Kwak
Brouwerij Bosteels
Beer Geek Stats
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- From:
- Brouwerij Bosteels
- Belgium
- Style:
- Strong Ale - Belgian Pale
Ranked #130 - ABV:
- 8.4%
- Score:
- 86
Ranked #21,325 - Avg:
- 3.8 | pDev: 12.89%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- May 29, 2022
- Added:
- Jun 30, 2001
- Wants:
- 71
- Gots:
- 431
SCORE
86
Very Good
86
Very Good
Notes:
In Napoleon’s time Pauwel Kwak was a brewer and owner of the ‘De Hoorn’ inn in Dendermonde. Mail coaches stopped there every day. But at that time coachmen were not allowed to leave their coach and horses in order to have their thirst quenched along with their passengers. As a result, the inventive innkeeper had a special Kwak glass blown that could be hung on the coach.
In this way the coachman had his Kwak beer safely at hand. Today Kwak is one of the few remaining historic Belgian beers and is still served with respect for tradition in its original kwak glass. Recognizable, special and just as idiosyncratic as the taste of the beer itself.
Kwak is a traditional strong Belgian amber ale, a perfect blend of malt and hops with a great complexity of flavour.
In this way the coachman had his Kwak beer safely at hand. Today Kwak is one of the few remaining historic Belgian beers and is still served with respect for tradition in its original kwak glass. Recognizable, special and just as idiosyncratic as the taste of the beer itself.
Kwak is a traditional strong Belgian amber ale, a perfect blend of malt and hops with a great complexity of flavour.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
3.92/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by detgfrsh from Texas
On tap in the distinctive glass and stand. Amber color with a thick layer of white head. Smells of brown sugar and cloves. Medium body and smooth feel. Taste is sweet, reminiscent of pear cider, with a dry finish. Interesting beer, never had anything quite like it
May 29, 2022
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by detgfrsh from Texas
On tap in the distinctive glass and stand. Amber color with a thick layer of white head. Smells of brown sugar and cloves. Medium body and smooth feel. Taste is sweet, reminiscent of pear cider, with a dry finish. Interesting beer, never had anything quite like it
May 29, 2022
3.92 by cold_beer on May 20, 2022
3.8/5 rDev 0%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
by ivanbrew
KWAK definitely haves nice color and amazing aroma but flavor is way to sweet for me that was the only draw back!
Apr 17, 2022
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
by ivanbrew
KWAK definitely haves nice color and amazing aroma but flavor is way to sweet for me that was the only draw back!
Apr 17, 2022
4.12/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by CantDrinkEveryBeer from Virginia
Gift set of four 12 oz bottles with a quarter yard glass, the traditional glass for this beer. Cellared for three years, I've chilled these just a few months past the best by date.
Appearance: Pours a thick, rich amber, with some dark sediment suspended. Thin head with minimal lacing.
Smell: Nose is honey, cloves, and brown sugar. Very heavy and sweet.
Taste: Initial flavor is juicy. Apple cider, Nashi pear, honey, and a bit of orange rind bitterness. A maltiness follows; Hawaiian sweet bread, which then settles on the palate. The finish is very sweet, mead-like and cloying. There's a very distinct progression in the flavors, very pleasing to sip slowly and savor.
Feel: Exquisite; thick, sticky and bubbly. Again, redolent of cold apple cider.
Overall: I've only had a few Belgians, but this is my favorite (so far!). The aging really brought out the best in this beer, and even my non-drinking mother found it to be delicious. Looking forward to the other three bottles.
Apr 10, 2022
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by CantDrinkEveryBeer from Virginia
Gift set of four 12 oz bottles with a quarter yard glass, the traditional glass for this beer. Cellared for three years, I've chilled these just a few months past the best by date.
Appearance: Pours a thick, rich amber, with some dark sediment suspended. Thin head with minimal lacing.
Smell: Nose is honey, cloves, and brown sugar. Very heavy and sweet.
Taste: Initial flavor is juicy. Apple cider, Nashi pear, honey, and a bit of orange rind bitterness. A maltiness follows; Hawaiian sweet bread, which then settles on the palate. The finish is very sweet, mead-like and cloying. There's a very distinct progression in the flavors, very pleasing to sip slowly and savor.
Feel: Exquisite; thick, sticky and bubbly. Again, redolent of cold apple cider.
Overall: I've only had a few Belgians, but this is my favorite (so far!). The aging really brought out the best in this beer, and even my non-drinking mother found it to be delicious. Looking forward to the other three bottles.
