Belgian Strong Ale

Belgian Strong Ale

1678 beers | 3.782 Avg Score

Like regular Belgian ales, the Belgian strong ales also can range in color from pale to dark varieties. Regardless of the color, however, the Belgian strong ales are significantly stronger in alcohol content (7% and higher) and more complex than their weaker counterparts, although the good examples are not harsh. Flavors for the pale colored varieites include earthy, yeasty, fruity, peppery, sweet, and spicey attributes, while the dark colored varieties include caramel, bready, dark fruits (figs, prunes, raisins, plums), sweet, and spicey character. Belgian strong ales are also normally fermented with an addition of candi sugar. The resulting mouthfeel is typically moderate, often deceivingly lighter than their malt and alcohol content would suggest, due to the added candi sugar and high carbonation levels. The pale and golden varieties of Belgian strong ales normally differ from abbey tripels (which could be considered a subcategory of golden Belgian strong ales) in their lower bittering levels than the tripels, while the dark strong ales differ from dubbels in their malt and alcohol levels, but often overlap with the Abbey Quadrupels on both malt and alcohol levels (Abbey Quadrupels could be considered a subcategory of dark Belgian strong ales).

Beer | Location Reviews Score
Chimay Grande Réserve (Blue)
Belgium
191
4.233
Duvel
Belgium
168
4.052
Rochefort Trappistes 8
Belgium
117
4.192
Unibroue Trois Pistoles
Canada
108
4.076
Unibroue Maudite
Canada
106
3.875
Delirium Tremens
Belgium
96
3.673
Dogfish Head Raison D'Etre
DE, United States
96
3.817
Ommegang Abbey Ale
NY, United States
91
3.970
Delirium Nocturnum
Belgium
87
3.653
Gulden Draak
Belgium
77
3.954
Piraat 10.5%
Belgium
74
3.617
Unibroue La Terrible
Canada
73
4.054
La Chouffe
Belgium
71
4.038
Pauwel Kwak
Belgium
63
3.959
Westvleteren Extra 8
Belgium
61
4.229
Abbaye des Rocs Grand Cru
Belgium
56
4.107
Delirium Noel
Belgium
55
3.849
North Coast Brother Thelonious
CA, United States
53
3.682
Corsendonk Christmas Ale
Belgium
51
4.045
Gouden Carolus Cuvee Van De Keizer Blauw/Blue
Belgium
48
4.096