De Ranke XX Bitter

“Impressive robust head. Earthy hop-forward nose. Peppery citrus component in the flavor melds with earthiness. Slightly floral and spicy hop flavor up front. Moderate but pleasant bitterness lingers in the finish. A very attractive beer.”

**Aroma:** “Moderate spicy hops up front with a touch of honey and bread. Light skunk note perhaps? High fruity esters of lemon and citrus with a slight lemongrass and grapefruit pith. Wet hay funk and herbal hops follow with a bit of bready malt. A bit of oxidation in the aroma.” **Flavor:** “Big sweetness up front with a honey note and light lime. Transitions into a bitter, spicy note that extends all the way into the aftertaste. Big/high American hops flavor of grapefruit and other citrus. Orange and wet hay “farmhouse” character. Bitterness lingers beyond the finish. Dry and nice carbonation.” **Overall:** “Medium body and a moderate sweetness up front are a nice introduction, but then it transitions into a spicy bitterness that is very dry and lasts well after the sip. Citrusy with an earthy funk and finishes with a moderate bitterness. Dry and drinkable with nice complexity.”

**Aroma:** “Big Brett complexity with notes of horse blanket, damp leather, tobacco, light apple, and grape. A moderate amount of oak. Big red apple and wild barn.” **Flavor:** “Big lacto sour notes and strong bitterness with a touch of acetic. Very, very oaky with strong Brett notes of horse blanket and leather, but watered down, VERY astringent—apples are lurking in the background, offering a bit of cider vinegar character and fruitiness, but no brightness at all. Obvious oak, could use a touch more sweet apple. Acidity is fun and varied with great aged character.” **Overall:** “This is more of a sour with apple than a cider with sour character, as the sour character significantly overshadows any apple characteristics present. Flavor picks up the Brett with an apple background, but it’s polariz- ing—you’ll either find it fantastic or a disappointment.”