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
	Leffe Royale Belgium	8	3.555
	dEcaussinnes Ultra Ambree Belgium	8	3.345
	Piraat 9% Belgium	8	3.319
	Gouden Carolus Easter Beer Belgium	8	3.527
	dEcaussinnes Ultra Blonde Belgium	8	3.428
	t Smisje Kerst Belgium	7	3.440
	Glazen Toren Cuvée Angélique Belgium	7	3.650
	Van Twee Belgium	7	3.920
	Allagash 11th Anniversary Ale ME, United States	7	3.580
	Gordon Finest Gold Belgium	7	3.200
	De La Senne Equinox Winter Beer Belgium	7	3.550
	Bethlehem Brew Works Rude Elfs Reserve PA, United States	7	3.460
	Baladin Noël Italy	7	3.520
	De Ranke Noir De Dottignies Belgium	7	3.520
	Brugse Straffe Hendrik Brune Belgium	7	3.600
	Deschutes 19th Anniversary Golden Ale OR, United States	7	3.170
	Legacy Euphoria PA, United States	7	3.070
	Cascade Vlad the Imp Aler OR, United States	7	3.770
	Bush Blonde Belgium	7	3.340
	Petrus Winter #9 Belgium	7	3.510