Apr 10, 2022
3.81/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by Manta200 from Kentucky
4-bottle gift box with glass from Jungle Jim's
Mar 31, 2022
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by Manta200 from Kentucky
4-bottle gift box with glass from Jungle Jim's
Mar 31, 2022
4.5 by TheRatCage from Connecticut on Feb 11, 2022
3.98 by Silke_Neryn from Sweden on Feb 08, 2022
4.3 by Rhetion from Florida on Jan 30, 2022
3.83 by bojmil on Jan 09, 2022
4 by Tenebris on Dec 16, 2021
3.87 by Wer34truh from Minnesota on Dec 12, 2021
4 by KT3418 from Colorado on Nov 25, 2021
4.09 by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota on Oct 25, 2021
3.9 by SSGCujo from Wisconsin on Oct 16, 2021
4 by altrio on Oct 04, 2021
4.2/5 rDev +10.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by smcolw from Massachusetts
This is a sweet, Tripel-like beer. Rich with a good carbonation. Very easy drinking but also rich and full flavored. No lacing from the modest head. Short aftertaste.
Sep 26, 2021
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by smcolw from Massachusetts
This is a sweet, Tripel-like beer. Rich with a good carbonation. Very easy drinking but also rich and full flavored. No lacing from the modest head. Short aftertaste.
Sep 26, 2021
3.93 by Ushouldbeworkinh from Portugal on Sep 20, 2021
4.29/5 rDev +12.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by officerbill from New York
L: pours a beautiful copper/orange amber with a tall, slowly dissolving tan head and continuous tiny bubbles
S: bananas, clove
T: banana, dates, raisins, caramel, sticky buns, burnt sugar, some over ripe apple or pear, no hops or bitterness
F: smooth and rich, mild carbonation, slightly sticky coating, and a very mild, very subdued touch of bitter in the aftertaste
O: so so good, smooth and easy drinking, a sweet beer with no noticeable hoppiness, missing that trademark Belgian funk and maybe a little too sweet (even compared to other Belgians) for many drinkers.
If you want hops in your beer don't bother with Kwak. This is a sweet beer with no noticeable hop presence and a profile almost reminiscent of a dunkelweiss.
Very smooth, rich, easy to drink and you don't feel the 8.4% until the end of the bottle.
Jul 31, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by officerbill from New York
L: pours a beautiful copper/orange amber with a tall, slowly dissolving tan head and continuous tiny bubbles
S: bananas, clove
T: banana, dates, raisins, caramel, sticky buns, burnt sugar, some over ripe apple or pear, no hops or bitterness
F: smooth and rich, mild carbonation, slightly sticky coating, and a very mild, very subdued touch of bitter in the aftertaste
O: so so good, smooth and easy drinking, a sweet beer with no noticeable hoppiness, missing that trademark Belgian funk and maybe a little too sweet (even compared to other Belgians) for many drinkers.
If you want hops in your beer don't bother with Kwak. This is a sweet beer with no noticeable hop presence and a profile almost reminiscent of a dunkelweiss.
Very smooth, rich, easy to drink and you don't feel the 8.4% until the end of the bottle.
Jul 31, 2021
3.6/5 rDev -5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by Sabtos from Ohio
A chill haze clears out to an acorn-copper body under a moderately dense khaki head settling to a creamy curled collar.
Esters and phenols work in tandem: cherry on toasted graham and gingerbread with a light spice.
Very unique, and insanely old world, it's like a hard cider but with a different fruit--not quite the mango or pineapple the brewery itself describes it as, but I guess I can see the resemblance, as it's fairly sweet overall, and I also get a hint of bubblegum.
The round yet lighter body has a fine then expanding froth and finishes semi-dry.
I'll be the one to say it: this is a weird beer. It's kind of like having some food or drink after chewing gum, with that slight waxy aftertaste.
Jun 28, 2021
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by Sabtos from Ohio
A chill haze clears out to an acorn-copper body under a moderately dense khaki head settling to a creamy curled collar.
Esters and phenols work in tandem: cherry on toasted graham and gingerbread with a light spice.
Very unique, and insanely old world, it's like a hard cider but with a different fruit--not quite the mango or pineapple the brewery itself describes it as, but I guess I can see the resemblance, as it's fairly sweet overall, and I also get a hint of bubblegum.
The round yet lighter body has a fine then expanding froth and finishes semi-dry.
