Brouwerij De Ranke De Ranke XX Bitter Belgian IPA at 6.2% ABV
Pours a hazy, intensely bright sunny yellow with a massive pillowy white head that after a full ten minutes’ pouring had finally settled down to three fingers, gradually falling back to a thin skim and minimal lacing. Nose is big and complex, dominated by brett hay and dusty funk, with apples and pears, citrus, and floral hops contributing. Taste is mildly sweet and spicy, with the promised emphatic bitter finish. Mouth feel is light and dry, with sustained prickly carbonation (perhaps assisted by my etched Spiegelau IPA glass).
I’m pretty sure that’s nothing like what it’s “supposed” to taste like when young, but wow, does the brett ever make this beer a handful! Hay and barnyard funk, dry and bitter, with elements of cider and champagne coming through. I’d like to try it fresh on draught as well, but as it stands it’s an excellent beer, albeit one with barely any IPA characteristics at all. Similar to Orval, but with far less dark fruit and malt, or perhaps like a lighter Nómada Gato Negro.
My 83rd from the 2010 Edition of 1001 Beers, 77th by the 2013 Edition, and 85th overall.
8/10 #1001beers #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
