Malt aroma & flavor
Caramel, dark sugar and malty sweet flavors and aromas can be intense, but not cloying, and should complement fruitiness.
Belgian and French Origin Ale Styles
Belgian-Style Quadrupel
Ale · Amber to dark brown
What to expect
Caramel, dark sugar and malty sweet flavors and aromas can be intense, but not cloying, and should complement fruitiness.
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
16–36
Pale / strawBlack
Amber to dark brown · Illustrative colors on the shared, uneven SRM scale.
Explore styles overlapping this color rangeAlcohol · ABV
10.0–14.2%
Reference scale, not a limit on official guideline values.
Bitterness · IBU
25–50
Measured bitterness; perceived bitterness is described in the guideline below.
Brewers Association 2026 · Printed guideline page 25 · PDF page 34. Color graphics are illustrative.
The guideline, in detail
Official style attributes, including what may be present and what should be absent.
Hop aroma & flavor
Not present to very low
Perceived bitterness
Low to medium
Body & mouthfeel
Full with creamy mouthfeel
Clarity
Chill haze is acceptable at low temperatures
Color
Amber to dark brown
Fermentation characteristics
Perception of alcohol can be strong. Complex fruity attributes reminiscent of any of raisins, dates, figs, grapes, or plums are often present and may be accompanied by wine-like attributes at low levels. Clove-like phenolic flavor and aroma may be present at low to medium-low levels. Noticeable ester profile. Fusel alcohols should remain in balance and not overwhelm overall aroma and flavor. Diacetyl and DMS should not be present.
Additional guideline notes & competition context
Head should be dense and mousse-like. Quadrupels are well attenuated and are characterized by an intense alcohol presence balanced by other flavors, aromas and bitterness. They are well balanced with savoring/sipping-type drinkability.
Technical specifications, including gravity
Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.092-1.120 (22-28 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.014-1.020 (3.6-5.1 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 8.0%- 11.2% (10.0%-14.2%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 25-50 • Color SRM (EBC) 16-36 (32-72 EBC)