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
	Judas Belgium	12	3.500
	Bie Zatte Bie Belgium	12	3.566
	Abbaye de Floreffe Prima Melior (Meilleure) Belgium	12	3.586
	Unibroue 17 Grande Reserve Canada	12	3.714
	Heavyweight Baltus O.V.S. NJ, United States	12	3.274
	Victory Grand Cru PA, United States	12	3.500
	Great Divide Grand Cru CO, United States	11	3.529
	Allagash Victoria Ale ME, United States	11	3.493
	Struise Pannepot Reserva Oak Aged Belgium	11	3.857
	Slaapmutske Christmas (Christmas Nightcap) Belgium	11	3.450
	Val-Dieu Biere de Noel Belgium	11	3.564
	Leffe Radieuse Belgium	11	3.571
	Charles Quint (Keizer Karel) Belgium	11	3.664
	Vapeur en Folie Belgium	11	3.358
	Silly La Divine Belgium	11	3.300
	Stone 02.02.02 Vertical Epic Ale CA, United States	11	3.829
	Beatrix Netherlands	11	4.050
	Allagash Confluence Ale ME, United States	10	3.754
	Grimbergen Optimo Bruno Belgium	10	3.677
	Noël des Géants Belgium	10	3.531