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Session strength ales

Belgian session ales

"Belgium is famed for its stronger ales, but also has a smaller heritage of lighter ones.  Given its brewers' reputation for inventiveness, the current vogue for lighter but tastier styles seems guaranteed to lead to…"
Belgium is famed for its stronger ales, but also has a smaller heritage of lighter ones.  Given its brewers’ reputation for inventiveness, the current vogue for lighter but tastier styles seems guaranteed to lead to more varieties emerging in the coming years.

Spéciale or Speciaal (Belgian pale ale)

A soft, gentle form of pale ale (4.8-5.5% ABV) in which hopping is typically low and spicing is absent, lacking the Belgian tendency to challenge while retaining the principle of balance.  Its origins are obscure but it was boosted in the early 1900s – some brands using the date 1900 in their names.

See also: Witbier, Saison Légère, Grisette


The Oud Arsenaal beer café in Antwerp, Belgium is a cosy place for enjoying a glass or two of Spéciale, and a variety of other beer styles.  (photo: André Brunnsberg)

About the Author

Tim Webb

The lead author and curator of The Beer Styles of Europe and beyond is Tim Webb, co-author of The World Atlas of Beer.

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