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De Koninck APA

Brouwerij De Koninck
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🌍 Belgium · Pale Ale · One of 191 Pale Ales in hopIQ

De Koninck APA is a bold interpretation of the American Pale Ale style by Belgium's iconic brewery, featuring prominent hop character and a clean, balanced malt backbone. This modern take on a classic style delivers citrus and pine notes with a crisp finish that appeals to both traditional ale drinkers and hop enthusiasts.

ABV
6.2%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
pale gold4
See all Pale Ale alternatives →
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Medium body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Moderate bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

A clean close sets the character — an invitation to the next sip.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Pale Ale.
Hop character
hoppy
citrusy
piney
herbal
Malt character
malty
Fermentation & yeast
clean
fruity

FEATURED IN

Featured inThe Best Belgian Beers→

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for De Koninck APA

◎ Appearance

De Koninck APA presents a brilliant golden hue that captures light beautifully, indicating a well-crafted pale ale. The beer displays excellent clarity with a white, creamy head that persists well, suggesting quality ingredients and proper carbonation levels. The visual presentation is inviting and classic for the style.

goldenbrilliant claritycreamy white headwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

The nose is assertive and hop-forward, leading with bright citrus and earthy pine notes characteristic of American hop varieties. Beneath the prominent hop character lies a clean malt foundation with subtle caramel sweetness that doesn't overwhelm. The overall aromatic profile is fresh and inviting, with no off-notes or yeast artifacts.

citrus-forwardpine resinclean maltfresh hop aroma

◐ Taste

The palate opens crisp and clean with balanced bitterness that's assertive yet not aggressive, supporting the 50 IBU rating. Citrus and pine flavors dominate the mid-palate while a subtle caramel malt backbone provides structure and prevents the beer from becoming one-dimensional. The medium body carries the flavors effectively without heaviness.

hoppycitrus-pine complexitybalanced bitternessclean palate

◑ Finish

The finish is notably dry and crisp with lingering hop bitterness that gradually fades to a clean aftertaste. This refreshing conclusion exemplifies the modern American Pale Ale style and encourages another sip.

drycleancrisp finish
83
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
85
Appearance
84
Finish
81
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of De Koninck APA

Serve at 7–10°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Cold enough to sharpen the hop aroma without numbing the palate. Around 7–9°C keeps the citrus and pine vivid without losing bitterness definition.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Drink fresh — hop aroma fades fast. Best within 3 months of canning or bottling.

Food Pairing

What to eat with De Koninck APA

About Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Pale Ale?

India Pale Ales are hop-forward ales with ABV typically 5.5–7.5% and IBU 40–70+. Bold citrus, pine or tropical aromas alongside firm bitterness and a clean dry finish.

Finding a similar Pale Ale

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

Other Pale Ales in hopIQ

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