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
	Le Grimoire Infernale Canada	2	2.960
	Parallel 49 Vow of Silence Canada	2	2.960
	De 7de hemel Avondrood Netherlands	1	2.950
	’t Hofbrouwerijke Hof Korvatunturi Belgium	1	2.950
	Midtfyns Rough Snuff Fisherman’s Ale Denmark	1	2.950
	Virklund Virklunder Rød Denmark	1	2.950
	Det Lille Bryggeri Water Of Life Denmark	1	2.950
	Bzart Single Hop Belgium	1	2.950
	Tuatara Ardennes New Zealand	2	2.940
	Queue de Charrue Blonde Belgium	2	2.940
	La Plaisir de Au Maître Brasseur (Brune Belge) Canada	2	2.940
	Zwijntje Belgium	2	2.940
	Baggårdsbryggeriet Eksperimentet Denmark	1	2.925
	t Smisje Grande Reserva Belgium	1	2.925
	Lompoc Living Proof Ale OR, United States	1	2.925
	Berghoeve Vuurdoop Netherlands	1	2.925
	Voodoo Gran Met PA, United States	2	2.920
	Het Elfde Gebod Netherlands	1	2.900
	Bluegrass Hell For Certain KY, United States	2	2.900
	Multi-Brasses La Pentecôte Blonde Canada	2	2.900