The Intrigue is in the Glass

In 1791, back during Napoleon’s time, Jean-Baptist Bosteels founded the Bosteels Brewery in Buggenhout, Belgium. The Bosteels family has continuously brewed beer in that location for more than 200 years, including during both World Wars. Bosteels in one of Belgium’s most prestigious breweries, producing Tripel Karmaliet, DeuS Brut de Flandres (champagne-like beer) and Pauwel Kwak.

Who was Pauwel Kwak?

Pauwel Kwak was a brewer and owner of the De Hoorn Inn in Dendermonde. He was a rather ingenious individual. In those days, coaches would stop at De Hoorn and other inns, who would serve the passengers food and refreshments. Unfortunately, the coachmen who drove the coaches could not come inside the inn because they had to stay on the coach to protect the mail, the horses and the passengers’ belongings. Feeling for the coachmen, Pauwel Kwak invented a special glass that could be placed into a holder on the side of the coach, allowing the coachmen to enjoy a beer like everyone else.

Enter Kwak Beer

In honor of Pauwel Kwak, Ivo Bosteels re-introduced Pauwel Kwak beer in the 1980s and it caught on. To this day, the beer, in its special beer glass, is served in a wooden stand similar to the one on the coaches of old.

The Kwak Beers

The Kwak line includes three beers today:

• Kwak Amber (Ambrée) is the original and is a strong amber ale (8.4% ABV). It is light amber in color with a big dense, off-white head. Its aroma is malty with hop notes. On the palate, it is a complex symphony of flavors, including caramel, biscuits, orange marmalade, mango and banana, somewhat reminiscent of Bananas Foster. It is also spicy with a light touch of bitterness, some coriander and a big, complex finish.

• Kwak Blonde is a traditional Belgian blond ale with 7.4% alcohol, a crisp, refreshing mouthfeel, light bitterness and aroma hops. The fruitiness of the Kwak yeast shows up as banana and pear.

• Kwak Rouge is a red specialty beer with a nice touch of bitterness and flavors of cherries and almonds. It is reasonably strong at 8.0% ABV.

 You owe it to yourself to these refined and beautifully crafted beers – the product of over 200 years and seven generations of brewing experience. Santé!