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XX Bitter

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

XX Bitter was first brewed after Nino Bacelle and Guido Devos teamed up in the mid-1990s, and it became the beer that made De Ranke's name for bitterness. It is a blond, top-fermented ale of pale pilsner malt, bittered with whole Brewers Gold cones and finished with Hallertau Mittelfrüh, all grown in Belgium. The aroma leans grassy and herbal, with resin, hay and a thread of grapefruit peel over white bread. On the palate a firm, long bitterness runs from the first sip into a dry, peppery finish with light lemon and unripe pear.

ABV
6%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter60 IBU
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
See all Belgian Pale Ale alternatives →

AWARDS

Winner · 2014
Best Belgian Beer of Wallonia
Aromatisée
★Winner — Best Belgian Beer of Wallonia (Aromatisée)
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

Very crisp and firmly bitter.

The hops land quick on a lean frame — a short, pointed finish.

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

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for XX Bitter

◎ Appearance

XX Bitter presents a bright golden-blonde hue with excellent clarity and fine, effervescent carbonation that forms a fine white head. The head maintains good retention and leaves delicate lacing on the glass as the beer is consumed.

bright golden-blondewell-carbonatedfine lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with herbal and grassy notes characteristic of whole Brewers Gold cones, complemented by resinous undertones and hay. White bread maltiness provides a light foundation, while grapefruit peel adds a subtle citrus thread that lifts the overall profile.

herbal, grassyresinous haycitrus peelwhite bread malt

◐ Taste

A firm, pronounced bitterness enters immediately and extends through the mid-palate, defining the beer's character. Unripe pear and light lemon notes emerge alongside peppery spice, creating a complex interplay between bitter and fruit components.

firm bitternesspeppery spicegreen fruit

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and lengthy, with bitterness lingering well into the aftertaste. Peppery and lemon notes persist, leaving a clean, mineral-like dryness.

long, dry finishlingering pepper
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
85
Appearance
80
Finish
78
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of XX Bitter

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 XX Bitter

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, dry, grassy character as XX Bitter 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 →