I had a bit of spare time and wandered over to my local beer guy. He wasn't there, but I was in the mood for a little something different and they know I like the Belgian stuff, so I had this one recommended to me.
Pauwel Kwak (or just Kwak) is brewed by Brouwerij Bosteels in Belgium. They call this a Belgian Specialty Ale. The pour was very nice and smelled of malt and a bit of caramel. There was a nice off-white head and the beer retained quite a bit of carbonation after the pour. The color is a cloudy amber.
This was a nice change of pace. It had a medium-bodied feel with quite a bit of carbonation. The flavor was just slightly sweet. It had almost a lambic sour note that went away very quickly and was replaced by a slightly yeasty malt flavor. This was quite good if you like Belgian Beer. At 8.4% ABV, it's not a lightweight and I recommend splitting a bottle with a friend. The brewing process helps explain the high carbonation. They brew it for a month with two yeasts, then re-ferment it. It is then bottled and cellared for 9 months, then they remove the yeast. I like a beer with a bit of back-story and history and Kwak has quite a bit of that. I mean, look at the glass it is traditionally served in.
From what I read, when you drink to the point that the beer rushes from the bulb at the bottom of the glass (and I'll bet it does) it makes a sound that sounds like "Kwak." Who knows what stories beer drinkers tell. Goodness knows they have the time while they are sitting around a tavern with a pint.
In all, this is worth a try. It is full-bodied, but not heavy. It is good to have with a salty snack and a friend.
