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
	Cimes Yeti France	5	3.563
	t Smisje Guido Belgium	5	3.588
	Lucky Bucket Certified Evil NE, United States	5	3.588
	Amarcord La Tabachera Italy	5	3.275
	Le Cheval Blanc Blonde dAchouffe Canada	5	3.488
	Gaverhopke Zingende Blondine Belgium	5	3.338
	Eisenbahn Lust Brazil	5	3.338
	De Hemel Nieuw Ligt Netherlands	5	3.538
	Atomium Premier Grand Cru Belgium	5	3.538
	Daves BrewFarm Matacabras WI, United States	5	3.213
	Bush 7% (Clovis) Belgium	5	3.163
	Radical Road The Wayward Son Canada	5	3.525
	COOP DNR OK, United States	5	3.588
	Le Baladin Super Baladin Sour Edition 2005 Italy	4	3.557
	Scheldebrouwerij Straffe Toeback Belgium	4	3.400
	Ename Cuvee 974 Belgium	4	3.186
	Nøgne Ø Imperial Dunkel Wit Norway	4	3.286
	De Molen Mooi & Meedogenloos Netherlands	4	3.643
	Achilles Serafijn Christmas Angel Belgium	4	3.114
	La Rulles Blonde Belgium	4	3.286