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
	Off Color / Three Floyds Rats in the Ashes IL, United States	1	3.200
	BJ's 2006 Barrel Aged Grand Cru CA, United States	1	3.200
	Persimmon Hollow Holler Hopper FL, United States	1	3.200
	Alvinne Balthazar Belgium	5	3.188
	Sainte Helene Lily Blue Belgium	4	3.186
	Ename Cuvee 974 Belgium	4	3.186
	Victory Sapphire Ale PA, United States	3	3.184
	Kerstvuur Belgium	3	3.184
	Charles Quint Blonde Dorée/ Keizer Karel Goudblond Belgium	3	3.184
	Campus Belgium	3	3.184
	Big Boss Hell's Belle Belgian Blond NC, United States	3	3.184
	La Ramee Blond Belgium	2	3.180
	Brune De Neuch Switzerland	2	3.180
	Mikkeller Yeast Series: Belgian Ale Denmark	2	3.180
	Wolf 9 Belgium	2	3.180
	Zottegemse Grand Cru Belgium	2	3.180
	Wolf 8 Belgium	2	3.180
	O'so Belgian Dark WI, United States	2	3.180
	Bitter End Tres Diablos TX, United States	2	3.180
	Sinpalsken Donker Belgium	2	3.180