisp, and a lingering, piney bitterness dries out the finish.

ABV
4.5%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter50 IBU
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
See all Belgian Pale Ale alternatives →
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Substantial body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Firm bitter edge.
mildbitter
Texture
Very crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

A sharp texture drives the beer — a clean, direct pour with room for the palate to fill in.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Belgian Pale Ale.
Hop character
grassy
hoppy
herbal
piney
Malt character
malty
Fermentation & yeast
fruity
Distinctive notes
citrusy

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Simplex

◎ Appearance

Simplex presents a straw-blond hue characteristic of a classically hopped pale ale, with a natural haze from its unfiltered status. The head forms readily and displays solid lacing persistence, reflective of its top-fermented character and lack of pasteurization. Carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, contributing to a fresh and lively presentation.

straw-blondunfiltered, hazypersistent lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with pronounced grassy and herbal hop character, delivered by generous whole-cone additions. Beneath the Edelhopfen profile lies a delicate citrus edge reminiscent of lemon peel, supported by a doughy, grainy malt foundation that grounds the composition without dominating. The overall impression is light and inviting, with no obtrusive esters or phenolics.

grassy, herbal hopslemon peeldoughy malt

◐ Taste

Entry is crisp and clean, with the light malt character establishing a soft, grainy platform. Mid-palate remains dry and refreshing, the low 4.5% ABV allowing hop expression to assert itself clearly. A lingering, piney bitterness builds gradually, drying the mouth without harshness and maintaining focus through the swallow.

crisp, dry palatepiney bitternesslight-bodied

◑ Finish

The finish is notably persistent, with the piney bitterness extending well into the aftertaste. Residual dryness lingers pleasantly, leaving a clean and thirst-quenching sensation that invites another sip.

lingering bitternessclean, dry
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
77
Appearance
76
Finish
78
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Simplex

Serve at 7–10°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 7–10°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Goblet
Recommended for this style

The wide mouth and heavy base promote head formation and channel rich aromatics toward the nose. Traditional for Belgian strong ales.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Simplex

About Belgian Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Belgian Pale Ale?

Pale Ales balance malt sweetness with moderate hop character at 4.5–6% ABV and IBU 20–40. Approachable with floral, citrus or earthy notes over a biscuit malt base.

Finding a similar Belgian Pale Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same bitter, grassy, crisp character as Simplex will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Belgian Pale Ales in hopIQ

Compare with another beer →Explore all Belgian Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse Belgium beers →