Brews in this category can include just about any beer style imaginable including wheat beers, pale ales, stouts, porters, and more.

They must have a high alcohol content, usually considered to be 7.0 percent alcohol by volume and above. Some may even be as high as 25%. Characteristics for strong ales will greatly vary and some beers in this style have similarities to barley-wines and old ales. Barrel aging is certainly not out of the question.

Although any style of beer can be made stronger than the classic style guidelines, the goal should be to reach a balance between the style's character and the additional alcohol. The beer should not only be drinkable, but enjoyable as a sipping beer.