Belgian Golden Strong Ale - The 6 Pack

This is The Beer Scholar 6-Pack podcast episode where we discuss six quick topics, mostly about beer. One is always a full breakdown of a classic beer style, one is the week's beer headlines, and one is office hours where I answer audience member questions. In this first episode we talk Belgian Golden Strong Ale.

Office Hours: Finding Local Beer Examples

One of the most common questions from Cicerone exam students is: "How do I find commercial examples of BJCP-listed classic styles if they're not available locally?"

The answer is simple: ask other beer people in your community. Reach out to local breweries, bottle shops, and beer bars. Post in beer forums and Discord servers. People in the beer community are genuinely helpful and love sharing rare finds and hard-to-get styles.

You can also order online from specialty retailers, trade with friends, or attend beer festivals where you might sample many styles in one place.

Beer Headlines: North American Guild of Beer Writers Awards

The NAGBW announced their annual awards for excellence in beer writing. This year saw some fantastic entries recognizing great beer journalism, podcasts, and content from across North America.

Belgian Golden Strong Ale Style Breakdown

Belgian Golden Strong Ale is a classic Belgian style with a rich history. The style is characterized by:

• ABV: 7.5–10.5%
• Color: Pale to golden yellow
• Bitterness: 20–40 IBU
• Key Characteristics: High alcohol, crisp, dry finish, spicy/peppery phenolic notes from Belgian yeast
• Aroma & Flavor: Fruity esters (pear, citrus, sometimes stone fruit), spicy phenolic character, minimal hop aroma, crisp malt character
• Mouthfeel: Highly carbonated, crisp, dry

Notable Example: Duvel

Duvel is perhaps the quintessential example of this style. At 8.5% ABV, it's pale golden, highly carbonated, and displays the characteristic fruity-spicy character of Belgian yeast. Despite its high alcohol content, it drinks light and crisp due to excellent attenuation and minimal residual sweetness.

Tasting Notes

When tasting a Belgian Golden Strong Ale:

• Look for a pale golden color with excellent clarity
• Expect a thick, persistent head from high carbonation
• Nose should show fruity esters (pear, citrus) with subtle spicy phenolic notes
• Flavor should be crisp, dry, and clean with fruit and spice balanced by minimal malt sweetness
• The finish should be completely dry
• High carbonation contributes to the crisp mouthfeel

Bonus Content

In this episode we also discuss: - Anime recommendations - Randy Mosher's upcoming book on sensory science and beer - Lithuanian Olympics beer history