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
	Biere du Boucanier Dark Ale Belgium	15	3.606
	t IJ Struis Netherlands	16	3.600
	Bink Grand Cru Belgium	2	3.600
	Brugse Straffe Hendrik Brune Belgium	7	3.600
	Poperings Hommel Bier Belgium	28	3.597
	De Ranke Guldenberg Belgium	14	3.594
	Adriaen Brouwer Dark Gold Belgium	9	3.592
	Midnight Sun Monks Mistress Dark Strong Ale AK, United States	8	3.591
	t Smisje Guido Belgium	5	3.588
	COOP DNR OK, United States	5	3.588
	Lucky Bucket Certified Evil NE, United States	5	3.588
	Abbaye de Floreffe Prima Melior (Meilleure) Belgium	12	3.586
	Gouden Carolus Hopsinjoor Belgium	22	3.584
	Stone 10.10.10 Vertical Epic Ale CA, United States	22	3.584
	Troubadour Obscura Belgium	24	3.581
	Allagash 11th Anniversary Ale ME, United States	7	3.580
	La Caracole Nostradamus Belgium	45	3.579
	Radermacher Rader Ambree Belgium	5	3.575
	Barbar Belgian Honey Ale / Barbar Blonde Belgium	26	3.572
	Leffe Radieuse Belgium	11	3.571