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
	Ølfabrikken Nytår 2006 Denmark	3	3.334
	Sawdust City The Princess Wears Girl Pants and Meet The O.D.B Canada	3	3.467
	Mikkeller Santas Little Helper 2012 Denmark	3	3.350
	Noël de Silenrieux 9% Belgium	3	3.384
	De Graal Gember Belgium	3	3.317
	Christmas Goliath (8%) Belgium	3	3.284
	Zundert 10 Netherlands	3	3.500
	Fantome Magic Ghost Belgium	3	3.317
	Verstraete Papegaei Belgium	3	3.217
	Stewarts Abbey Hoffman 2.5 DE, United States	3	3.417
	Klokke Roeland Belgium	3	3.267
	Tenute Collesi Imper Ale Ubi Rossa Italy	3	3.250
	5 Seasons Quinte55ence GA, United States	3	3.550
	Buckeye Nighty Night OH, United States	3	3.350
	Mikkeller It’s Alive! Hvidvinsfadlagret Denmark	3	3.384
	Saint-Monon Cuvée Ermesinde Belgium	3	3.417
	Mikkeller Mielcke & Hurtigkarl Denmark	3	3.250
	De Dochter van de Korenaar Courage Belgium	3	3.200
	Schlafly Belgian-style Grand Cru MO, United States	3	3.317
	Touken Philomenn Tourbée France	3	3.317