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
	De Dolle Stille Nacht Belgium	47	3.822
	Abbaye des Rocs Brune Belgium	46	4.290
	La Caracole Nostradamus Belgium	45	3.579
	Achel Blond 8 Belgium	45	3.833
	AleSmith Horny Devil CA, United States	43	3.822
	N'ice Chouffe Belgium	43	3.815
	Urthel Hop-It Belgium	41	3.707
	Achel Bruin 8 Belgium	41	3.882
	Bush de Noel (Scaldis Noel) Belgium	41	3.848
	Brooklyn Local 1 NY, United States	40	3.819
	Avery Salvation CO, United States	40	3.491
	Troegs Mad Elf PA, United States	40	3.614
	Goose Island Pere Jacques IL, United States	39	3.624
	Struise Pannepot Belgium	39	4.093
	De Dolle Oerbier Belgium	39	3.903
	Kasteel Bruin Belgium	37	3.803
	Bush Ambrée (Scaldis) Belgium	37	3.643
	AleSmith Grand Cru CA, United States	37	3.943
	Gouden Carolus Classic Belgium	36	3.726
	Russian River Damnation CA, United States	36	3.736