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
	Praght Zware Blonde Netherlands	1	3.125
	Kessel Blond Belgium	1	3.075
	Abbaye de Gembloux Belgium	1	3.025
	Almond 22 Grand Cru Italy	1	3.125
	Bruuveri Valamo 1 Finland	1	3.050
	t IJ Extra Speciale Vlo Netherlands	1	3.075
	Halleschelle Belgium	1	3.025
	Darkside Fermentation Belgian Strong Golden TX, United States	1	3.225
	Darkside Fermentation Sirus Dubbel TX, United States	1	3.175
	Virklund Virklunder Rød Denmark	1	2.950
	Midnight Sun The New Black AK, United States	1	3.250
	Den Drupneuze Belgium	1	3.000
	Den Bras Belgium	1	3.125
	Brouwkot Tineke van Heule Belgium	1	3.000
	Den Mulder Belgium	1	3.175
	Kerstsmiske (2010 and later) Belgium	1	3.075
	Mikkeller Santas Little Helper 2009 Barrel Aged Denmark	1	3.125
	Freetail Figgy Puddin TX, United States	1	3.175
	La Barbiot Hibiscus Belgium	1	3.125
	Il Chiostro Nadir Italy	1	3.125