Beer Styles  »  Belgian Golden Strong Ale

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ABV: 7.5 - 10.5%    IBUs: 22 - 35    SRM: 3 - 6    OG: 1.070 - 1.095    FG: 1.005 - 1.016

A golden, complex, effervescent, strong Belgian-style ale.

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 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. No diacetyl.
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.
Marriage of fruity, spicy and alcohol flavors supported by a soft malt character. Esters are reminiscent of pears, oranges or apples. Low to moderate phenols are peppery in character. A low to moderate spicy hop character is often present. Alcohols are soft, spicy, often a bit sweet and are low-tomoderate 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. No diacetyl.
Very highly carbonated. Light to medium body, although lighter than the substantial gravity would suggest (thanks to sugar and high carbonation). Smooth but noticeable alcohol warmth. No hot alcohol or solventy character. Always effervescent. Never astringent.
Originally developed by the Moortgat brewery after WWII as a response to the growing popularity of Pilsner beers.
Strongly resembles a Tripel, but may be even paler, lighter-bodied and even crisper and drier. The drier finish and lighter body also serves to make the assertive hopping and spiciness more prominent. References to the devil are included in the names of many commercial examples of this style, referring to their potent alcoholic strength and as a tribute to the original example (Duvel). The best examples are complex and delicate. High carbonation helps to bring out the many flavors and to increase the perception of a dry finish. Traditionally bottle-conditioned ("refermented in the bottle").
The light color and relatively light body for a beer of this strength are the result of using Pilsner malt and up to 20% white sugar. Noble hops or Styrian Goldings are commonly used. Belgian yeast strains are used - those that produce fruity esters, spicy phenolics and higher alcohols - often aided by slightly warmer fermentation temperatures. Fairly soft water.

		Beer Name	Brewery	ABV	IBUs
	(0)	Holy Mackerel Special Golden Ale	Gordash Beer Co.	8.5%	---
	(0)	Leffe 9	Abbaye de Leffe S.A.	9.0%	---
	(0)	Six Degrees Belgian Golden Ale	Moon River Brewing Co.	6%	---
	(0)	La Bière Du Démon	Les Brasseurs de Gayant	12%	---
	(0)	Yeast Series: Belgian Ale	Mikkeller	8%	---
	(0)	Tidings	Port City Brewing	7.8%	---
	(0)	Confluence Ale	Allagash Brewing Co.	7.5%	---
	(0)	Yeast Series: Brettanomyces	Mikkeller	8%	---
	(0)	Brooklyn Local 1	Brooklyn Brewery	9%	---
	(0)	Mischeif	The Bruery	8.5%	35
	(3)	Belgian-Style Strong Golden Ale	Triangle Brewing Co.	8%	---
	(0)	Black & Blue	Dogfish Head Craft Brewery	10%	25
	(0)	The Mad Belgian	Mad River Brewing Co.	6.5%	---
	(0)	Homunculus	Smuttynose Brewing Co.	9.37%	---
	(0)	Horny Devil	AleSmith Brewing Co.	11.0%	---
	(0)	PranQster	North Coast Brewing Co.	7.6%	20
	(0)	Salvation	Avery Brewing Co.	9.0%	25
	(0)	Panic Attack	Gordash Beer Co.	10%	---
	(1)	Hades	Great Divide Brewing Co.	7.8%	---