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
	Abbaye des Rocs Brune Belgium	46	4.290
	Chimay Grande Réserve (Blue) Belgium	191	4.233
	Westvleteren Extra 8 Belgium	61	4.229
	Rochefort Trappistes 8 Belgium	117	4.192
	Russian River Temptation CA, United States	20	4.161
	Struise Pannepot Grand Reserva Oak Aged Belgium	18	4.148
	Pizza Port Cuvee de Tomme CA, United States	30	4.139
	Abbaye des Rocs Grand Cru Belgium	56	4.107
	Gouden Carolus Cuvee Van De Keizer Blauw/Blue Belgium	48	4.096
	Struise Pannepot Belgium	39	4.093
	De Dolle Oerbier Special Reserva Belgium	33	4.089
	Unibroue Trois Pistoles Canada	108	4.076
	Unibroue La Terrible Canada	73	4.054
	Duvel Belgium	168	4.052
	Beatrix Netherlands	11	4.050
	Corsendonk Christmas Ale Belgium	51	4.045
	La Chouffe Belgium	71	4.038
	Charlevoix Dominus Vobiscum Lupulus Canada	13	4.038
	Abbaye des Rocs Triple Imperiale Belgium	32	4.026
	Ommegang Abbey Ale NY, United States	91	3.970