Row Brewing Over Britain's Strongest Beer (18.2% alcohol)

[Blue_Tires]

Health campaigners have called for a review of the alcohol industry after a Scottish brewery launched Britain's strongest beer.

The beer, called Tokyo*, has an alcohol content of 18.2%, meaning a single pint would contain 12 units, equivalent to a full bottle of wine.

But its creators have sparked fury among alcohol charities by saying it will "help alleviate the country's irresponsible binge drinking culture".

Sarah Matthews from the British Liver Trust said the organisation was appalled by the new drink.

"I do not understand the point they are trying to make in terms of allieviating binge drinking," she said.

"All we can see is that it will add to the binge drinking culture. They are promoting the high ABV which they should not be allowed to do.

"It is completely irresponsible and a real worry.

"It highlights the need for a mandatory code for the alcohol industry to prevent irresponsible drinks promotions such as this."

But James Watt, who founded the independent brewery BrewDog, is dismissive of the concerns.

"We want to change the perception towards beer and show a different side to the multinational corporations," he told Sky News Online.

"People that criticise us have no understanding of our brand or our customers.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Britains-Strongest-Beer-Tokyo-From-BrewDog-Condemned-By-British-Liver-Trust/Article/200907415347202?lpos=UK_News_Second_UK_News_Article_Teaser_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15347202_Britains_Strongest_Beer%3A_Tokyo*_From_BrewDog_Condemned_By_British_Liver_Trust

[seemunkee]

1. Poor choice of marketing points

But so what if the content is that high. I brewed a 21% beer a couple of years ago and going to give it another go in the fall.

[mysuzuki2]

5. How did you handle that much grain or extract?

[seemunkee]

6. Sugar

Added small amounts of sugar each morning and evening for 3 weeks. I screwed up and added too much at one time and killed the yeast, it should have finished at 24%.
I was using a clone recipe for DFH 120. Next time I'm going to not get impatient and also add more hops to counter act the sweetness.

[Rambis]

2. I have had a 21%

It tasted a bit like champers and I shared it with three people. Good, but nothing I would drink on a regular basis.

[arbusto_baboso]

3. BrewDog does stuff like this.

Watt likes to stick his thumb in the eye of political correctness, in whatever form.

Besides, it will help him sell his beer here in the US, which is his major market anyway, NOT the UK!

[Initech]

4. I've had a 24% alcoholic beer.

Sam Adams Utopia. :beer:

[Moondog]

7. I saw a bit about Utopia on a History Channel

show about beer and brewing. What, pray tell, does it taste like? Can you describe it?

[Initech]

11. It honestly tastes more like a brandy than an ale.

It was pretty good from what I remember - although I was completely wasted at the time I tried it!

[arbusto_baboso]

12. Have you ever tried their triple bock?

That's about 17.5% ABV. Also tastes more like a rich sherry than a beer.

[Initech]

21. Haven't had that one, I have had and really like the chocolate bock.

[arbusto_baboso]

13. Have you ever tried their triple bock?

That's about 17.5% ABV. Also tastes more like a rich sherry than a beer.

[Moondog]

14. Sounds interesting. As does the Triple Bock. I'll keep an eye out for both.

[arbusto_baboso]

16. Neither is made anymore, but the triple bock is cheaper when you can find it.

I lucked into finding a half dozen bottles at BevMo for $5 each.

[Moondog]

17. Well, that's pretty much par for the course.

"It" is forever out of stock, out of business, gone, kaput, been replaced with a newer (lesser) model, etc, etc. But I'll keep an eye out anyway; I might get lucky and stumble across it.

[arbusto_baboso]

18. Ebay is always a possibility, too.

You may have to shell out some real ducats, though.

[seemunkee]

9. Love to try that sometime

But can't bring myself to pay the price.

[B3Nut]

15. WANT!!!!

That looks yummy!

[pokerfan]

8. Who goes to Scotland to drink beer?

or wine? :shrug:

[arbusto_baboso]

10. Sure, single malt is sublime, but have you ever HAD a wee heavy?

Emperor Franz Josef of Austria once referred to wee heavy ales as "the Burgundy of Scotland" and preferred it to the beer or wine of the German speaking regions.

Scottish beer is DAMN good!

[pokerfan]

19. I might have to try it

...preferred it to the beer <...> of the German speaking regions.

But I will have you know that those be fightin' words.

[arbusto_baboso]

20. German and Scottish beers are just very different from one another.

Comparing really is a matter of personal tastes. Both have their virtues and followers.