Belgian Strong Ale
Belgian Strong Ale
6522 beers | 3.739 Avg ScoreLike 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Avery Collaboration not Litigation Ale CO, United States | 28 | 3.690 |
| Unibroue 17 Canada | 28 | 3.832 |
 | Poperings Hommel Bier Belgium | 28 | 3.597 |
 | Malheur 10 Belgium | 27 | 3.563 |
 | De Dolle Boskeun Belgium | 27 | 3.860 |
| Barbar Belgian Honey Ale / Barbar Blonde Belgium | 26 | 3.572 |
| Stone 08.08.08 Vertical Epic Ale CA, United States | 25 | 3.479 |
 | Unibroue Seigneuriale Canada | 25 | 3.636 |
| DeuS (Brut Des Flandres) Belgium | 25 | 3.625 |
| Stone 05.05.05 Vertical Epic Ale CA, United States | 25 | 3.657 |
| Lagunitas Little Sumpin' Wild Ale CA, United States | 24 | 3.723 |
| Stone 10.10.10 Vertical Epic Ale CA, United States | 24 | 3.545 |
| Russian River Temptation CA, United States | 24 | 4.115 |
 | Troubadour Obscura Belgium | 24 | 3.581 |
| Stone 09.09.09 Vertical Epic Ale CA, United States | 23 | 3.893 |
| Brooklyn Local 2 NY, United States | 23 | 3.608 |
| Hitachino Nest Red Rice Ale Japan | 22 | 3.108 |
 | St. Feuillien Cuvee de Noel Belgium | 22 | 3.552 |
| Stone 03.03.03 Vertical Epic Ale CA, United States | 22 | 3.760 |
| Malheur 12 Belgium | 22 | 3.540 |