De Koninck
De Koninck is a city brewery in Antwerp on the Mechelsesteenweg, active since 1833. They are known for the Bolleke, an amber beer with a light bitterness and a pronounced malt flavour, which owes its name to the ball-shaped glass. At Hoptimaal you can find the Bolleke in 33 cl.
- LocationAntwerpen, Vlaams Gewest
- Founded1833
- TypeRegional brewery
- Untappd 3.44 · 450k ratings
- At Hoptimaal1 in stock
- Amber 1
In stock now 1
A city brewery in Antwerp since 1833
Brouwerij De Koninck has brewed on the Mechelsesteenweg in Antwerp since 1833. The brewery was founded on the border between Antwerp and Berchem, and the hand in the logo refers to the statue on the boundary post. In a 2015 brochure, the brewery calls itself the only active brewery in the heart of the city.
The site covers 18,000 m². Around 2015, the brewery was converted into a city brewery that is open to visitors, with an interactive tour through nine themed rooms, a tasting and a shop. That offer has since been expanded to include tastings where you pair beer with cheese, meat and chocolate. De Koninck is part of Duvel Moortgat.
The beer and style of De Koninck
For a long time the Bolleke was the brewery's only beer: an amber top-fermented beer. It is brewed from water, yeast, 100 percent malt and organic hops. Fermentation takes place at 25 to 27 °C. The light bitterness comes from organic Saaz from the Czech Republic. No corn or other sugar goes in, and according to the brewery it is precisely that characteristic malt flavour that sets De Koninck apart.
The name bolleke comes from the ball-shaped glass the beer is served in. The brewery now officially calls the Bolleke De Koninck Antwaarpse Pale Ale. Besides the Bolleke, De Koninck makes the Tripel D'Anvers, a tribute to the city, and the Speciallekes. In 2011, De Koninck received three stars from the International Taste & Quality Institute.
De Koninck at Hoptimaal
At Hoptimaal you can find De Koninck Bolleke in 33 cl, with 5.2 percent alcohol. It is also the brewery's beer that is rated highly on Untappd. Our range currently consists of this one amber, so if you want to get to know De Koninck, start here.
Drink the Bolleke fresh and cool, not ice cold, so the malt and the light bitterness come into their own. If you have a ball-shaped glass in the cupboard, use it; it belongs with this beer. It is not a hoppy IPA and not a heavy stout, so it works well with a meal or a cheese board.
Frequently asked questions
Where does De Koninck come from?
De Koninck comes from Antwerp in Belgium. The brewery has brewed on the Mechelsesteenweg since 1833, on the border between Antwerp and Berchem.
What kind of beer does De Koninck make?
The best known is the Bolleke, an amber top-fermented beer with a light bitterness and a malt flavour. Besides that, the brewery makes the Tripel D'Anvers and the Speciallekes, among others.
Why is De Koninck also called bolleke?
The beer is better known as bolleke, after the ball-shaped glass it is served in. The brewery officially calls the Bolleke De Koninck Antwaarpse Pale Ale.
