Kwak | Brouwerij Bosteels
Brewed by:
Brouwerij Bosteels
Belgium
bestbelgianspecialbeers.be
Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.40%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
Belgian Specialty Ale
Added by kbub6f on 06-30-2001
HISTOGRAM
View: Beers
Ratings: 1,802 | Reviews: 729
4.51/5 rDev +19%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
3.7/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.71/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.75/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.81/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
330 ml bottle, exp. 11/2018, thick foam, amber to brown beer, lots of tutti frutti sweetness on aroma. Medium body, hidden alcohol at a brief first moment after a sip, showing up just after and hiding again with great aftertaste. Interesting feeling, showing some complexity. Little drinkability, even if it's not the worst for a beer with 8.4% ABV. Not my favorite style, but it gets its highlights with a persistent malt aftertaste.
434 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
330 ml bottle, exp. 11/2018, thick foam, amber to brown beer, lots of tutti frutti sweetness on aroma. Medium body, hidden alcohol at a brief first moment after a sip, showing up just after and hiding again with great aftertaste. Interesting feeling, showing some complexity. Little drinkability, even if it's not the worst for a beer with 8.4% ABV. Not my favorite style, but it gets its highlights with a persistent malt aftertaste.
434 characters
4.19/5 rDev +10.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I was served my Kwak in the Couchman's glass with a round bottom supported by a wooden holster. I was instructed not to remove the glass from the wooden holster while sipping, so I did as I was told. Poured a nice dark/amber with a milky head. Sweet taste, a bit of alcohol on the nose. Malt forward. I don't know if I'll order this out in public again because of all of the bells and whistles - but definitely in the comfort of my own home!
441 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I was served my Kwak in the Couchman's glass with a round bottom supported by a wooden holster. I was instructed not to remove the glass from the wooden holster while sipping, so I did as I was told. Poured a nice dark/amber with a milky head. Sweet taste, a bit of alcohol on the nose. Malt forward. I don't know if I'll order this out in public again because of all of the bells and whistles - but definitely in the comfort of my own home!
441 characters
4.37/5 rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Look- Pours opaque amber w/ring of head around edge of the glass
Smell- sweet pipe tobacco, cherry, mild bubblegum, very subtle hint of smoke
Taste- tobacco, banana, bubblegum and a little smoke come together very nicely. As the beer warms more of that banana and bubblegum come out
Feel- light/medium bodied, highly carbonated
Overall- This was a nice surprise and sort of reminded me of a belgian version of a barleywine because of the rich tobacco notes I was getting from it. That and the subtle smoke blended surprisingly well with the bubblegum, banana and cherry.
574 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Look- Pours opaque amber w/ring of head around edge of the glass
Smell- sweet pipe tobacco, cherry, mild bubblegum, very subtle hint of smoke
Taste- tobacco, banana, bubblegum and a little smoke come together very nicely. As the beer warms more of that banana and bubblegum come out
Feel- light/medium bodied, highly carbonated
Overall- This was a nice surprise and sort of reminded me of a belgian version of a barleywine because of the rich tobacco notes I was getting from it. That and the subtle smoke blended surprisingly well with the bubblegum, banana and cherry.
574 characters
3.68/5 rDev -2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.75/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
4.56/5 rDev +20.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Classic...especially in its original holster. I’ll admit it tasted a tad better at Bosteel’s in Belgium, but probably only because it was super-fresh and poured by Jack Antwerpen himself. But just as good as the bottle I had at The Belgian Consulate in NYC as a guest of Michael Jackson. Sweetish, bready, smooth and boozy enough to be interesting, this beer should be experienced by anyone claiming “Beer nut” status. One of The PubScout’s faves...have one in the Cafe Vlissinghe in Bruges for a bucket list memory you’ll take to your grave. ( And the lasagna there is FABULOUS! )
595 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Classic...especially in its original holster. I’ll admit it tasted a tad better at Bosteel’s in Belgium, but probably only because it was super-fresh and poured by Jack Antwerpen himself. But just as good as the bottle I had at The Belgian Consulate in NYC as a guest of Michael Jackson. Sweetish, bready, smooth and boozy enough to be interesting, this beer should be experienced by anyone claiming “Beer nut” status. One of The PubScout’s faves...have one in the Cafe Vlissinghe in Bruges for a bucket list memory you’ll take to your grave. ( And the lasagna there is FABULOUS! )
595 characters
3.58/5 rDev -5.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.87/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Two champagne bottles of Pauwel Kwak were a Christmas present, along with two distinctive blown glasses, trumpet-shaped with round bottoms, with wooden stands. This really gives an impressive look to the presentation. The beer is a clear dark amber with a creamy head. It's hard to pour into these glasses without creating a lot of head. The aroma was noticeable as soon as the bottle was uncorked - a nice traditional beer smell. The mouthfeel is smooth and a little tangy. The flavor is rich and mild and pleasant and a little sweet. I had hoped to share with someone, but I get to drink the whole 3/4 Liter myself.
