I love mesquite on beef, especially. Personally, I don't find it "stronger" than hickory, just "different." Wood smoke flavor is so subjective! Everyone raves about apple wood smoke, but I don't like it. People say "hickory is too strong;" but, if I had only one wood I could ever smoke with again, it would be hickory! To me, it's BBQ, and what I grew up with!
The only way to judge ANY wood, is to try it yourself and decide. Opinions vary greatly, and only your palate can be the judge!