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
	Yards Trubbel de Yards PA, United States	6	3.467
	Sterkens Bokrijks Kruikenbier Belgium	6	3.422
	Bush Ambrée-Amber Triple (Scaldis Amber Triple) Belgium	6	3.400
	Dogwood Winter Ale 2001 GA, United States	6	3.445
	New Belgium Lips of Faith Paardebloem CO, United States	6	3.400
	Dicks Grand Cru WA, United States	6	3.333
	Hoegaarden Julius Belgium	6	3.611
	Grimbergen Cuvee de lErmitage Belgium	6	3.367
	The Bruery Batch 1 (Levuds) CA, United States	6	3.389
	Trader Joe's Vintage Ale 2009 Canada	6	3.611
	De Hemel Nieuw Ligt Grand Cru Netherlands	5	3.413
	Verhaeghe Noel Belgium	5	3.100
	Le Cheval Blanc Tord Vis! Canada	5	3.225
	Birra del Borgo 25 Dodici Italy	5	3.375
	Brunehaut Abbaye de Saint-Martin Blonde Belgium	5	2.650
	Caulier Blonde de Noël Belgium	5	3.013
	COOP DNR OK, United States	5	3.588
	Eisenbahn Lust Brazil	5	3.338
	Kasteel Winter Belgium	5	3.525
	Mikkeller Yeast Series: Brettanomyces Denmark	5	3.475