Kwaktoberfest, A Belgian Oktoberfest, Coming To Cafe Benelux

MILWAUKEE, WI — A popular Belgian Beer festival—Kwaktoberfest—will also host the North American launch of a new beer from Belgium’s esteemed Bosteels Brewery—their first new beer since 2002, organizers said this week.

Kwaktoberfest—named for Bosteels’ well-known “Kwak” beer, is an annual fall event that highlights the craftsmanship of one of Belgium’s finest breweries. This year’s festival will take place on the rooftop of Café Benelux in Milwaukee’s Third Ward this Saturday, Sept. 28 from 4 – 10 p.m., with the launch of the new beer at 7 p.m. being the highlight of the event.

“This is a really special event for anyone who loves great beer,” says Ileana Rivera, beverage director for Lowlands Group in a statement to Patch. “Unlike American breweries, which regularly release new beers, Bosteels is typical of many Belgian breweries that focus on making just a few beers really, really well. This new beer has been in development for years—that’s how seriously they take their craft.”

While details of the new beer—including its name—will not be released until the unveiling at the event, it will be so unique and strong that it will be served with a pour size of 11cl, or a little less than 4 ounces.

This event will be the first place the beer will be available in North America and it will be available exclusively in the United States at Lowlands Group’s grand cafés until sometime in 2020.

The event is free and open to the public and will be held rain or shine, with tents on the rooftop in the case of inclement weather.

Kwaktoberfest at a Glance

Date: Sept. 28

Time: 4 – 10 p.m. Rain or Shine (Tented event)

Location: Café Benelux (Rooftop) - 346 N. Broadway, Milwaukee, WI

Cost: Free and open to the public with beer available for purchase

Highlight: 7 p.m. North American launch of new beer from Belgium’s Bosteels Brewery