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
	Delirium Noel Belgium	55	3.849
	Bush de Noel (Scaldis Noel) Belgium	41	3.848
	Russian River Toronado 20th Anniversary CA, United States	7	3.840
	Russian River Salvation CA, United States	27	3.833
	Achel Blond 8 Belgium	45	3.833
	Gouden Carolus Noel Belgium	35	3.829
	Stone 02.02.02 Vertical Epic Ale CA, United States	11	3.829
	AleSmith Horny Devil CA, United States	43	3.822
	De Dolle Stille Nacht Belgium	47	3.822
	Brooklyn Local 1 NY, United States	40	3.819
	Dogfish Head Raison D'Etre DE, United States	96	3.817
	N'ice Chouffe Belgium	43	3.815
	De Dolle Dulle Teve Special Reserva Belgium	9	3.809
	Kasteel Bruin Belgium	37	3.803
	Allagash Curieux ME, United States	34	3.800
	Affligem Noel Belgium	35	3.800
	Malheur Brut Noir Belgium	21	3.792
	Dogfish Head Red and White DE, United States	29	3.788
	Allagash Odyssey ME, United States	16	3.774
	Cascade Vlad the Imp Aler OR, United States	7	3.770