- Belgium
- Ale
- ABV = 7.5 – 10.5% (High to very high)^
- IBU = 22-35
- SRM = 3-6
A strong, highly-carbonated Belgian golden ale with significant fruity yeast flavour, hop character and a dry, bitter finish.
Strongly resembles Belgian Tripel, but often paler in colour, lighter-bodied and even crisper and drier; the drier finish and lighter body also serves to make the assertive hopping and yeast character of the Belgian Golden Strong Ale more prominent.
Appearance:
- Colour^ = Straw to gold
- Clarity = Good
Key Aromas & Flavours:
Aroma
- Malt = Low; slightly grainy-sweet to nearly neutral
- Yeast = High; fruity esters (pear, orange, apple) / moderate; spicy, peppery phenols / low to moderate; soft, spicy, perfumy alcohol
- Hops = Low to moderate; perfumy and floral
Flavour
- Malt = Low; grainy-sweet
- Yeast = Moderate; fruity esters (pear, orange, apple) / low; peppery phenols / low to moderate; soft, spicy alcohol notes
- Hops = Low to moderate; spicy
- Perceived Bitterness^ = Moderate
- Balance = Towards the fruity, spicy, alcohol flavours; bitterness (from hops and yeast-produced phenolics) does not overwhelm these flavours, as malt is there in support
Aftertaste/Finish
High carbonation and bitterness lead to a dry finish with a bitter aftertaste
Mouthfeel:
- Body = Light to medium
- Carbonation = Very high; effervescent
- Alcohol warmth = Smooth, but noticeable
Characteristic Ingredients/Processes:
- Malt = Pilsner malt, plus pale sugar syrup
- Yeast = Belgian ale yeast (that favours ester production, particularly pome fruit, over spicy phenols)
- Hops = Continental or English hop varietals (Saazer-type or Styrian Goldings hops are traditional)
- Process = Traditionally bottle conditioned (ie. refermented in the bottle)
Historical Development:
Originally developed by the Moortgat brewery after WWI as a response to the growing popularity of pale Pilsner-style lagers.
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: Duvel.
Commercial Examples:
Duvel, Delirium Tremens, Piraat
^Sourced from the Cicerone Certification Program’s International Certified Beer Server Syllabus.
All other information is sourced from the BJCP 2015 Style Guidelines.
