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: 1,805 | Reviews: 729
Reviews by mophie:
4.32/5 rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On tap at Monk's Cafe in Philadelphia. Copper color, with an off-white head. Mild malt aromas, like dark fruits with a little pear thrown in for good measure. Taste is sweet, ripe pear, licorice, and pepper. Pleasantly bitter finish. Locals in Belgium might consider this a fad brew, but I liked it anyway.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On tap at Monk's Cafe in Philadelphia. Copper color, with an off-white head. Mild malt aromas, like dark fruits with a little pear thrown in for good measure. Taste is sweet, ripe pear, licorice, and pepper. Pleasantly bitter finish. Locals in Belgium might consider this a fad brew, but I liked it anyway.
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More User Reviews:
4.3/5 rDev +13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Likely on the sweet end of the spectrum within the class, I find this to be a strong, solid brew. The nose is fig newton and honey. Taste follows closely with a warm, clean finish and virtually no hop.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Likely on the sweet end of the spectrum within the class, I find this to be a strong, solid brew. The nose is fig newton and honey. Taste follows closely with a warm, clean finish and virtually no hop.
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4.14/5 rDev +9.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a murky, muddy bronze color with a minimal off-white head that soon vanishes. Mild aroma smells of bready malt and Saaz-like hops with a dash of coriander or similar spices.
Delicate flavor profile features bready malt, honey, caramel, apple peel, white grapes, and zesty yeast. Some grassy hop bitterness sneaks through in the finish. Whatever spices may be present are mild. Rumours of tart cherry and bubblegum begin to emerge on the back end as the beer warms. Just-right carbonation delivers a superbly complementary mouthfeel. The 8.4% ABV is almost nonexistent.
Overall, this is a phenomenal Belgian ale that does nothing wrong. The flavor profile is complex and perfectly balanced, giving the drinker plenty to explore and savor during the experience. Neither the yeast nor the carbonation are overbearing, giving the deft malt character the opportunity to shine. For all its nuance and complexity, Kwak remains supremely drinkable. Highly recommended.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a murky, muddy bronze color with a minimal off-white head that soon vanishes. Mild aroma smells of bready malt and Saaz-like hops with a dash of coriander or similar spices.
Delicate flavor profile features bready malt, honey, caramel, apple peel, white grapes, and zesty yeast. Some grassy hop bitterness sneaks through in the finish. Whatever spices may be present are mild. Rumours of tart cherry and bubblegum begin to emerge on the back end as the beer warms. Just-right carbonation delivers a superbly complementary mouthfeel. The 8.4% ABV is almost nonexistent.
Overall, this is a phenomenal Belgian ale that does nothing wrong. The flavor profile is complex and perfectly balanced, giving the drinker plenty to explore and savor during the experience. Neither the yeast nor the carbonation are overbearing, giving the deft malt character the opportunity to shine. For all its nuance and complexity, Kwak remains supremely drinkable. Highly recommended.
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3.84/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Pours a nice red/copper color with meium head that leaves some great lacing,the aroma is almost non existant with a slight powdered sugar smell.The tast is pretty complex malty sweet with a tast of candied sugar as the backbone alcihol is prevalent in the finish wich is nice and warming.A real nice malty beer,very impressed.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Pours a nice red/copper color with meium head that leaves some great lacing,the aroma is almost non existant with a slight powdered sugar smell.The tast is pretty complex malty sweet with a tast of candied sugar as the backbone alcihol is prevalent in the finish wich is nice and warming.A real nice malty beer,very impressed.
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3.68/5 rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Presentation: 11.2 oz slender euro style brown bottle with no freshness date.
Appearance: Cloudy orange amber with a more than decent off white lace that seems to retain quite well.
Smell: Tropical fruit, raw sugar cane and slight medicinal aromas flow from a alcohol perfume.
Taste: Smooth and crisp mouth feel that hold a full-ish body. Very noticeable alcohol, warming and very fruity with a tropical character. The tingling sensation from the alcohol lingers in its spiciness. Touch of hops with a faint flavour in the finish. Light cider like twang surround the alcoholic esters then fades into a rum raisin flavour. Light steely caramel and husk flavour in the end.
