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
	Duvel Tripel Hop (2012): Citra Belgium	2	3.300
	Trader Joe's Vintage Ale 2015 Canada	2	3.280
	Railway City The Strong Man Belgian Dark Canada	2	3.280
	Dugges Wallonia 2007 Sweden	2	3.240
	Duvel Tripel Hop (2015): Equinox Belgium	2	3.260
	Kagua Blanc Japan	2	3.320
	Gouden Carolus Cuvée van de Keizer Whisky Infused Belgium	2	3.420
	Good People Stepchild AL, United States	2	3.440
	Allagash James Bean ME, United States	2	3.280
	Wild Heaven Invocation GA, United States	2	3.160
	De Dochter van de Korenaar Noblesse Extra-ordinaire Belgium	2	3.220
	Fat Heads Sorcerer OH, United States	2	3.400
	Slaapmutske Anniversary Ale Pressklubben 10 Belgium	2	3.060
	Brasserie du Bas-Canada Le Grand Condor Canada	2	3.140
	Mill Street Illuminari Canada	2	3.240
	Sint Canarus Willy Kriegel Belgium	2	3.120
	Saint-Monon Spéciale Noël Belgium	2	3.280
	Boelens Kerstbier (Santa-Bee) Belgium	2	3.040
	Brooklyn Cuvée Noire NY, United States	2	3.440
	Sint Canarus Tripel Belgium	2	3.140