Belgian ale vs. Belgian inspired wild ale. The Pauwel Kwak is a classic Belgian Strong Pale Ale, while La Roja is an American Wild Ale, which takes its process from the Flanders Red style of Belgian beer.
The Pauwel Kwak is a crisp pale ale that hides the 8% abv beneath a layer of yeasty spiciness and a great malt backbone. The sweetness of the beer does not dominate, as the spices and hops do cut through to balance everything together.
The sourness of the Jolly Pumpkin La Roja dominates, but does not overpower the rest of the beer. When drinking a Flemish Red, you should want and expect tartness, a bit of vinegar and not much hop bitterness. And that is exactly what you get with La Roja.
My vote goes to the Pauwel Kwak, as it remains my favorite Belgian Strong Pale Ale, and it a beer that I could drink almost any day.
Historic Beer Birthday: Peter Schreihart
8 hours ago
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Do you have a Kwak glass?
ReplyDeleteI love the Vs. series...great idea. I myself prefer La Roja, but we're all different. It's been a while since I've had Kwak though. As far as Belgian strong ales go, I love Gulden Drak...great stuff.
I don't have a Kwak glass. Someday. I love both beers. But as the NCAA game dictated, the kwak came out a winner. This week I am going to try to review the final four and make my prediction.
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