hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

De Koninck

Brouwerij De Koninck
Belgium·Belgian Pale Ale
Tap to rate

Antwerp's city beer, served in the iconic bolleke glass since 1833. A soft, biscuity amber pale ale with banana and bready malt on the nose, followed by subtle cinnamon spice and a gentle hop finish. Toasty maltiness sets the stage for a plum-cherry fruitiness and a subdued Belgian yeast profile. The quintessential session ale of Antwerp.

ABV
5%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
breadymaltytoasty
bready
malty
toasty
banana
dark fruit
hoppy
Aroma
The nose opens with soft, grainy breadiness and toasted biscuit notes, followed by a subtle banana esters from the Belgian yeast.
also:spicy,caramel,yeasty
not found:juicy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for De Koninck

◎ Appearance

A clear amber pour with a luminous golden-copper hue characteristic of the style. The head is dense and persistent, clinging to the glass with fine Schaumkleiden that mark each sip. Carbonation is moderate and even, typical of the gentle bottle-conditioning tradition of Antwerp's breweries.

clear amberpersistent headwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with soft, grainy breadiness and toasted biscuit notes, followed by a subtle banana esters from the Belgian yeast. A whisper of cinnamon spice and mild herbal Edelhopfen character emerge beneath, with no aggressive aromatics—the overall impression is warm and inviting rather than complex.

bready maltbanana esterscinnamon spice

◐ Taste

The palate is smooth and welcoming, leading with toasty maltiness and a gentle biscuit sweetness that frames the mid-palate entry. Dark stone fruits—plum and cherry—develop softly against the bready backbone, while low-level hop bitterness provides structure without dominance. The yeast character remains restrained, allowing the Malz and fruit to speak.

toasty maltdark fruitsoft bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and moderately short, fading to a subtle caramel sweetness and a dry, slightly spiced aftertaste. No harsh edges or lingering bitterness—just a gentle fade that invites another sip.

dry finishgentle fade
80
hopIQ score
Aroma
78
Taste
82
Appearance
80
Finish
78
Serve at 7–10°C

Serve at 7–10°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Goblet

The wide mouth and heavy base promote head formation and channel rich aromatics toward the nose. Traditional for Belgian strong ales.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with De Koninck

More from Brouwerij De Koninck

De Koninck APA
De Koninck APA
Pale Ale
6.2%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
De Koninck Triple d'Anvers
De Koninck Triple d'Anvers
Belgian Tripel
8%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
De Koninck Wild Jo
De Koninck Wild Jo
Belgian Pale Ale
6%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →

About Belgian Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Belgian Pale Ale?

Pale Ales balance malt sweetness with moderate hop character at 4.5–6% ABV and IBU 20–40. Approachable with floral, citrus or earthy notes over a biscuit malt base.

Finding a similar Belgian Pale Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same bready, malty, toasty character as De Koninck will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all Belgian Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse Belgium beers →