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
	Pauwel Kwak Belgium	63	3.959
	Gulden Draak Belgium	77	3.954
	AleSmith Grand Cru CA, United States	37	3.943
	Stone 12.12.12 Vertical Epic Ale CA, United States	14	3.923
	Van Twee Belgium	7	3.920
	Stone 09.09.09 Vertical Epic Ale CA, United States	22	3.920
	Bush Prestige (Scaldis Prestige) Belgium	19	3.918
	Unibroue Édition 2004 Canada	35	3.913
	De Dolle Oerbier Belgium	39	3.903
	St. Bernardus Christmas Ale Belgium	35	3.897
	Achel Bruin 8 Belgium	41	3.882
	Midnight Sun La Mâitresse du Moine AK, United States	14	3.876
	Unibroue Maudite Canada	106	3.875
	De Dolle Stille Nacht Reserva 2000 Belgium	8	3.873
	De Dolle Boskeun Belgium	24	3.867
	Unibroue 11 Canada	19	3.864
	Struise Pannepot Reserva Oak Aged Belgium	11	3.857
	Unibroue Édition 2005 Canada	28	3.852
	Unibroue 17 Canada	26	3.852
	Ale Asylum Mercy Belgian Grand Cru WI, United States	9	3.850