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
	Russian River Salvation CA, United States	27	3.833
	Samuel Adams Imperial Series Imperial White MA, United States	27	2.994
	Barbar Belgian Honey Ale / Barbar Blonde Belgium	26	3.572
	Unibroue 17 Canada	26	3.852
	DeuS (Brut Des Flandres) Belgium	25	3.625
	Stone 08.08.08 Vertical Epic Ale CA, United States	24	3.463
	Stone 05.05.05 Vertical Epic Ale CA, United States	24	3.652
	Malheur 10 Belgium	24	3.552
	Lagunitas Little Sumpin' Wild Ale CA, United States	24	3.723
	Unibroue Seigneuriale Canada	24	3.641
	Troubadour Obscura Belgium	24	3.581
	De Dolle Boskeun Belgium	24	3.867
	Gouden Carolus Hopsinjoor Belgium	22	3.584
	Hitachino Nest Red Rice Ale Japan	22	3.108
	Sterkens St. Sebastiaan Dark Belgium	22	3.564
	Malheur Brut Noir Belgium	21	3.792
	Goose Island 1800 Demolition Ale IL, United States	21	3.412
	Stone 09.09.09 Vertical Epic Ale CA, United States	21	3.925
	Hoegaarden Forbidden Fruit Belgium	21	3.634
	St. Feuillien Cuvee de Noel Belgium	21	3.584