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
	Midnight Sun Conspiracy AK, United States	4	3.400
	Montegioco Quarta Runa Italy	4	3.486
	Montegioco Birra Artigianale Draco Italy	4	3.329
	Montegioco Birra Artigianale Demon Hunter Italy	4	3.357
	Nøgne Ø Imperial Dunkel Wit Norway	4	3.286
	Le Baladin Super Baladin Sour Edition 2005 Italy	4	3.557
	La Rulles Blonde Belgium	4	3.286
	Scheldebrouwerij Straffe Toeback Belgium	4	3.400
	Bloemen Bier Belgium	4	3.257
	Karl Strauss 21st Anniversary Ale CA, United States	4	3.357
	Potteloereke Belgium	4	3.314
	The Bruery 3 French Hens CA, United States	4	3.429
	Breughel Grand Cru Canada	4	3.014
	Malheur Cuvee Royale Belgium	4	3.429
	De Dochter van de Korenaar Embrasse Belgium	4	3.657
	FiftyFifty Concentrated Evil CA, United States	4	3.257
	Les 3 Brasseurs Bière des Fêtes (Holiday Ale) Canada	4	3.471
	Ename Cuvee 974 Belgium	4	3.186
	De Molen Mooi & Meedogenloos Netherlands	4	3.643
	La Ramee Amber Belgium	4	3.329