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
	Malheur 12 Belgium	18	3.514
	Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza MI, United States	17	3.680
	Lost Abbey Inferno CA, United States	17	3.475
	Kerkom Winterkoninkske Belgium	17	3.655
	De Koninck Cuvee Belgium	17	3.405
	t IJ Struis Netherlands	16	3.600
	Satan Red Belgium	16	3.374
	Het Kapittel Prior Belgium	16	3.468
	Allagash Odyssey ME, United States	16	3.774
	Augustijn Grand Cru Belgium	16	3.416
	Weyerbacher Prophecy PA, United States	16	3.374
	Mikkeller It's Alive Denmark	16	3.742
	Biere du Boucanier Dark Ale Belgium	15	3.606
	Allagash Hugh Malone Ale ME, United States	15	3.356
	Satan Gold Belgium	14	3.441
	t IJ Columbus Netherlands	14	3.524
	Vondel Flemish Brown Ale Belgium	14	3.541
	Dubuisson Cuvee des Trolls Belgium	14	3.206
	Sterkens St. Sebastiaan Grand Reserve Belgium	14	3.670
	Hapkin Belgium	14	3.758