The ale I selected was Loterbol, the flagship beer of this small, six-year-old brewery in the town of Diest. As I was in Belgium, where hoppy beers can hardly be considered the norm, I was quite surprised when a strong, apparently dry-hopped aroma greeted my nose. This character continues in the flavour, with a light sweetness at the start quickly giving way to a mildly fruity, bitter and herbal body. The finish carries a soft vegetal flavour, some notable alcohol (from the beer's 7% ABV) and a lingering, though reduced bitterness. Overall, I was left with the impression of a Belgian India pale ale.

     The XX Bitter from De Ranke might still hold the mantle of the bitterest beer in Belgium, but for my money, the Loterbol is rather better balanced. This is a beer, and a brewery, I will explore more fully on my next visit to 'Het Bierland.'

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