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
	Victory V-1009 PA, United States	2	3.120
	LeFort 10 Donker Belgium	1	3.050
	Ommegang Duvel Rustica NY, United States	1	3.275
	Heavyweight Lunicy NJ, United States	1	3.300
	Extraomnes Kerst (ik haat B. C.) Italy	1	3.075
	Grobbendonks Kerstbier Belgium	1	3.100
	Ole Slewfoot Friend of the Devil United Kingdom	1	3.075
	Verhaeghe Barbe Blonde Belgium	1	2.900
	New Belgium Tandem CO, United States	1	3.200
	Cressonnière De la Somme La Germinette de Noël France	1	3.225
	Oggi's Shock and Awe CA, United States	1	3.200
	CooperSmiths Razzmatazz Belgian Ale CO, United States	1	3.175
	Lambrate Sant Ambroeus Italy	1	2.900
	La Suzannaise Triple Blonde à la fleur de Sureau France	1	3.075
	Bellwoods Blitzen Canada	1	3.175
	dEcaussinnes La Loubecoise Belgium	1	3.250
	DuClaw Repent MD, United States	1	3.200
	Baladin Supper Bitter Italy	1	3.225
	Summit Unchained 04 Belgian Style Golden Ale MN, United States	1	3.125
	Bøevnovský Benedíct Svìtlý Special 20° Czech Republic	1	3.300