Question about Belgian Strong Pale Ales

Sure, but why? They don't improve. They don't fall off a cliff but they're a purchase, refrigerate, drink at earliest convenience beer.

 

Nah, I wouldn't stress it. But I wouldn't hold on to them looking for marked improvement, either.

Cheers

 

Depends on the beer. Belgian Strong Pale seems to be a 'I don't know what this beer actually is' category or 'This beer doesn't fit into any other category' for a lot of stuff on here. Stille Nacht is a BSPA on here and ages as well as anything. Bos Keun is from the same brewery and is also in the BSPA category here and doesn't cellar well.

 

I've had some good experience with cellaring them. E.g. Orval after a year makes an interesting comparison, more tamped down and rounded. I know that sounds like trying to improve on perfection but it makes for an interesting comparison. The De Dolle offerings mellow nicely. I might say the same of Dupont Moinette, esp. in 75cl. I suppose this is an easy thing for me to say because I have the luxury of being able to buy a case of Orval or whatever and throwing it into a corner of the cellar to temporarily forget about. The point is just, no pressure to consumer 'em all quickly or to be put off if you find something on a shelf with a bit of age on it. I like the results but it's a difference of degree, not of kind, knowhatamean.