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
	Ename Cuvee 974 Belgium	4	3.186
	De Molen Mooi & Meedogenloos Netherlands	4	3.643
	Reinaert Grand Cru Belgium	4	3.229
	The Bruery 4 Calling Birds CA, United States	4	3.457
	The Bruery 3 French Hens CA, United States	4	3.429
	Achilles Serafijn Grand Cru Belgium	4	3.386
	Saint-Monon Bière au Miel (Honing) Belgium	4	3.443
	Bie Kerstbier Belgium	4	3.471
	Trader Joe's Providential Belgian Style Golden Ale Canada	4	3.329
	Les 3 Brasseurs Bière des Fêtes (Holiday Ale) Canada	4	3.471
	Panil Enhanced Italy	4	3.214
	Brøckhouse Juleøl Denmark	4	3.643
	Dormaal Wit Goud Belgium	4	3.257
	Bottleworks Van den Vern Grand Cru Belgium	4	3.371
	La Ramee Amber Belgium	4	3.329
	Smuttynose Homunculus NH, United States	4	3.557
	FiftyFifty Concentrated Evil CA, United States	4	3.257
	Le Trou du Diable La Grivoise de Noël Canada	4	3.457
	Scheldebrouwerij Straffe Toeback Belgium	4	3.400
	Achilles Serafijn Donker Belgium	4	3.400