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
	Lucifer (Vintages through 2008) Belgium	20	3.439
	Vervifontaine Bière du Fagnard Rousse Belgium	5	3.438
	La Binchoise Biere Des Ours Belgium	5	3.438
	De Proef Flemish Primitive Belgium	18	3.438
	Holy Mackerel Special Golden Ale FL, United States	10	3.438
	Saint Somewhere Lectio Divina FL, United States	19	3.436
	Spencer Trappist Holiday Ale MA, United States	3	3.434
	The Commons Brotherly Love OR, United States	3	3.434
	Birrificio del Ducato Chimera Italy	3	3.434
	Zundert 8 Netherlands	3	3.434
	Regal Christmas Belgium	6	3.433
	The Bruery 3 French Hens CA, United States	4	3.429
	Malheur Cuvee Royale Belgium	4	3.429
	dEcaussinnes Ultra Blonde Belgium	8	3.428
	Hi-Wire / Burial Firebreather NC, United States	1	3.425
	Flossmoor Station Ovation IL, United States	1	3.425
	Saint Paul Blonde France	1	3.425
	Le Baladin Super Sour Edition 2006 Italy	1	3.425
	Urthel Tonicum Finiboldhus Belgium	10	3.423
	Mikkeller Funky Easter Denmark	10	3.423