Malt aroma & flavor
Malt character is low to medium. A complex fruitiness is often present.
Belgian and French Origin Ale Styles
Belgian-Style Strong Blonde Ale
Ale · Straw to light amber
What to expect
Malt character is low to medium. Hop character: Medium-low to medium-high.
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
2–7
Pale / strawBlack
Straw to light amber · Illustrative colors on the shared, uneven SRM scale.
Explore styles overlapping this color rangeAlcohol · ABV
7.1–11.2%
Reference scale, not a limit on official guideline values.
Bitterness · IBU
20–50
Measured bitterness; perceived bitterness is described in the guideline below.
Brewers Association 2026 · Printed guideline page 23 · PDF page 32. Color graphics are illustrative.
The guideline, in detail
Official style attributes, including what may be present and what should be absent.
Hop aroma & flavor
Medium-low to medium-high
Perceived bitterness
Medium-low to medium-high
Body & mouthfeel
Low to medium
Clarity
Chill haze is acceptable at low temperatures
Color
Straw to light amber
Fermentation characteristics
Medium to medium-high fruity esters are present. Yeast-derived phenolic spicy flavors and aromas should be present at low to medium-low levels. Fusel alcohols should remain in balance and not overwhelm overall aroma and flavor. Diacetyl should not be present.
Additional guideline notes & competition context
These beers are often brewed with light-colored Belgian candy sugar. Herbs and spices are sometimes used to delicately flavor these strong ales. These beers can be malty in overall impression or dry and highly attenuated. They can have a deceptively high alcohol character and a relatively light body for beers of high alcoholic strength. Some versions may be equally high in alcohol with a more medium body.
Technical specifications, including gravity
Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.064-1.096 (15.7-22.9 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.008-1.018 (2-4.5 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 5.6%-8.8% (7.1%-11.2%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 20-50 • Color SRM (EBC) 2-7 (4-14 EBC)