624 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Two champagne bottles of Pauwel Kwak were a Christmas present, along with two distinctive blown glasses, trumpet-shaped with round bottoms, with wooden stands. This really gives an impressive look to the presentation. The beer is a clear dark amber with a creamy head. It's hard to pour into these glasses without creating a lot of head. The aroma was noticeable as soon as the bottle was uncorked - a nice traditional beer smell. The mouthfeel is smooth and a little tangy. The flavor is rich and mild and pleasant and a little sweet. I had hoped to share with someone, but I get to drink the whole 3/4 Liter myself.
624 characters
4.38/5 rDev +15.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.07/5 rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Drink in Kwak scientist glass, flavors of Carmel malt marzen with Belgian yeast sugars. Super thin, creaminess that is surprisingly 8.4%abv. Dangerously drinkability.
168 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Drink in Kwak scientist glass, flavors of Carmel malt marzen with Belgian yeast sugars. Super thin, creaminess that is surprisingly 8.4%abv. Dangerously drinkability.
168 characters
3.11/5 rDev -17.9%
look: 2.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
look: 2.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
3.88/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
I'm trying this at Monks Pub in Chicago. It poured a clear amber with thin white head that is leaving a spotty lace. The scent was sweet bread. The taste was nicely balanced and easy to drink with subtle Belgian sugar presence. The mouthfeel is medium in body with good carbonation. Overall it's a decent beer.
311 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
I'm trying this at Monks Pub in Chicago. It poured a clear amber with thin white head that is leaving a spotty lace. The scent was sweet bread. The taste was nicely balanced and easy to drink with subtle Belgian sugar presence. The mouthfeel is medium in body with good carbonation. Overall it's a decent beer.
311 characters
4.21/5 rDev +11.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
On Tap at the Gollum Biercafe on Raamsteeg in Amsterdam served in the signature glass with wooden stand. Bartender took time to pour it correctly.
Perfect head with stunning presentation earned this a perfect score for look. Lacing and classic glass were a bonus.
Smell was generic Belgian. a little spice, a little yeast, a hint of alcohol.
Taste added an interesting spicy hop kick with some caramel.
Tingly mouthfeel persisted throughout.
I'll definitely have it again as long as I'm in Belgium or Netherlands.
518 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
On Tap at the Gollum Biercafe on Raamsteeg in Amsterdam served in the signature glass with wooden stand. Bartender took time to pour it correctly.
Perfect head with stunning presentation earned this a perfect score for look. Lacing and classic glass were a bonus.
Smell was generic Belgian. a little spice, a little yeast, a hint of alcohol.
Taste added an interesting spicy hop kick with some caramel.
Tingly mouthfeel persisted throughout.
I'll definitely have it again as long as I'm in Belgium or Netherlands.
518 characters
3.82/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Found a dusty bomber bottle of this at a local store. Excited for the style and accolades found emblazoned on the bottle, this ultimately disappointed. A bit heavy, carmel aftertaste, and average "feel." Not bad by any means, but not noteworthy.
246 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Found a dusty bomber bottle of this at a local store. Excited for the style and accolades found emblazoned on the bottle, this ultimately disappointed. A bit heavy, carmel aftertaste, and average "feel." Not bad by any means, but not noteworthy.
246 characters
3.57/5 rDev -5.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
L - golden brown, white, compact, aggressive head
S & T - very slight buttered toast, a LOT of candi sugar, honey, bit of banana/clove yeast esters,very slight generic bitterness, tinny aftertaste
F - quite fizzy, but not unpleasantly so; alcohol quite well hidden
O - let it breathe and come up to temperature before drinking. VERY sweet, though.
Semi-recommended.
368 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
L - golden brown, white, compact, aggressive head
S & T - very slight buttered toast, a LOT of candi sugar, honey, bit of banana/clove yeast esters,very slight generic bitterness, tinny aftertaste
F - quite fizzy, but not unpleasantly so; alcohol quite well hidden
O - let it breathe and come up to temperature before drinking. VERY sweet, though.
Semi-recommended.
368 characters
2.32/5 rDev -38.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5
Bottled possibly bottle conditioned and determined to give it an honest review
Pours a copper coloured body with big foamy white head
Metal coin and clove aroma
That’s the taste with some burned sugar
And it’s so thin bodied
No I either can’t honestly review or it’s really dull
287 characters
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5
Bottled possibly bottle conditioned and determined to give it an honest review
Pours a copper coloured body with big foamy white head
Metal coin and clove aroma
That’s the taste with some burned sugar
And it’s so thin bodied
No I either can’t honestly review or it’s really dull
287 characters
Kwak from Brouwerij Bosteels
Beer rating:
3.79 out of
5 with
1,802 ratings
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