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
	Stewarts Decathlon (10th Anniversary) DE, United States	4	3.329
	Vapeur dAntan Belgium	4	3.371
	Double Enghien Brune Belgium	4	3.457
	Poiluchette Brune Cuvee du Chateau Belgium	4	3.329
	Struise / Stillwater Outblack Belgium	4	3.343
	512 One TX, United States	3	3.234
	Tongerlo Christmas Belgium	3	3.234
	Heavy Seas Holy Sheet Brandy Barrel MD, United States	3	3.517
	Schoune La Reb' Ale Canada	3	3.300
	BFM La Torpille Switzerland	3	3.334
	Rabbit's Foot Diabhal CA, United States	3	3.217
	Charles Quint Blonde Dorée/ Keizer Karel Goudblond Belgium	3	3.184
	Noël de Silenrieux 9% Belgium	3	3.384
	Abbaye de St Landelin Mythique France	3	3.034
	Double Enghien Blonde Belgium	3	3.167
	Heavyweight Bizzaro NJ, United States	3	3.484
	Boerken Belgium	3	3.334
	Kuhnhenn Simcoe Silly Ale MI, United States	3	3.367
	The Commons Brotherly Love OR, United States	3	3.434
	Amager Julebryg 2007 Denmark	3	3.284