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 Hemel Nieuw Ligt Netherlands	5	3.538
	Atomium Premier Grand Cru Belgium	5	3.538
	Noël des Géants Belgium	10	3.531
	Great Divide Grand Cru CO, United States	11	3.529
	Gouden Carolus Easter Beer Belgium	8	3.527
	Hitachino Nest XH Japan	13	3.525
	Kasteel Winter Belgium	5	3.525
	Radical Road The Wayward Son Canada	5	3.525
	North Coast Grand Cru CA, United States	5	3.525
	t IJ Columbus Netherlands	14	3.524
	Baladin Noël Italy	7	3.520
	De Ranke Noir De Dottignies Belgium	7	3.520
	Artisans Brasseurs Aldegonde Ambrée Belgium	2	3.520
	BFM Abbaye de Saint Bon-Chien 2004 Switzerland	9	3.517
	Heavy Seas Holy Sheet Brandy Barrel MD, United States	3	3.517
	Malheur 12 Belgium	18	3.514
	Brewers Art Canard MD, United States	5	3.513
	Petrus Winter #9 Belgium	7	3.510
	Samuel Adams Long Shot Friar Hop Ale MA, United States	9	3.509
	Allagash Fluxus ME, United States	8	3.509