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XXX Bitter

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

XXX Bitter began when an American beer festival asked De Ranke for a dry-hopped version of XX Bitter. Instead of dry hopping, the brewery raised the hop charge by half, from about ten to fifteen grams of whole cones per litre, on the same pale pilsner malt and top-fermenting yeast. Despite the higher bitterness units, the larger share of aroma hops makes it come across softer than its sibling. The nose shows fresh-cut grass, hay, mint and white pepper; the palate brings a sharp, green bitterness with lemon zest, a hint of honey and a crisp, bone-dry finish.

ABV
6%
Bitterness
Very bitter70 IBU
Citrus 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
Sharp bitter finish.
mildbitter
Texture
Very crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

Assertively bitter and very crisp.

A pointed edge with a quick close — the beer speaks with purpose and clears the palate fast.

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

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for XXX Bitter

◎ Appearance

A pale golden hue with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent head that leaves distinct lacework on the glass. The beer presents a lively carbonation that maintains steady streams of bubbles throughout the pour.

pale goldclearfine lacing

◌ Aroma

Fresh herbal notes dominate, with distinct impressions of cut grass and hay mingling with subtle mint undertones. White pepper spice emerges on the mid-palate, while understated noble hop character provides a classic, restrained backdrop without overwhelming floral or citrus notes.

fresh grassmintwhite pepperherbal hop

◐ Taste

The palate arrives with a sharp, green bitterness that builds steadily without harshness. Lemon zest provides bright acidity across the mid-palate, while a delicate honey note softens the overall impression, preventing the elevated IBU from becoming austere or aggressive.

green bitternesslemon zesthoney sweetness

◑ Finish

The finish is crisp and bone-dry, with the bitterness fading cleanly to leave a mineral, peppery aftertaste. The drying character persists with pleasant grip, inviting another sip.

bone-drypeppery aftertaste
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
82
Appearance
85
Finish
80
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of XXX 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 XXX 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 XXX 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 →