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
	Sterkens St. Sebastiaan Grand Reserve Belgium	14	3.670
	Midnight Sun La Mâitresse du Moine AK, United States	14	3.876
	De Ranke Guldenberg Belgium	14	3.594
	Allagash Victor ME, United States	14	3.629
	Biere du Boucanier Red Ale Belgium	14	3.359
	Lost Abbey Ten Commandments CA, United States	14	3.730
	Hapkin Belgium	14	3.758
	Great Divide Belgica CO, United States	13	3.294
	Charlevoix Dominus Vobiscum Lupulus Canada	13	4.038
	LeFebvre Hopus Belgium	13	3.344
	Malheur Bière Brut Reserve Belgium	13	3.681
	t Smisje BBBourgondier Belgium	13	3.237
	Hitachino Nest XH Japan	13	3.525
	Val-Dieu Grand Cru Belgium	13	3.743
	The Bruery 2 Turtle Doves CA, United States	12	3.720
	Unibroue 17 Grande Reserve Canada	12	3.714
	Judas Belgium	12	3.500
	Green Flash Grand Cru (Grand Mantis) CA, United States	12	3.494
	Duvel Tripel Hop (2010-2011): Amarillo Belgium	12	3.760
	Victory Grand Cru PA, United States	12	3.500