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
	Caulier Blonde de Noël Belgium	5	3.013
	Cimes Yeti France	5	3.563
	Verhaeghe Noel Belgium	5	3.100
	Eisenbahn Lust Brazil	5	3.338
	Radermacher Rader Ambree Belgium	5	3.575
	Duvel Groen Belgium	5	3.138
	La Vieille Bon Secours Blonde Belgium	5	3.325
	De Hemel Nieuw Ligt Netherlands	5	3.538
	High & Mighty Home For the Holidays MA, United States	5	3.413
	Gaverhopke Zingende Blondine Belgium	5	3.338
	La Binchoise Biere Des Ours Belgium	5	3.438
	Victory White Monkey PA, United States	5	3.400
	Le Cheval Blanc Tord Vis! Canada	5	3.225
	Reinaert Grand Cru Belgium	4	3.229
	Le Baladin Super Baladin Sour Edition 2005 Italy	4	3.557
	Terrapin Midnight Monk GA, United States	4	3.657
	Victory V-10 PA, United States	4	3.657
	Ename Cuvee 974 Belgium	4	3.186
	De Molen Mooi & Meedogenloos Netherlands	4	3.643
	The Bruery 3 French Hens CA, United States	4	3.429