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
	Il Chiostro Zenit Italy	1	3.075
	Biere du Moulin Extra Italy	1	3.125
	Diaouligs Olde Breizh La Bière des Corsaires France	1	3.100
	Trentatre Bruna Italy	1	2.900
	Toccalmatto Noel du Sanglier Italy	1	3.075
	Toccalmatto Grand Cru Italy	1	3.175
	Qvänum Havre Ale Sweden	1	3.125
	Stillwater Import Series Vol. 3 Jaded Belgium	1	3.250
	Real Ale Mysterium Verum Volume XIV TX, United States	1	3.275
	La Nogentaise Ambrée France	1	3.200
	Lompoc Living Proof Ale OR, United States	1	2.925
	Forestinne Gothika Belgium	1	3.125
	Frederiksodde Hr. Jørgensen Denmark	1	3.100
	Skands Julerød Denmark	1	2.975
	New Belgium Metric 10/10/10 CO, United States	1	3.200
	Crabtree 5 Anniversary Ale CO, United States	1	3.325
	Big Boss Monkey Bizz-Ness NC, United States	1	3.125
	Verhaeghe Barbe Rouge Belgium	1	3.075
	Svaneke Jule Spektakel Denmark	1	3.025
	Beer Here/Raasted Bukkake Denmark	1	3.050