Belgian Strong Ale

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