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
	Allagash Confluence Ale ME, United States	10	3.754
	Clown Shoes Muffin Top MA, United States	10	3.646
	River Horse Belgian Frostbite Winter Ale NJ, United States	10	3.062
	SKA True Blonde Dubbel CO, United States	10	3.146
	Grimbergen Optimo Bruno Belgium	10	3.677
	Urthel Tonicum Finiboldhus Belgium	10	3.423
	Leffe 9 Belgium	10	3.546
	Mikkeller Santas Little Helper 2007 Denmark	10	3.669
	Holy Mackerel Special Golden Ale FL, United States	10	3.438
	Mikkeller Funky Easter Denmark	10	3.423
	Ellezelloise Quintine Amber Belgium	9	3.367
	t IJ Turbock Netherlands	9	3.717
	Ale Asylum Mercy Belgian Grand Cru WI, United States	9	3.850
	Artevelde Grand Cru Belgium	9	3.558
	De Dolle Dulle Teve Special Reserva Belgium	9	3.809
	Pater Lieven Kerst Pater Special Christmas Beer Belgium	9	3.442
	BFM Abbaye de Saint Bon-Chien 2004 Switzerland	9	3.517
	Allagash 10th Anniversary Ale ME, United States	9	3.492
	Leffe Vieille Cuvee Belgium	9	3.767
	Ellezelloise Quintine Blonde Belgium	9	3.317