The duck says Kwak.

Yes, I know what you're thinking, 'proxy's had just one too many beers and the old flashbacks have kicked in.'

Well, you're probably wrong. The kwaking ducks are just a clever...er, desperate ploy to lure some unsuspecting readers into the hoppy world of beer.
Yep. Kwak is a beer.

Anyway......

I've drank Pauwel Kwak a few times, but not usually from its own designated glass. No biggy.
But, Mrs P being the kind, thoughtful, sort of gal that she is, gifted me a four-pack of this beer with its own free glass just about Christmas-time last year. (Which was nice)

The unusual glass which this beer is traditionally served in is probably better known than the beer itself - anyone who has frequented a Belgian bar will know what I mean. It's modeled on a stirrup cup from way back in the days of horse-drawn carriages. At a coaching inn, the driver could have a drink, then sit the glass in his stirrup without having to descend.
To give you some idea, the glass is like a miniature 'yard of ale' glass - a long, vase-like neck with a bulbous bottom. The glass won't actually stand on it's own, and since the fashion of carrying stirrups around has all but died out, the glass requires a small wooden stand. Very practical.
Still can't picture it? Then go to:
http://www.corman-collins.be/biere/bosteels/kwak. jpg


Pauwel Kwak is brewed by the Bosteels Brewery, established in 1791 and has remained a family concern for seven generations. It's in the town of Buggenhout, just to the north of Brussels, Belgium.

This is Bosteel's best-known beer, although they also make Prosit Pils, Bugg's, and a pretty good tripel called Karmeliet.

Pauwel Kwak was apparently the innkeeper who came up with the recipe for this beer. I think old 'Paul' maybe consumed too much of his invention, as Kwak translates from Flemish into blob!

BTW...

An office manager was interviewing a blonde for an assistant position, and wanted to find out a little about her personality, so he asked,
"If you could have a conversation with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?"


After giving it some thought, the blonde replied,
"I'd have to say the living one."


Back to the beer.....


THEY SAY:
"Full-bodied Belgian Specialty Ale. Amber in colour with beautiful foam and a slightly sweet, seductive malt character. Rich, satisfying Belgian experience."


KWAK pours a cloudy amber... actually, because of the shape of the glass, the beer in the bottom half of the glass is darker, almost red, whilst in the neck, it's verging on yellow. It forms a huge foamy head which lasts well, and laces the glass furiously.

The aroma is of tropical fruit and sweet sugar (as opposed to non-sweet sugar?). There's a little banana ester and a hefty dose of bubble-gum. It's slightly perfumey, which is about all I can trace of the hops.

It's quite full-bodied and has a fairly smooth mouthfeel. Again, the taste reminds me of tropical fruit - tropical fruit soaked in alcohol that is. It's malty with a decent toffee-like quality, and some faint bready tones. With just a hint of spice, there's a tangy hop kick towards the finish leaving a warming, almost brandy-like aftertaste.

* The Verdict *

At 8% ABV, this packs quite a punch, but unlike many Belgian beers that are even stronger, it doesn't hide it. You can taste the kick in this one - no bad thing, at least you know why you can't feel your legs anymore. It's a good beer...a very good beer, but it's not great - at least not in the sense of the Trappists like Chimay or Westmalle. I'm sure they can live with that. Maybe I'm biased. Probably my all-time favourite beer, which incidentally, is quite similar in style, is Orval. It falls quite a bit short of that.
I think a lot of its popularity comes from the novelty value of the glass, but it's still very drinkable and knocks spots off most contenders.
Am I being too critical here? For sure. But it's my review and I can be as pernickity as I want!

Honestly, I'm not denigrating it. It's a lovely beer and my four-pack lasted slightly longer than a politician's promise.



Would I drink it again? - Since Mrs P has presented me with the glass, it would just stirrup trouble if I didn't.




Sláinte
©proxam2005