Rated 97/100 RateBeer
"The hoppiest and some say the very best beer of Belgium.
The De Ranke brewery was founded by two good friends, Nino Bacelle and Guido Devos. Their story is a classic in Belgium, where the very best craft brewing usually begins as a passionately pursued hobby, not an occupation. For Nino and Guido, brewing is literally a weekend obsession. For a few hours on Friday and Saturday, every week, the marvelous turn-of-the-century Deca Brewery in West Flanders is turned over to the De Ranke brewers, who make small batches of what many consider the best specialty beers of Belgium. Their beers are robust and flavorful, and famous for their massive hoppiness.
XX Bitter is a very weighty beer, aggressively brewed to be the hoppiest in Belgium. Some more delicate palates are put off right away. Those warriors who accept the challenge, and take time to sort through the barrage of sensory impressions, usually end up loving it. It is first of all remarkably hoppy – and it persists in its hoppiness unto the bitter end – but it does not want for balancing maltiness. In the middle is a “barnyard” Brettanomyces yeast character that is very reminiscent of Orval in its heyday.
You might say this beer is Orval with everything turned up to 11, which is exactly what the brewers were seeking." -- importer
"The hoppiest and some say the very best beer of Belgium.
The De Ranke brewery was founded by two good friends, Nino Bacelle and Guido Devos. Their story is a classic in Belgium, where the very best craft brewing usually begins as a passionately pursued hobby, not an occupation. For Nino and Guido, brewing is literally a weekend obsession. For a few hours on Friday and Saturday, every week, the marvelous turn-of-the-century Deca Brewery in West Flanders is turned over to the De Ranke brewers, who make small batches of what many consider the best specialty beers of Belgium. Their beers are robust and flavorful, and famous for their massive hoppiness.
XX Bitter is a very weighty beer, aggressively brewed to be the hoppiest in Belgium. Some more delicate palates are put off right away. Those warriors who accept the challenge, and take time to sort through the barrage of sensory impressions, usually end up loving it. It is first of all remarkably hoppy – and it persists in its hoppiness unto the bitter end – but it does not want for balancing maltiness. In the middle is a “barnyard” Brettanomyces yeast character that is very reminiscent of Orval in its heyday.
You might say this beer is Orval with everything turned up to 11, which is exactly what the brewers were seeking." -- importer
De Ranke Guldenberg...$12.99 / 750ml
Rated 96/100 RateBeer
"De Ranke beers are robust and flavorful and famous for their massive hoppiness. Made in small batches only on the weekends, they are quickly gaining a reputation as the best specialty beers of Belgium. A strong blonde ale of about 8.5% alc. by volume that claims vaguely to be an “abbey” beer, Guldenberg bears no resemblance whatsoever to any Tripel you may have sampled, except in color perhaps. It is very hoppy and malty (though not quite as assertive as De Ranke’s XX Bitter). A wine-loving friend of ours pronounced it “too good to be beer.” We’ll just say that Guldenberg shows just how good beer can be." -- importer
De Ranke Noir de Dottignies...$12.99 / 750ml
Rated 95/100 RateBeer
Belgian Dark Ale
"This dark ale comes in at 9% vol. alc., with a very rich taste due to the use of no less than 6 different malts. These give the brew its rich, deep, almost black color. The generous dose of Challenger and Saaz hops provide the balance between sweet and bitter." -- brewery
"This dark ale comes in at 9% vol. alc., with a very rich taste due to the use of no less than 6 different malts. These give the brew its rich, deep, almost black color. The generous dose of Challenger and Saaz hops provide the balance between sweet and bitter." -- brewery
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