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
	Henderson Brewing / Rush Moving Pitchers Canada	1	3.175
	Gulden Draak Cuvée Prestige Bourbon Belgium	1	3.175
	Birra del Borgo 25 dodici Natale (8%) Italy	1	3.175
	Hitachino Nest XH Bourbon Barrel Aged Japan	1	3.175
	Lagerhaus Christmas Nymph FL, United States	1	3.175
	Social Fox Mighty Vox GA, United States	1	3.175
	Stone Winter Harvest CA, United States	1	3.175
	Deschutes 19th Anniversary Golden Ale OR, United States	7	3.170
	De Horste Vermeer Netherlands	3	3.167
	Double Enghien Blonde Belgium	3	3.167
	Bush 7% (Clovis) Belgium	5	3.163
	General Lafayette Emperors New Clothes PA, United States	2	3.160
	Fantome Flop! Belgium	2	3.160
	Brootcoorens La Sambresse Blonde Belgium	2	3.160
	Ølfabrikken Nytår 2007 Denmark	2	3.160
	Ommegang Obamagang Inauguration Ale 2009 NY, United States	2	3.160
	Wild Heaven Invocation GA, United States	2	3.160
	Redbud Cuvee Two OK, United States	2	3.160
	Tooth And Nail Truce Canada	2	3.160
	dEcaussinnes Ultra Delice Belgium	4	3.157