×
AD BLOCKER DETECTED:

We provide beer recipes and other content to you for free. Instead of charging you, we charge our advertisers. Without ads, we will not survive. Beerrecipes.org has been supporting homebrewers since 2002 with quality beer recipes, style guides and other content. Please help us continue by switching off your ad blocker. Learn more...

For the best experience, Login or Register for more features.  Favorites, write reviews, get notifications of new recipes, and more.

BJCP 2008 Guideline

Belgian Strong Ale - Belgian Dark Strong Ale

BJCP 18E

BJCP 2008 18E Belgian Dark Strong Ale style example
18E - Belgian Strong Ale / Belgian Dark Strong Ale

 

IMPRESSION

A dark, very rich, complex, very strong Belgian ale. Complex, rich, smooth and dangerous.

COMMENTS

Authentic Trappist versions tend to be drier (Belgians would say "more digestible") than Abbey versions, which can be rather sweet and full-bodied. Higher bitterness is allowable in Abbey-style beers with a higher FG. Barleywine-type beers (e.g., Scaldis/Bush, La Trappe Quadrupel, Weyerbacher QUAD) and Spiced/Christmas-type beers (e.g., N'ice Chouffe, Affligem Nöel) should be entered in the Belgian Specialty Ale category (16E), not this category. Traditionally bottle-conditioned ("refermented in the bottle").

EXAMPLES

Westvleteren 12 (yellow cap), Rochefort 10 (blue cap), St. Bernardus Abt 12, Gouden Carolus Grand Cru of the Emperor, Achel Extra Brune, Rochefort 8 (green cap), Southampton Abbot 12, Chimay Grande Reserve (Blue), Brasserie des Rocs Grand Cru, Gulden Draak, Kasteelbier Bière du Chateau Donker, Lost Abbey Judgment Day, Russian River Salvation

You can view the complete style details on the BJCP website. The 2008 style guide is obsolete but there is a similar 2015 style that you can view below...

View Style on BJCP Website

VITAL

OG: 1.075-1.110
FG: 1.010-1.024
IBU: 20-30
SRM: 12.0-22.0
ABV: 8.0-11.0%

BJCP 2008 18E Belgian Dark Strong Ale style example
spacer