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
	t IJ Vlo Netherlands	5	3.500
	Troll Palanfrina Italy	2	3.500
	Zundert 10 Netherlands	3	3.500
	Judas Belgium	12	3.500
	Victory Grand Cru PA, United States	12	3.500
	Holy Mackerel Panic Attack FL, United States	6	3.500
	Brunehaut Abbaye de St-Martin Cuvée de Noël Belgium	3	3.500
	The Bruery Trois Poules Francais CA, United States	2	3.500
	Weihenstephaner / Samuel Adams Infinium Germany	20	3.496
	Green Flash Grand Cru (Grand Mantis) CA, United States	12	3.494
	Allagash Victoria Ale ME, United States	11	3.493
	St. Feuillien Grand Cru Belgium	9	3.492
	Allagash 10th Anniversary Ale ME, United States	9	3.492
	Avery Salvation CO, United States	40	3.491
	Hertog Jan Grand Prestige Netherlands	7	3.490
	Schlafly Grand Cru MO, United States	6	3.489
	Le Cheval Blanc Blonde dAchouffe Canada	5	3.488
	Montegioco Quarta Runa Italy	4	3.486
	Heavyweight Bizzaro NJ, United States	3	3.484
	Duvel Tripel Hop (2014): Mosaic Belgium	3	3.484