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
	Berghoeve Vuurdoop Netherlands	1	2.925
	Les Brasseurs du Temps Brett de Hull Assemblage Sylvestre Canada	1	3.275
	Wild Heaven Serve Your Neighbor GA, United States	1	3.150
	Jopen St. Bavo Netherlands	1	3.000
	Four Quarters Brewing Sugar Plum Fairy VT, United States	1	3.150
	Cassel Brewery Cousin Eddie’s Canada	1	3.125
	Barley Island Damien IN, United States	1	3.125
	Social Fox Mighty Vox GA, United States	1	3.175
	Ole Slewfoot Prince of Peace United Kingdom	1	3.175
	Duvel Tripel Hop (2013) :Sorachi Ace Belgium	1	3.200
	Rørvig Christ Malte Denmark	1	3.075
	Kuhnhenn Simco Sillier MI, United States	1	3.175
	Mélusine Puy d'Enfer Triple France	1	3.075
	Alvinne Morpheus Dark Belgium	1	3.250
	New Belgium A.J. Winter Ale CO, United States	1	3.125
	Ægir Belgian Golden Ale Norway	1	3.250
	Dérochet Tempête Switzerland	1	3.025
	Flying Fish Vanilla Ice NJ, United States	1	3.250
	Le Baladin Super Sour Edition 2006 Italy	1	3.425
	Gainsbourg Cuvée Darling Canada	1	3.225