Pauwel Kwak

Brewed by Brouwerij Bosteels
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Buggenhout, Belgium

I thought the appearance is weak: no head at all, but that has certainly something do with the glass I poured it in (not the special Kwak glass where the head stays longer). the smell of alcohol was definitly overwhelming, and fruits. The taste was fortunately better than that. Fruity, sweet and less alcoholic than the smell. It’s a reasonably good beer and the presentation with the special glasses makes the experience even better. But not the best of its kind.

WEAK WALK UP ! Probably more disappointed with Kwak because of the reputation it affords. Its strength is barely unnoticeable but is that always a good thing? Palatable but unremarkable beer at the end of the day and whats with that glass !

Amber with a thick fluffy white head. Belgian yeast and candi sugar in the nose. Flavor is sweet, soft fruity malt with a bready quality. Mild finish. very good.

bottle. I didn’t see the ’great head’ .. mine was flat en fading away fastly (trappist glass). Reddish/brown colour. Beer smells fruity. Taste: nuts, raisins, dried plums, yeasty and sweetness. Also grainy and malty notes. They make people curious by using that strange glass and that’s a smart marketing technique. It’s definitely not a top beer but a good balanced one except the quit sharp and grassy aftertaste.

Pours a murky caramel orange with tons of floaties thoughout the glass. The small creamy white head lingers for a little while, leaving a small collar and little lacing. The aroma is sweet with lots of light fruits, pears and apples, with hints of sugary sweetness as well. There is some caramel from the malts as well. The taste is a little bit musty with hints of booze-soaked fruits and hints of caramel malts in the background. The spicy yeast flavors come out a little more in the taste. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with plenty of carbonation and sticky sweet on the palate. This is a decent Belgian strong that doesn’t really stand out in any way but is pretty smooth going down.

Poured from a 750 into my trust Kwak glass. I’m confident it tastes better this way. Clear bronze/gold, picturesque effervescence up the narrow neck of the glass, adding to a tan fluffy creamy head. Maple toffee aroma, dry fall leaves too. Powerfully malty up front, with a bite of molasses spiked with cinnamon. Strongly weighted on the palate, dense and thick. Dry finish reveals a gentle lavender herbal notes over roasted wheat.

Sampled at the Alexi TN distributor’s tasting; thanks Jim Bird! Clear amber pour with fair khaki head. Malty, and has resemblances to red hots! What a weird tasting note. A little fruity, and kinda like red wines i’ve had. Interested, but not something I’d have to search out.

draft at Gollem in Amsterdam - Served in the coolest glass ever. Later I bought one to take home. Pours light amber with a sizable white head that laces well. It smells of sweet malt and fruity yeast. The flavor is sweet malt with light fruit notes and a touch of caramel and spice. It’s medium to full bodied and all fits together very well.