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
	Gouden Carolus Hopsinjoor Belgium	22	3.584
	Malheur 12 Belgium	22	3.540
	St. Feuillien Cuvee de Noel Belgium	22	3.552
	Stone 03.03.03 Vertical Epic Ale CA, United States	22	3.760
	Malheur Brut Noir Belgium	21	3.792
	La Binchoise Speciale Noel Belgium	21	3.771
	Goose Island 1800 Demolition Ale IL, United States	21	3.412
	Unibroue 11 Canada	21	3.879
	Hoegaarden Forbidden Fruit Belgium	21	3.634
	Weihenstephaner / Samuel Adams Infinium Germany	20	3.496
	La Guillotine Belgium	20	3.378
	Lucifer (Vintages through 2008) Belgium	20	3.439
	De Proef Flemish Primitive Belgium	20	3.430
	Southampton Grand Cru Strong Ale NY, United States	20	3.761
	Bush Prestige (Scaldis Prestige) Belgium	19	3.918
	Augustijn Grand Cru Belgium	19	3.314
	Biere du Boucanier Blonde Ale Belgium	19	3.345
	La Caracole Saxo Belgium	19	3.705
	Struise Pannepot Grand Reserva Oak Aged Belgium	18	4.148
	Kasteel Blonde Belgium	18	3.447