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
	Brunehaut Abbaye de Saint-Martin Blonde Belgium	5	2.650
	Birra del Borgo 25 Dodici Italy	5	3.375
	De Hemel Nieuw Ligt Grand Cru Netherlands	5	3.413
	Le Cheval Blanc Tord Vis! Canada	5	3.225
	Alvinne Balthazar Belgium	5	3.188
	Panil Barriquée (Mild) Italy	5	3.363
	Kasteel Winter Belgium	5	3.525
	La Caracole Saxo Bio Belgium	5	3.338
	North Coast Grand Cru CA, United States	5	3.525
	t IJ Vlo Netherlands	5	3.500
	Mikkeller Nelson Sauvignon Denmark	5	3.688
	Verhaeghe Noel Belgium	5	3.100
	New Belgium Lips of Faith Wild² Dubbel CO, United States	5	3.275
	Mikkeller Yeast Series: Brettanomyces Denmark	5	3.475
	Brewers Art Canard MD, United States	5	3.513
	Amarcord La Tabachera Italy	5	3.275
	Lucky Bucket Certified Evil NE, United States	5	3.588
	t Smisje Guido Belgium	5	3.588
	Cimes Yeti France	5	3.563
	Victory White Monkey PA, United States	5	3.400