I'll be the one to say it: this is a weird beer. It's kind of like having some food or drink after chewing gum, with that slight waxy aftertaste.
Jun 28, 2021
3.83 by Daneve76 from Australia on May 26, 2021
4.42 by Curt3 from New Jersey on May 22, 2021
3.99/5 rDev +5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by sjrider from California
Bottle pour- not quite clear amber/copper with long lasting thick off white head. Nose brings candi sugar, yeast ,spice and an earthiness. Taste follows with hints of fruit and caramel. Smooth finish with plenty of carbonation. ABV well hidden
May 09, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by sjrider from California
Bottle pour- not quite clear amber/copper with long lasting thick off white head. Nose brings candi sugar, yeast ,spice and an earthiness. Taste follows with hints of fruit and caramel. Smooth finish with plenty of carbonation. ABV well hidden
May 09, 2021
4 by Enomas from Portugal on Apr 29, 2021
4.24/5 rDev +11.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by BPVandenbroek from Canada (AB)
Kwak pours into my glass slightly hazy and the color of polished gold. The head is dense, off white, and lasting.
Very rich set of aromas on this beer. Hints of candi sugar and spice up front, moving very quickly into caramel candies. Caramel is supported by hints of leather and tobacco, reinforcing the aroma's overall spiciness. Then I get what smells like ripe summer berries, especially strawberry. All these elements combine to give an aroma that is at once both vinous and gently barnyard in character.
Kwak is smooth bodied, nicely rounded in the middle, and very full flavored. Flavors of caramel and spiciness lead the charge before moving into barnyardy flavors of leather, horse blanket, and tobacco. The center is vinous in nature, giving flavors of ripe grape rather than the berries I noted in the nose. Slight alcoholic spiciness somehow feels appropriate here.
It's pleasantly complex boasting the spiciness you might expect from a Belgian beer and coupling that with a vinous, barnyard profile. And yet the flavors and aromas are restrained enough to prevent them from becoming off putting. This is a very enjoyable beer to sip on during a cool, autumn evening.
Apr 22, 2021
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by BPVandenbroek from Canada (AB)
Kwak pours into my glass slightly hazy and the color of polished gold. The head is dense, off white, and lasting.
Very rich set of aromas on this beer. Hints of candi sugar and spice up front, moving very quickly into caramel candies. Caramel is supported by hints of leather and tobacco, reinforcing the aroma's overall spiciness. Then I get what smells like ripe summer berries, especially strawberry. All these elements combine to give an aroma that is at once both vinous and gently barnyard in character.
Kwak is smooth bodied, nicely rounded in the middle, and very full flavored. Flavors of caramel and spiciness lead the charge before moving into barnyardy flavors of leather, horse blanket, and tobacco. The center is vinous in nature, giving flavors of ripe grape rather than the berries I noted in the nose. Slight alcoholic spiciness somehow feels appropriate here.
It's pleasantly complex boasting the spiciness you might expect from a Belgian beer and coupling that with a vinous, barnyard profile. And yet the flavors and aromas are restrained enough to prevent them from becoming off putting. This is a very enjoyable beer to sip on during a cool, autumn evening.
Apr 22, 2021
4.3/5 rDev +13.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 5
by Joshyc88
Does anyone know a beer similar to kwak? I can’t find it in Canada.
Apr 22, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 5
by Joshyc88
Does anyone know a beer similar to kwak? I can’t find it in Canada.
Apr 22, 2021
4.02/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by chitoryu12 from Florida
Look: Slightly hazy light amber. Almost 3 fingers of off-white head with almost endless retention. Lots of gentle rising bubbles.
Smell: Earthy, floral, a little woody like cedar.
Taste: Mild sweet caramel, cedar, brown sugar, cherries. Very light earthy hops with almost no bitterness.
Mouthfeel: Creamy smooth with mild carbonation.
Overall: A highly quaffable ale that feels dangerously drinkable.
Apr 10, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by chitoryu12 from Florida
Look: Slightly hazy light amber. Almost 3 fingers of off-white head with almost endless retention. Lots of gentle rising bubbles.
Smell: Earthy, floral, a little woody like cedar.
Taste: Mild sweet caramel, cedar, brown sugar, cherries. Very light earthy hops with almost no bitterness.
Mouthfeel: Creamy smooth with mild carbonation.
Overall: A highly quaffable ale that feels dangerously drinkable.
