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
	St. Feuillien Grand Cru Belgium	9	3.492
	Trader Joe's Vintage Ale 2005 Canada	9	3.692
	BFM Abbaye de Saint Bon-Chien 2004 Switzerland	9	3.517
	Ellezelloise Quintine Amber Belgium	9	3.367
	Roman Sloeber Belgium	9	3.250
	t IJ Turbock Netherlands	9	3.717
	Artevelde Grand Cru Belgium	9	3.558
	Ellezelloise Quintine Blonde Belgium	9	3.317
	Piraat 9% Belgium	8	3.319
	dEcaussinnes Ultra Ambree Belgium	8	3.345
	Nebraska Chardonnay French Oak Melange A Trois NE, United States	8	3.636
	Hoppin' Frog Gulden Fraug OH, United States	8	3.273
	Gouden Carolus Easter Beer Belgium	8	3.527
	Midnight Sun Monks Mistress Dark Strong Ale AK, United States	8	3.591
	dEcaussinnes Ultra Blonde Belgium	8	3.428
	Leffe Royale Belgium	8	3.555
	De Dolle Stille Nacht Special Reserva 2005 Belgium	8	3.737
	New Glarus R & D Series Golden Ale WI, United States	8	3.291
	Dupont Cervesia Archéosite Aubechies-Blicquy Belgium	8	3.391
	St. Feuillien Blonde Belgium	8	3.382