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
	Acoustic Ales The Groupie Belgian Style Blonde Ale CA, United States	0	0.000
	Adriaen Brouwer Dark Gold Belgium	9	3.592
	Affligem Noel Belgium	35	3.800
	Aiken Randys Grand Cru SC, United States	1	3.075
	Airdale Bombshell CA, United States	0	0.000
	Alchemist Grote Bruin VT, United States	0	0.000
	Alchemist Menage a Trois VT, United States	0	0.000
	Alchemist Petit Mutant VT, United States	0	0.000
	Alchemist Winter Warmer VT, United States	0	0.000
	Ale Asylum Mercy Belgian Grand Cru WI, United States	9	3.850
	Alesmith Barrel Aged Grand Cru CA, United States	1	3.350
	AleSmith Grand Cru CA, United States	37	3.943
	AleSmith Horny Devil CA, United States	43	3.822
	All Saints Saint Nikolas Winter Ale PA, United States	0	0.000
	Allagash / New Belgium Vrienden ME, United States	0	0.000
	Allagash 10th Anniversary Ale ME, United States	9	3.492
	Allagash 11th Anniversary Ale ME, United States	7	3.580
	Allagash Barrel and Bean ME, United States	0	0.000
	Allagash Confluence Ale ME, United States	10	3.754
	Allagash Curieux ME, United States	34	3.800