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
	The Bruery Trois Poules Francais CA, United States	2	3.500
	Sint Canarus Maeght van Gottem Belgium	2	3.340
	Lighthouse Big Flavour Series: Belgian Black Canada	2	3.360
	Titletown Midas Well WI, United States	2	3.140
	Alvinne Festina Lente Belgium	2	3.220
	Hornbeer Funky Monk Denmark	2	3.040
	Societe The Widow CA, United States	2	3.280
	Vintage DeVille WI, United States	2	3.280
	The Bruery Barrel Aged Batch 1 (Levuds) CA, United States	2	3.280
	Red Brick Winter Brew (2008) GA, United States	2	3.400
	FiftyFifty Collaborative Evil CA, United States	2	3.340
	Beyond The Pale Party Animal Canada	2	3.260
	Cigar City / Alesmith Dubbel Dare FL, United States	2	3.400
	Dormaal Winter Belgium	2	3.120
	Brooklyn Wild Streak NY, United States	2	3.220
	Gigantic Too Much Coffee Man OR, United States	2	3.380
	Avery Bad Sally CO, United States	2	3.300
	Ithaca Excelsior! White Gold NY, United States	2	3.320
	Wolf 8 Belgium	2	3.180
	Trader Joe's Vintage Ale 2010 Canada	2	3.120