BJCP 2021 / 26D
Belgian Dark Strong Ale
A strong, complex, dark Belgian ale with layered fruit and warmth.
- Ages well
- very high strength
- amber color
- top fermented
- western europe
Serve: 50 to 56F, Chalice or snifter
OG1.120
1.075 to 1.110FG1.030
1.010 to 1.024IBU120
20 to 35SRM40
12 to 22ABV14%
8.0 to 12.0%Taste it in order
Aroma
12 pts- Dark fruit: fig, plum, raisin
- Caramel, toast and chocolate
- Spicy yeast and warm alcohol
- Vague
- Fruity
- Better
- Dark fruit, caramel and alcohol
- Best
- Intense raisin, fig and plum with caramel and toast, light spice, warm sweet alcohol
Appearance
3 pts- Deep amber to dark brown
- Clear to bright
- Tan to off-white head
- Vague
- Dark
- Better
- Deep brown with a tan head
- Best
- Deep amber to dark brown, clear to bright, dense tan head with good retention
Flavor
20 pts- Rich dark fruit, caramel and toast
- Chocolate and spice
- Warming finish with a trace of sweetness
- Vague
- Rich
- Better
- Dark fruit, caramel and warmth
- Best
- Intense raisin, plum and caramel with chocolate and light spice, low bitterness, long warming finish
Mouthfeel
5 pts- Medium-full to full body
- Medium to medium-high carbonation
- Smooth, warming
- Vague
- Warm
- Better
- Full body and warm
- Best
- Medium-full to full body, smooth, noticeable warmth, medium carbonation
Overall Impression
10 ptsLifts it
- Complexity
- Hidden alcohol
Drops it
- Cloying sweetness
- Hot alcohol
Writing tip
Layer fruit, malt and spice. Example: 'Fig, plum and caramel with chocolate and warming alcohol. Complex and smooth.'
Pour these
- Rochefort 10Brasserie de RochefortDark fruit, chocolate and spice
- Abt 12St. BernardusRich fruit and caramel with warmth
- Grande Réserve (Blue)ChimayDark fruit and spice, creamy
Often confused with
- 26B Belgian DubbelDubbel is lighter and lower in alcohol
- 9A DoppelbockDoppelbock has lager cleanliness and no spicy yeast
Fine here
- Alcoholic: Strong warmth fits
- Estery: Dark-fruit esters belong
- Oxidized: A sherry note is tolerated with age
Ruinous here
- Solvent: Hot fusels
- Diacetyl: Butter
Style names, numbers and vital statistics follow the BJCP 2021 beer guidelines. Descriptions and example choices are our own. Check a beer is still made before you hunt for it.