Notes: It is definitely a strong ale being that its alcoholic prowess flexes its muscles right away. A decent strong ale though seems to be a bit over the top for its own self, lacks complexity and depth and a bit too much on the esters(too warm of a fermentation?) though makes up with its drinkability.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Presentation: 11.2 oz slender euro style brown bottle with no freshness date.
Appearance: Cloudy orange amber with a more than decent off white lace that seems to retain quite well.
Smell: Tropical fruit, raw sugar cane and slight medicinal aromas flow from a alcohol perfume.
Taste: Smooth and crisp mouth feel that hold a full-ish body. Very noticeable alcohol, warming and very fruity with a tropical character. The tingling sensation from the alcohol lingers in its spiciness. Touch of hops with a faint flavour in the finish. Light cider like twang surround the alcoholic esters then fades into a rum raisin flavour. Light steely caramel and husk flavour in the end.
Notes: It is definitely a strong ale being that its alcoholic prowess flexes its muscles right away. A decent strong ale though seems to be a bit over the top for its own self, lacks complexity and depth and a bit too much on the esters(too warm of a fermentation?) though makes up with its drinkability.
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4.77/5 rDev +25.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Oh, this might be my other favorite beer. Such a deep flavor and not to heavy.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Oh, this might be my other favorite beer. Such a deep flavor and not to heavy.
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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.
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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.
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4.39/5 rDev +15.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Really good ale. Sweet finish. I recommend you try...if you can get it.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Really good ale. Sweet finish. I recommend you try...if you can get it.
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4.5/5 rDev +18.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Probably my baseline for Belgian brews, great stuff
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Probably my baseline for Belgian brews, great stuff
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4.59/5 rDev +21.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Amazing beer. One of my favorites.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Amazing beer. One of my favorites.
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4.91/5 rDev +29.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Poured into a Chimay chalice, The body is a cloudy dark red/burnt orange hue, with a finger white head. Aromas consist of spices, bread, and liqueur soaked cherries. Flavors are the same. The feel is medium bodied with medium carbonation.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Poured into a Chimay chalice, The body is a cloudy dark red/burnt orange hue, with a finger white head. Aromas consist of spices, bread, and liqueur soaked cherries. Flavors are the same. The feel is medium bodied with medium carbonation.
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3.77/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
dark orange colour. light and refreshing look. the first sip had a noticeable alcohol kick. good maltiness that helped give this beer some body. spicey and hints of citrus make this beer pleasurable but not outstanding by any stretch. maybe sampling this beer in it's original "yard" glass would have enhanced the experience. nontheless, i liked it quite a bit.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
dark orange colour. light and refreshing look. the first sip had a noticeable alcohol kick. good maltiness that helped give this beer some body. spicey and hints of citrus make this beer pleasurable but not outstanding by any stretch. maybe sampling this beer in it's original "yard" glass would have enhanced the experience. nontheless, i liked it quite a bit.
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2.83/5 rDev -25.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
Appearance Gorgeous, cloudy orange body full of sediment with a decent head.
Smell Nice, fruity Belgian nose filled with apricots, banana, some spices (maybe coriander, cinnamon, and allspice), and a good malt/yeast combo.
Taste Ouch! What a shock. The heavy spice took over the flavor. This didnt taste at all like what I expected. The alcohol came on too strong as well.
Mouthfeel This was a pucker-upper to be sure. Not what I was looking for when I bought the bottle.
Drinkability Sorry, but I wont buy this again. Maybe I got a bad bottle, but this went down painfully slow.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
Appearance Gorgeous, cloudy orange body full of sediment with a decent head.
Smell Nice, fruity Belgian nose filled with apricots, banana, some spices (maybe coriander, cinnamon, and allspice), and a good malt/yeast combo.
Taste Ouch! What a shock. The heavy spice took over the flavor. This didnt taste at all like what I expected. The alcohol came on too strong as well.
