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
	Stone 07.07.07 Vertical Epic Ale CA, United States	36	3.567
	Affligem Noel Belgium	35	3.800
	Gouden Carolus Noel Belgium	35	3.829
	St. Bernardus Christmas Ale Belgium	35	3.897
	Unibroue Édition 2004 Canada	35	3.913
	Allagash Curieux ME, United States	34	3.800
	De Dolle Oerbier Special Reserva Belgium	33	4.089
	Abbaye des Rocs Triple Imperiale Belgium	32	4.026
	Avery The Beast Grand Cru CO, United States	31	3.638
	Victory V-12 PA, United States	31	3.638
	Belzebuth France	30	3.055
	Pizza Port Cuvee de Tomme CA, United States	30	4.139
	Bell's Hell Hath No Fury MI, United States	30	3.675
	Stone 04.04.04 Vertical Epic Ale CA, United States	30	3.636
	De Dolle Arabier Belgium	30	3.718
	Green Flash Le Freak Belgian Style IPA CA, United States	29	3.706
	Dogfish Head Red and White DE, United States	29	3.788
	Poperings Hommel Bier Belgium	28	3.597
	Unibroue Édition 2005 Canada	28	3.852
	Avery Collaboration not Litigation Ale CO, United States	28	3.690