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
	Grimbergen Cuvee de lErmitage Belgium	6	3.367
	Kuhnhenn Simcoe Silly Ale MI, United States	3	3.367
	Midnight Sun Fallen Angel AK, United States	3	3.367
	Ellezelloise Quintine Amber Belgium	9	3.367
	Panil Barriquée (Mild) Italy	5	3.363
	Le Cheval Blanc Brune dAchouffe Canada	5	3.363
	Dubuisson Scaldis / Bush (Prestige) de Nuits Belgium	2	3.360
	La Choulette Brune France	2	3.360
	The Commons Little Brother OR, United States	2	3.360
	Avery Oak Barrel Salvation CO, United States	2	3.360
	Rochefortoise Brune Belgium	2	3.360
	Abdij Averbode Belgium	2	3.360
	Oggi's Sanctuary CA, United States	2	3.360
	Titletown St. Norbert Abbey Ale WI, United States	2	3.360
	Allagash Sixteen Counties ME, United States	2	3.360
	Lighthouse Big Flavour Series: Belgian Black Canada	2	3.360
	Biere du Boucanier Red Ale Belgium	14	3.359
	Vapeur en Folie Belgium	11	3.358
	Montegioco Birra Artigianale Demon Hunter Italy	4	3.357
	Karl Strauss 21st Anniversary Ale CA, United States	4	3.357