Overview for the Belgian Strong Pale Ale

The Belgian Strong Pale Ale was originally crafted by the Moortgat brewery after World War I as an alternative to the popular European Pilsner beers. Its color is a yellow gold with good clarity and visibly effervescent. Its aroma consists of fruity esters, some spice, and low to moderate amounts of hops and booze. The palate follows the nose with fruity flavors of pear, orange, and apple. Bitterness and spice are low to moderate. Its feel is light to medium, highly carbonated with a dry finish. High alcohol lends warmth. The Belgian Strong Pale Ale is similar to the Belgian Tripel but is lighter in color and feel, drier and crisper, with added hopping and fruity esters.

Style Expectations

A pale, complex, effervescent, strong Belgian-style ale that is highly attenuated and features fruity and hoppy notes in preference to phenolics.

Appearance

Yellow to medium gold in color. Good clarity. Effervescent. Massive, long-lasting, rocky, often beady, white head resulting in characteristic Belgian lace on the glass as it fades.

Aroma

Complex with significant fruity esters, moderate spiciness and low to moderate alcohol and hop aromas. Esters are reminiscent of lighter fruits such as pears, oranges or apples. Moderate to moderately low spicy, peppery phenols. A low to moderate yet distinctive perfumy, floral hop character is often present. Alcohols are soft, spicy, perfumy and low-to-moderate in intensity. No hot alcohol or solventy aromas. The malt character is light and slightly grainy-sweet to nearly neutral.

Flavor

Marriage of fruity, spicy and alcohol flavors supported by a soft malt character. Esters are reminiscent of pears, oranges or apples. Low to moderately low phenols are peppery in character. A low to moderate spicy hop character is often present. Alcohols are soft and spicy, and are low-to-moderate in intensity. Bitterness is typically medium to high from a combination of hop bitterness and yeast-produced phenolics. Substantial carbonation and bitterness leads to a dry finish with a low to moderately bitter aftertaste.

Mouthfeel

Very highly carbonated; effervescent. Light to medium body, although lighter than the substantial gravity would suggest. Smooth but noticeable alcohol warmth. No hot alcohol or solventy character.

Reviews

Easy Seas

Belgian Strong Pale Ale  •  Ballast Point Brewing Company

Easy Seas is a Belgian-style Strong Pale Ale by Ballast Point Brewing Company whose mimosa-like palate features oranges and white wine yeast. Read More

Panic Attack

Belgian Strong Pale Ale  •  Holy Mackerel Small Batch Beers

Panic Attack, a Belgian-style Strong Pale Ale by Holy Mackerel Small Batch Beers blends pear, peach, caramel, and bready malt with floral hops and cinnamon. Read More

Old Soul Belgian-style Ale

Belgian Strong Pale Ale  •  Crazy Mountain Brewing Company

Old Soul Belgian-style Ale, a Belgian-style Strong Pale Ale by Crazy Mountain Brewing Company blends wheat and spices with juniper berry and candied sugar. Read More

Super Bitter

Belgian Strong Pale Ale  •  Birrificio Le Baladin

Super Bitter, a Belgian-style Strong Pale Ale by Birrificio Le Baladin that blends toasty bread, yeast, nut with citrus, piney hops, and lemon tea. Read More

Bernard Bohemian Ale

Belgian Strong Pale Ale  •  Bernard Family Brewery

Bernard Bohemian Ale, a Belgian-style Strong Pale Ale by Bernard Family Brewery is robust and complex with fruits, spices, hops, cracker, and yeast. Read More

Lune De Miel

Belgian Strong Pale Ale  •  Unibroue

Lune De Miel, a Belgian-style Strong Pale Ale by Unibroue is dry and lively with a complex palate of fruit, yeast, hops, and grain. Read More

Mischief

Belgian Strong Pale Ale  •  The Bruery

Mischief is a Belgian-style Strong Pale Ale by The Bruery that’s light in character but brings big, complex flavor to the palate. Read More

Hoppy Belgian-style Golden Ale

Belgian Strong Pale Ale  •  Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.Duvel Moortgat

Hoppy Belgian-style Golden Ale is a Belgian-style Strong Pale Ale by Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and Duvel Moortgat that brilliantly blends citrus hops and yeast. Read More

Game of Thrones: Bend the Knee

Belgian Strong Pale Ale  •  Brewery Ommegang

Game of Thrones: Bend the Knee is a Belgian-style Strong Pale Ale by Brewery Ommegang that has a lively feel, fruity esters, and biting noble hops. Read More

Gnomegang Blonde Ale

Belgian Strong Pale Ale  •  Brewery OmmegangBrasserie d’Achouffe

Gnomegang Blonde Ale, a Belgian Strong Pale Ale by Brewery Ommegang and Brasserie d’Achouffe brilliantly blend fruity sweetness with spices and yeast. Read More

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