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
	Les Brasseurs du Temps Messe de Minuit Canada	1	3.225
	Ne Kameraad Belgium	1	3.000
	Brasseur De Montréal Mère Noël Canada	1	3.175
	Delftse Kuyte Bier Netherlands	1	3.125
	De Koninck Cuvée 175 Belgium	1	3.075
	Forestinne Mysteria Belgium	1	3.000
	t Smisje Grande Reserva Belgium	1	2.925
	Valley Brew Uber Abbey CA, United States	1	3.250
	Alternatief Piet-Agoras Belgium	1	3.250
	Alternatief Eerwaarde Pater Belgium	1	3.200
	Saint Paul Blonde France	1	3.425
	Alvinne Bolleville Calvados Belgium	1	3.225
	Alvinne Melchior Bourgogne Barrel Oak Aged Belgium	1	3.125
	Kvajj Ho Ho Ho Denmark	1	3.000
	Søgaard Belgisk Stærk Ale Denmark	1	3.050
	Maltus Faber Birra di Natale Italy	1	3.075
	Mikkeller Nelson Sauvignon Un-barrel Aged Denmark	1	3.075
	Red Eye Tempt WI, United States	1	3.075
	Weyermann Belgian Golden Ale Germany	1	3.350
	Au Maître Brasseur Champenoise Impériale Canada	1	3.200