Quadrupel
A very strong, dark abbey-style ale with deep dark-sugar richness, fig/date/raisin notes, layered spice, and a full, warming finish. It is richer and darker than tripel, with more emphasis on dark fruit and caramelized depth.
Defined by high dark sugar concentration and elevated alcohol, producing rich dried fruit complexity without roast.
ABV, IBU and colour
This section summarises the typical alcohol strength, bitterness level and colour range of Quadrupel within the GBI model.
Taste profile
The sensory profile below shows the typical intensity range of the 15 core flavour dimensions.
Deep, warming, and full-bodied with pronounced dark fruit esters, caramelized sugar richness, elevated alcohol, and a long, integrated finish.
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What gives Quadrupel its character
These structural drivers help shape its characteristic sensory profile.
- Very high grist intensity provides abundant extract and fermentable material, strongly supporting higher gravity and alcohol strength alongside a fuller, sweeter body and longer finish.
- High crystal addition adds caramel sweetness, deep amber colour and round malt richness.
- High toast strongly deepens colour and increases toasted/melanoidin malt aroma.
- Belgian ale yeast contributes pronounced yeast-derived aroma, commonly including fruity esters and spicy or phenolic notes.
- Pilsner malt provides a pale grain base with relatively restrained malt aroma.
- Finings remove suspended yeast and protein, improving clarity.
- A medium priming rate contributes a moderate increase in natural carbonation.
- High attenuation converts more fermentable extract, tending to reduce residual sweetness and body while supporting alcohol formation and a drier finish.
- Low roast level adds a touch of colour and gentle coffee/chocolate notes with slight roast bitterness.
- A chloride-forward balance supports a fuller, slightly sweeter palate while softening perceived bitterness.
- Dark candi syrup increases OG and fermentability, slightly lightens body and adds subtle dark-sugar malt aroma.
- Dark crystal provides intense dark-caramel and dried-fruit character in the malt aroma.
- Melanoidin malt adds intense maltiness and strong melanoidin aroma.
- Strong fruity esters.
History
Quadrupel emerged within Belgian abbey brewing as an intensified evolution of darker monastic ales, brewed at very high gravity with dark sugars to achieve increased alcohol, richness, and aging potential.
How Quadrupel compares to other beer styles
This comparison shows meaningful differences in sensory ranges and style character based on the GBI data.
Quadrupel vs Dubbel
Compared with Dubbel, Quadrupel has:
- a darker color
- sweeter
- a fuller body
Other differences:
- The malt aroma range of Dubbel extends to lower intensities.
- Quadrupel can be more astringent.
- Dubbel can have a milder alcohol impression.
- Dubbel can have a shorter finish.
- Quadrupel has toffee malt notes; both styles have melanoidin and caramel malt notes.
- candi Sugar is part of the regular profile of Quadrupel, but optional for Dubbel.
Quadrupel vs Belgian Strong Golden Ale
Compared with Belgian Strong Golden Ale, Quadrupel has:
- a darker color
- more intense malt aroma
- sweeter
- less bitter
- a fuller body
- less carbonation
- a longer finish
Other differences:
- Quadrupel can be more astringent.
- Belgian Strong Golden Ale has floral and noble hop notes and can have spicy hop notes.
- Quadrupel has melanoidin, caramel and toffee malt notes, while Belgian Strong Golden Ale has honey-like and bready malt notes.
- Quadrupel is bottle-conditioned.
Compare Quadrupel with another beer style
Choose any GBI beer style to compare sensory ranges and style character.
Want to explore the underlying data in more detail? Compare styles in the GBI Explorer →
Style details
- Origin: Belgium — Originating from Belgian brewing traditions.
-
Glassware:
Goblet
— Wide-mouthed goblet or chalice often used for Belgian strong ales to showcase esters and carbonation.
Tulip — Stemmed tulip glass that concentrates aroma and supports a stable head; ideal for aromatic ales and Belgian styles. - Serving: Bottle — Served from bottle.
- Conditioning: Bottle-conditioned — Naturally carbonated in the bottle.
- Aging vessel: Stainless — Aged or matured in stainless steel.
- Packaging: Bottle — Packaged in bottle.
Commercial examples of Quadrupel
The following commercial examples illustrate widely recognised expressions of Quadrupel in the market.
- Rochefort 10
- St. Bernardus Abt 12
- Chimay Blue
Quadrupel – Competition winners and medalists
Medal winners for Quadrupel from major beer competitions. Categories follow each competition's official classification and may include stylistically adjacent interpretations.
2026 competition results
World Beer Cup 2026
Belgian-Style Quadrupel
- Gold – Quad Bless Your Heart – The Southern Growl Beer Co. , United States
- Silver – Pour Pour Pitiful Me – Monkless Belgian Ales , United States
- Bronze – La Trappe Quadrupel – Bierbrouwerij De Koningshoeven , Netherlands
Source: World Beer Cup ( official website )
Dutch Beer Challenge 2026
Zwaar donker/Quadrupel
- Gold – Derk met den Beer – Brouwerij Tanklokaal , Netherlands
- Silver – Poldermolenaar – Bierbrouwerij De Magistraat , Netherlands
- Bronze – Vrouwe van Gramsbergh – Mommeriete Brouwerij , Netherlands
Source: Dutch Beer Challenge ( official website )
2025 competition results 12 medalists
European Beer Star 2025
Belgian-style Strong Dark Ale
- Gold – Poldermolenaar – Bierbrouwerij De Magistraat , Netherlands
- Silver – Gouden Carolus Classic – Brouwerij Het Anker , Belgium
- Bronze – St-Feuillien Quadruple – Brasserie St-Feuillien , Belgium
Source: European Beer Star ( official website )
Great American Beer Festival 2025
Belgian-Style Strong Specialty Ale
- Gold – Just Friends – Big Dog's Brewing Co. , United States
- Silver – Kroon – Wallenpaupack Brewing Co. , United States
- Bronze – Qualified – Taxman Brewing Company , United States
Source: Great American Beer Festival ( official website )
World Beer Cup 2025
Belgian-Style Quadrupel
- Gold – Frosted Monk – RockSolid Brewing Co. , United States
- Silver – Traced in Air – Bartlett Hall , United States
- Bronze – Urbrew Adventure (Blue) Strong Dark Ale – Urbrew , China
Source: World Beer Cup ( official website )
Dutch Beer Challenge 2025
Zwaar donker/Quadrupel
- Gold – Zwentibold – Aspro Brews , Netherlands
- Silver – Drumlin 2024 – Dorpsbrouwerij Terheijden , Netherlands
- Bronze – Poldermolenaar – Bierbrouwerij De Magistraat , Netherlands
Source: Dutch Beer Challenge ( official website )
2024 competition results 3 medalists
European Beer Star 2024
Belgian-style Strong Dark Ale
- Gold – Qualified – Taxman Brewing Company , United States
- Silver – Gulden Draak Classic – Brouwerij van Steenberge , Belgium
- Bronze – La Trappe Quadrupel – Bierbrouwerij De Koningshoeven , Netherlands
Source: European Beer Star ( official website )
2023 competition results 3 medalists
European Beer Star 2023
Belgian-style Strong Dark Ale
- Gold – Dad Bod Quad – Firestone Walker Brewing Company , United States
- Silver – Qualified – Taxman Brewing Company , United States
- Bronze – Tesselaar Slufterbok – Tesselaar Familiebrouwerij Diks , Netherlands
Source: European Beer Star ( official website )