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DE RANKE XX BITTER: Beer of the month

Last Updated on December 19, 2012 by stevehoggbikefitting.com

This has been the coldest winter in my part of the world for about 40 years. So I’ve been drinking heavy, syrupy beers that tend to suit the unusual weather (and yes, I know I’m a sook when compared to what Europeans and Canadians and others go through during real winters. All things are relative). The problem is that not many heavy beers are bitter, and I do like a bitter beer.

Peter Montford changed my beer world last week by giving me a bottle of De Ranke XX Bitter last week. XX is a Belgian  6% unpasteurised, unfiltered, fragrant, light and extraordinarily bitter beer. It is extremely pale, cloudy and malty and for a light beer, one to savour. No ‘syrup’ but plenty of body for a medium alcohol beer. If you are into bitter beers, then track this one down. Highly, highly recommended.  And thank you Peter. You’ve done me a bigger favour than you know.

Until now, Chimay Cinq Cents has been my favourite Belgian beer. In part because it is cloudy, unfiltered and bitter. Cross Cinq Cents with Orval, add more hops again, several layers of complexity, a bit of wet horse blanket, and something like XX would result. Buy it and try it.

The brewery seems to be a scaled up homebrewing operation. More about the story of De Ranke here

Enjoy. This is the early front runner for Beer of the Year!

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Comments (9)

  1. What a surprise you know this beer
    It is indeed a great beer from a very small producer.
    It is even served in Michelin star rated restaurants, where it is usually paired with tastefull cheeses like Epoisses.

    Philip

    1. G’day Philip,
      I’m a big believer that if I must imbibe poison (alcohol), it should be high quality poison. I don’t drink a lot but I like to drink quality. If I ever make any money, I would like to go on a cycle tour of the better Belgian breweries. I think De Ranke and Westvleteren would be the first two stops. I take it you are Belgian, so if you ever want to pass on your beer recommendations, please do!

  2. Hi Steve,

    Second time this year (I think) Cowboys & Bunnies win on same weekend?
    I went to the game here on Sat night & the locals played well without Thurston. Panthers are a big side and they toughed it out with them early and a bit of pin point kicking by Bowen got them tries in the second half. Young PNG hooker from Cairns James Segyaro had a blinder off the bench. Been in U20’s last 2 seasons and adds spark to the side. Time to let Payne go. Young man’s game. I didn’t see Souths game but listened to it on ABC radio. Great comeback by them. Maybe a chance on making semis? Would love to see them finish season strong for John Lang. Have a good week.D

    PS Chimay Cinq Cents & the 3 Monts my favourite beer from the selection you sent up.

    1. G’day Darren,
      Bloody football! Being a Souths fan is hard. I switched off the TV when they were down 20 blot after 18 minutes, only to find later that they had won 32 – 24 after really giving it to Saints up front with a relatively lightweight, makeshift forward pack. Don’t know where that came from. Serves me right for having no faith. I saw reports on the Cowboys game where the commentators were piling on the comments. And Thurston still to return. I feel more confident about the Cowboys making the semis than I do the Bunnies. Bring on 2012.

      I think you’ve made the best choices with Chimay white and Trois Monts. Have a look at this. They’ll ship anywhere in the country. http://www.internationalbeershop.com.au/pricelist.asp

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