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
	Kerelsbier Donker Belgium	1	2.850
	De Leckere Winterbier Netherlands	1	2.850
	Trèfle Noir Hurlevent Canada	1	2.850
	Sharp Edge Over the Edge Belgium	2	2.840
	Newport Beach Anniversaire 16 Farmhouse Ale CA, United States	1	2.825
	Peace Tree Blonde Fatale IA, United States	1	2.825
	Le Grimoire Nomade Canada	1	2.825
	Breughel Bière de Noël Canada	3	2.800
	Buitenlust Dubbel Belgium	1	2.800
	La Bière du Boucanier Christmas Belgium	2	2.800
	Les Frères Houblon Coureur des Bois Canada	2	2.800
	Odyssey Perpetual Darkness Belgian Black CO, United States	1	2.800
	Sezoens Quattro Belgium	1	2.750
	dEcaussinnes Cookie Beer Belgium	3	2.650
	Brunehaut Abbaye de Saint-Martin Blonde Belgium	5	2.650
	Trap 40 Grand Cru Belgium	3	2.650
	Pigeonnelle Pigeonoël France	1	2.625
	Au Maître Brasseur JoviAle Canada	1	2.550
	Gordon Finest Platinum Belgium	2	2.540
	Breughel Boswell Canada	1	2.500