Apr 10, 2021
4.08/5 rDev +7.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by jmdrpi from Pennsylvania
750 ml corked bottle.
Pours amber in color, thick head of tiny bubbles, good head retention. mild caramel, a bit fruity, a little sweet, moderate Belgian yeast spiciness. Creamy mouth feel
Apr 04, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by jmdrpi from Pennsylvania
750 ml corked bottle.
Pours amber in color, thick head of tiny bubbles, good head retention. mild caramel, a bit fruity, a little sweet, moderate Belgian yeast spiciness. Creamy mouth feel
Apr 04, 2021
3.99 by Rainintheface from Massachusetts on Mar 19, 2021
3.9 by craigbelly from Iowa on Mar 15, 2021
4.15 by bmaggot from Lithuania on Dec 24, 2020
3.9 by DvdP from Netherlands on Dec 05, 2020
2.97/5 rDev -21.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
by VicCooper from Ireland
Not a fan of belgian beer, in general. Of course there are some gorgeous ones, but as they make hundreds of different beers in different breweries, that makes extremely hard to find them.
Top: one inch of sparkly head, yellow-ish, off-white in colour, but disappears in less than a minute, literally like a freshly poured Fanta... A bigger patch of lacing remains in the middle, fadind away in a few minutes, and a thin ring inside of the glass. Meh...
Colour: slightly cloudy dark amber. That actually looks nice. But the lack of head...
Smell: first, dry rose wine and belgian witbeer. After some decanting, sour apples, pears, a hint of banana and vinegar.
Taste: pears, A LOT. Sweet, flavoured cider. Some apples and a slight yeast note in the background. Tastes quite sweet, gets drier to the finish, which is semi-dry. Medium body, low carbonation (like a somewhat flat champagne). Alcohol is quite well hidden, hard to believe it’s 8.4% ABV.
Summary: ehh, to be honest, this beer is one prime example why I am NOT a fan of belgian beers. I like my beers beer-like, looks, taste and smell included.
This one feels basically a cider to me. In every possible way. No more of this, thank you. Duval is great in the genre, a milestone if you like, this one however is nowhere close to that league. I want my money back.
Nov 24, 2020
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
by VicCooper from Ireland
Not a fan of belgian beer, in general. Of course there are some gorgeous ones, but as they make hundreds of different beers in different breweries, that makes extremely hard to find them.
Top: one inch of sparkly head, yellow-ish, off-white in colour, but disappears in less than a minute, literally like a freshly poured Fanta... A bigger patch of lacing remains in the middle, fadind away in a few minutes, and a thin ring inside of the glass. Meh...
Colour: slightly cloudy dark amber. That actually looks nice. But the lack of head...
Smell: first, dry rose wine and belgian witbeer. After some decanting, sour apples, pears, a hint of banana and vinegar.
Taste: pears, A LOT. Sweet, flavoured cider. Some apples and a slight yeast note in the background. Tastes quite sweet, gets drier to the finish, which is semi-dry. Medium body, low carbonation (like a somewhat flat champagne). Alcohol is quite well hidden, hard to believe it’s 8.4% ABV.
Summary: ehh, to be honest, this beer is one prime example why I am NOT a fan of belgian beers. I like my beers beer-like, looks, taste and smell included.
This one feels basically a cider to me. In every possible way. No more of this, thank you. Duval is great in the genre, a milestone if you like, this one however is nowhere close to that league. I want my money back.
Nov 24, 2020
3.85 by SViterileroux74 from Texas on Nov 20, 2020
3.71 by bainz from England on Oct 31, 2020
3.94 by travelguy from Ohio on Oct 04, 2020
4.02 by Insomniac from Canada (ON) on Aug 18, 2020
3.89/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by hk117 from Hong Kong
750ml bottle - slightly sweet but rich and malty flavour, surprisingly smooth and easy to drink. You won't taste the alcohol but will definitely feel it after a glass or two
Aug 01, 2020
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by hk117 from Hong Kong
750ml bottle - slightly sweet but rich and malty flavour, surprisingly smooth and easy to drink. You won't taste the alcohol but will definitely feel it after a glass or two
Aug 01, 2020
3.15 by dubadw from Switzerland on Jul 31, 2020
3 by RiceOwls27 from Texas on Jul 20, 2020
3.97 by OrdinaryManDrinks from England on Jun 19, 2020
Kwak from Brouwerij Bosteels
Beer rating:
86 out of
100 with
1900 ratings