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
	Cigar City Oblique Belgian Dark FL, United States	1	3.025
	Henderson Brewing / Rush Xanabrew Canada	1	3.200
	Social Fox Mighty Vox GA, United States	1	3.175
	Verhaeghe Barbe Noël 10% (2017 - ) Belgium	1	3.150
	Verhaeghe Barbe Rufa Belgium	1	3.100
	Barrique Diable Déguisé TN, United States	1	3.075
	Mille-Îles Blonde du Diable Sotol Canada	1	3.300
	Brix Santa Baby Norway	1	3.150
	Lost Abbey Gnoel de Abbey CA, United States	1	3.250
	New Holland Dragon's Milk Tales Of Gold MI, United States	1	3.275
	À La Dérive / 5e Baron / L'Autre Œil Deuvilles Canada	1	3.275
	Det Lille Bryggeri Vintage Julebryg 2013 Denmark	1	3.125
	Det Lille Bryggeri Cellar Monk Denmark	1	3.125
	Gouden Carolus Indulgence 2022 Festiva Belgium	1	3.200
	Baladin Nöel Gentile Italy	1	3.200
	Baladin Nöel Vanille Italy	1	3.125
	Baladin Nöel Liquirizia Italy	1	3.200
	Verzet Banjo Funeral Belgium	1	3.225
	Verzet Moose Blues Belgium	1	3.225
	Stone Winter Harvest CA, United States	1	3.175