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
	Stone 12.12.12 Vertical Epic Ale CA, United States	15	3.900
	Sterkens St. Sebastiaan Grand Reserve Belgium	14	3.670
	Allagash Victor ME, United States	14	3.629
	Lost Abbey Ten Commandments CA, United States	14	3.730
	Hapkin Belgium	14	3.758
	t IJ Columbus Netherlands	14	3.524
	Biere du Boucanier Red Ale Belgium	14	3.359
	Great Divide Belgica CO, United States	14	3.312
	Midnight Sun La Mâitresse du Moine AK, United States	14	3.876
	Victory Grand Cru PA, United States	13	3.518
	LeFebvre Hopus Belgium	13	3.344
	Hitachino Nest XH Japan	13	3.525
	Heavyweight Baltus O.V.S. NJ, United States	13	3.288
	Charlevoix Dominus Vobiscum Lupulus Canada	13	4.038
	t Smisje BBBourgondier Belgium	13	3.237
	Malheur Bière Brut Reserve Belgium	13	3.681
	Beatrix Netherlands	13	3.969
	Great Divide Grand Cru CO, United States	13	3.569
	Judas Belgium	12	3.500
	Silly La Divine Belgium	12	3.286