The Brewing Projekt Paczki XL 4Pk

The Brewing Projekt Paczki XL 4Pk is a fruit-filled donut sour ale brewed at 7.5% ABV in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Inspired by the beloved Polish filled doughnut, this beer layers strawberry and raspberry with almond extract and vanilla to mimic the pastry's jam-filled sweetness — all balanced by a pronounced sour backbone. The Brewing Projekt was named one of Food & Wine's "19 Breweries To Go Out Of Your Way For," and Paczki XL holds a 4.1 out of 5 rating on Untappd across more than 850 reviews.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.5%  |  Origin: Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA  |  Style: Fruit-Filled Donut Sour Ale  |  Brewery: The Brewing Projekt

Production & Heritage

The Brewing Projekt operates out of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and has built a reputation for boundary-pushing sour ales and heavily fruited styles. Paczki XL is brewed as a sour ale with additions of strawberry, raspberry, almond extract, and vanilla — ingredients chosen to replicate the experience of biting into a traditional Polish paczki, a deep-fried doughnut generously filled with fruit preserves. The "XL" designation signals a bolder, more amplified take within the brewery's Paczki lineup, leaning into heavier fruit and flavor intensity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe strawberry and raspberry dominate immediately, followed by a warm undertone of almond and a trailing vanilla sweetness. The effect recalls freshly opened fruit preserves with a faint bakery-like quality underneath.

Taste: The entry is bright and tart, led by concentrated red fruit — strawberry and raspberry arrive first, tangy and vivid. Mid-palate, vanilla tempers the acidity while almond extract introduces a subtle toasty, marzipan-like nuance. There is moderate sweetness throughout, but the tartness keeps the beer from veering into cloying territory. Some drinkers detect plum-like depth alongside the primary berry flavors.

Finish: Medium in length with lingering berry tartness and a faint almond echo. The mouthfeel is notably thick and puree-like, reinforcing the preserves-filled-pastry impression from start to finish.

How to Drink Paczki XL

Paczki XL is best served cold, around 38–45°F, poured into a tulip glass or snifter to concentrate its fruit-forward aromatics. It drinks well on its own as a standalone experience. For cocktail-adjacent applications, try it as the beer component in a Berliner Weisse Float with a scoop of vanilla ice cream to amplify its dessert character. It also works in a Beer Mimosa, splitting the glass with fresh orange juice for a tart brunch pour, or layered into a Sour Shandy with lemonade for a refreshing warm-weather drink.

Best For

• Surprising a craft beer enthusiast who gravitates toward pastry-style sours
• Serving as a dessert course at a beer dinner or tasting event
• Sharing during a weekend brunch with friends who enjoy bold, fruited ales
• Introducing adventurous drinkers to the pastry sour ale category

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Paczki XL taste like? Paczki XL delivers concentrated strawberry and raspberry tartness balanced by vanilla sweetness and a subtle toasty almond note, resulting in a flavor profile that closely mimics fruit-filled Polish doughnuts. The mouthfeel is thick and preserves-like, with moderate sweetness tempered by prominent sourness.

How does Paczki XL compare to traditional fruited sour ales? Traditional fruited sours typically showcase one or two fruits against a clean sour base, whereas Paczki XL adds almond extract and vanilla to create a layered pastry-inspired complexity that goes well beyond standard fruit sours. The body is also noticeably thicker and more dessert-like than a typical Berliner Weisse or gose.

Is Paczki XL good for sipping on its own? Yes — the beer's complexity rewards slow, deliberate sipping, and the thick mouthfeel and balanced tartness make it satisfying without any additions. Pouring it into a tulip glass enhances the aromatic experience.

Where is Paczki XL made? Paczki XL is brewed by The Brewing Projekt in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, a city in the west-central part of the state known for a growing craft beer scene. The brewery has earned national recognition from outlets including Food & Wine.

What foods pair well with Paczki XL? Rich, creamy cheeses like brie or triple-crème complement the beer's tartness. Dark chocolate desserts mirror its berry depth. Charcuterie boards with cured meats provide a savory counterpoint. Fresh fruit tarts echo the strawberry and raspberry notes. Pork belly or glazed ham works well, as the acidity cuts through the fat.

What sizes does Paczki XL come in? Paczki XL is available as a 4-pack of cans, which is the standard retail format from The Brewing Projekt for this release.

Is Paczki XL worth the price? Paczki XL positions as a craft-premium pastry sour ale, and its heavy fruit additions, specialty ingredients like almond extract and vanilla, and limited distribution justify its placement above everyday sour ales. For fans of the style, the 4.1 Untappd rating across hundreds of reviews signals consistent consumer satisfaction.

Why Paczki XL?

What separates Paczki XL from the crowded field of fruited sour ales is its commitment to a specific culinary reference point — the Polish paczki — rather than simply dumping fruit into a kettle sour. The combination of strawberry, raspberry, almond extract, and vanilla is calibrated to evoke that particular pastry, and the thick, puree-like body reinforces the experience in a way lighter sours cannot. Backed by a 4.1 Untappd rating and brewed at a nationally recognized Wisconsin brewery, this is a pastry sour that delivers on its ambitious concept with genuine flavor depth and balance.