Mouthfeel This was a pucker-upper to be sure. Not what I was looking for when I bought the bottle.
Drinkability Sorry, but I wont buy this again. Maybe I got a bad bottle, but this went down painfully slow.
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3.5/5 rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
A: Transparent reddish-orange. Extremely assertive carbonation. Large tan head. Not long lasting but easily reinvigorated.
N: Alcohol, spices, caramel, toffee, pinch of the tropics.
T: Fruity malts with plenty of booze and sugar cane. Caramel, toffee, and rum. Specifically rum flavored with the addition of fermented tropical fruits.
MF: Thick and malty. Pleasant but with a slight alcohol burn.
D: Somewhat lacking in smoothness and the ABV isnt well covered limiting drinkability. Also lacking in complexity.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
A: Transparent reddish-orange. Extremely assertive carbonation. Large tan head. Not long lasting but easily reinvigorated.
N: Alcohol, spices, caramel, toffee, pinch of the tropics.
T: Fruity malts with plenty of booze and sugar cane. Caramel, toffee, and rum. Specifically rum flavored with the addition of fermented tropical fruits.
MF: Thick and malty. Pleasant but with a slight alcohol burn.
D: Somewhat lacking in smoothness and the ABV isnt well covered limiting drinkability. Also lacking in complexity.
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3.48/5 rDev -8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
Serving date: 2009-03-24. Served in tasting glass.
A: Dark copper color, although translucent. Big beige head with some yellowish hues. The head is dense and looks creamy. Good head retention, some lacings.
S: Plenty of caramel malts and toffee. Dark bread, wet leaves,mild spices. Yeast.
T: Again, plenty of sweet malt flavors. Caramel, butterscotch, dark bread. Plenty of Kwak's characteristic yeast flavor. Some grass and spicy hop flavors in the middle. The finish has a decent bitterness, some white pepper and hot and spicy alcohol. A rather round taste with some richness to it, but nothing special actually.
M: Medium body, gentle carbonation. Somewhat sticky.
D: This is a decent beer, a couple of notches above average. It lacks some character, but at the same time the taste feels heavy.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
Serving date: 2009-03-24. Served in tasting glass.
A: Dark copper color, although translucent. Big beige head with some yellowish hues. The head is dense and looks creamy. Good head retention, some lacings.
S: Plenty of caramel malts and toffee. Dark bread, wet leaves,mild spices. Yeast.
T: Again, plenty of sweet malt flavors. Caramel, butterscotch, dark bread. Plenty of Kwak's characteristic yeast flavor. Some grass and spicy hop flavors in the middle. The finish has a decent bitterness, some white pepper and hot and spicy alcohol. A rather round taste with some richness to it, but nothing special actually.
M: Medium body, gentle carbonation. Somewhat sticky.
D: This is a decent beer, a couple of notches above average. It lacks some character, but at the same time the taste feels heavy.
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3.62/5 rDev -4.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3/5 rDev -20.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
A - Copper color, extremely low carbonation...almost flat, nice just off white head that quickly becomes puny.
S - Some caramel malt, a little fruit aroma, very subtle.
T - Like the smell...a bit of caramel malt, a touch of dark fruit, and really not much else.
M - A moderate body, a bit creamy...leaves a coating, needs some more carbonation or alcohol to clean itself up.
O - A very ordinary beer, that is disappointing...not used to such mediocrity of a Belgian beer.
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look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
A - Copper color, extremely low carbonation...almost flat, nice just off white head that quickly becomes puny.
S - Some caramel malt, a little fruit aroma, very subtle.
T - Like the smell...a bit of caramel malt, a touch of dark fruit, and really not much else.
M - A moderate body, a bit creamy...leaves a coating, needs some more carbonation or alcohol to clean itself up.
O - A very ordinary beer, that is disappointing...not used to such mediocrity of a Belgian beer.
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Kwak from Brouwerij Bosteels
Beer rating:
3.79 out of
5 with
1,805 ratings
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