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
	dEcaussinnes Ultra Brune Belgium	9	3.567
	Stone 07.07.07 Vertical Epic Ale CA, United States	36	3.567
	Bie Zatte Bie Belgium	12	3.566
	Sterkens St. Sebastiaan Dark Belgium	22	3.564
	Val-Dieu Biere de Noel Belgium	11	3.564
	Cimes Yeti France	5	3.563
	Artevelde Grand Cru Belgium	9	3.558
	Le Baladin Super Baladin Sour Edition 2005 Italy	4	3.557
	The Commons Bourbon Little Brother OR, United States	4	3.557
	Smuttynose Homunculus NH, United States	4	3.557
	Leffe Royale Belgium	8	3.555
	Malheur 10 Belgium	24	3.552
	St. Feuillien Cuvee de Noel Belgium	22	3.552
	Big Sky Biere de Noel MT, United States	5	3.550
	De La Senne Equinox Winter Beer Belgium	7	3.550
	5 Seasons Quinte55ence GA, United States	3	3.550
	Stone 07.07.07 Vertical Epic Ale (Red Wine Barrel Aged) CA, United States	3	3.550
	Leffe 9 Belgium	10	3.546
	Vondel Flemish Brown Ale Belgium	14	3.541
	McKenzie Abbey 11 PA, United States	2	3.540