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
	Rock Art The Riddler VT, United States	2	3.220
	Brøckhouse Slotsøl Denmark	2	2.880
	Tuatara Ardennes New Zealand	2	2.940
	Nils Oscar Julöl 2000 Sweden	2	3.400
	Unibroue 30e Anniversaire Canada	2	3.380
	Boon Duivelsbier Belgium	2	3.220
	Harpoon 100 Barrel Series - Refsvindinge Private Stock MA, United States	2	2.880
	Valley Brew Decadence Grand Cru CA, United States	2	3.680
	Gouyasse Urchon Brune Belgium	2	2.980
	Nodding Head Georges Fault PA, United States	2	3.340
	Queue de Charrue Blonde Belgium	2	2.940
	Le Grimoire Infernale Canada	2	2.960
	Brøckhouse Påskebryg Denmark	2	3.280
	Delafield Monastic Bombastic WI, United States	2	3.340
	Brooklyn Fortitude NY, United States	2	3.340
	De Landtsheer Aymon Belgium	2	3.180
	Blonde Bie Belgium	2	2.980
	Zottegemse Grand Cru Belgium	2	3.180
	La Plaisir de Au Maître Brasseur (Brune Belge) Canada	2	2.940
	Craftsman Aurora Borealis CA, United States	2	3.300