Super-High Alcohol Beer Heads to the U.S. (32% alcohol-by-volume)

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Super-High Alcohol Beer Heads to the U.S.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20100411/us_time/08599197870500

By SEAN GREGORY Sean Gregory – Sun Apr 11, 11:35 am ET

Thanks to a war between European brewing companies, it's never been easier to catch a healthy beer buzz. Or get yourself totally sloshed. In November BrewDog, a Scottish microbrewery started three years ago, released a new brand, dubbed Tactical Nuclear Penguin. The beer set a new record by weighing in at a scary 32% alcohol-by-volume, over six times the strength of familiar domestic brands like Budweiser. As explained on a cheeky video on the company's website (warning: the clip contains simulated penguin sex), the brewery was able to attain such a high alcohol content for its product by freezing the beer at a local ice cream factory, at temperatures as low as -6 degrees, for 21 days. Alcohol freezes at lower temperatures than water, and removing water from the solution increased the alcohol concentration.

Jim Watt, one of BrewDog's co-founders, says that some 400 bottles of Tactical Nuclear Penguin are in the process of being shipped to a few stores in California and New York City, including a Whole Foods location; about half of the consumers buying beer from the BrewDog website are from the U.S. Watt's eyes are clearly fixed on the American market. "We're keen to push the envelope," says Jim Watt, one of BrewDog's co-founders, "and challenge people's perceptions of how beer can be enjoyed." (See pictures of Denver, Beer Country.)

A warning label on the Tactical Nuclear Penguin bottle does state: "This is an extremely strong beer; it should be enjoyed in small servings and with an air of aristocratic nonchalance. It is exactly the same manner you would enjoy a fine whisky, a Frank Zappa album or a visit from a friendly yet anxious ghost."

Some alcohol watchdog groups aren't laughing. The chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, Jack Law, has blasted BrewDog's high-alcohol products as "irresponsible," especially at a time when Scotland is experiencing "severe alcohol-related problems." In December BrewDog received a wrist-slap from a British alcohol regulatory body, the Portman Group, which ordered that retailers pull the company's 18.2% Tokyo beer brand off the shelves because of the its marketing tactics. A note on the Tokyo label says: "It is all about moderation. Everything in moderation, including moderation itself. What logically follows is that you must, from time, have excess. This beer is for those times." After the beer was pulled, BrewDog came out with a 1.1% alcohol by volume brew meant to tame the critics. Its name: Nanny State. (See how Americans are spending now.)

[tridim]

1. Perfect picture for the story. LMAO.

[Brickbat]

2. "A visit from a friendly yet anxious ghost" cracks me up.

[louis-t]

3. Aw, that's ALL we need.

:banghead: " Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, son."

[BurtWorm]

4. What a great idea to market that in the land of concealed carry.

:patriot:

Isn't the free market wonderful?

[paulsby]

33. yes, it is. some of like choice

others like the nanny state.

[BurtWorm]

38. I like dodging bullets from drunken tea partiers.

Woohoo!

:woohoo:

[paulsby]

40. have you been shot at?

i have. it's not fun

you have a weird idea of fun

[BurtWorm]

43. Thanks!

:toast:

[LanternWaste]

44. I'm coming to the conclusion that the term Nanny State...

I'm coming to the conclusion that the term Nanny State is little more than "a law I don't like..." Unless of course, one also determines that the USDA, Child Protective Services and LEO's are also part and parcel of that overly-dramatic term...

[paulsby]

47. no, it's actually quite simple

generally speaking, nannystate laws are those that attempt to protect us from OURSELVES

thus, for example, the war on drugs is part of the nannystate

[LanternWaste]

49. As is the USDA and Child protective Services and LEO's...

As is the USDA and Child protective Services and LEO's if one continues on that particular path of thought.

[paulsby]

52. not really

the USDA protects us from OTHERs (generally speaking) like those who provide tainted products that we don't know are tainted products

CPS, who i work with frequently, generally protect children from OTHERS who are abusing them or n eglecting them. also, children NEED nannys to protect them from themselves (as opposed to adults), because they are not yet fully responsible for their own actions

LEO's unfortunately have to work with the PENAL code. we don't MAKE nanny laws. the LEGISLATORS do

blame them. i do

examples of nannystate laws: the recent NYC proposed law banning use of salt in restaurant prep, banning transfats (ditto NYC), the WA law making online poker a C felony (while keeping casino poker in the state perfectly legal), the laws here in WA banning smoking in bars, etc. (consumers have a choice. don't like smoke, don't go to a bar that allows it. bar owners are also free to make their bars smoke free, and several have, prior to the legislation. choice: it's what's for dinner), the WAR AGAINST DRUGS, aspects of the war on DOMESTIC VIOLENCE where victims against their will are issued orders that prohibit certain others from contacting them (again, AGAINST their will . in those cases, it's nannystate), etc.

labeling is good. govt. laws that require labeling (nutrition, etc.) are good because they increase information, and allow BETTER choices, but don't limit choices.

[old mark]

5. I belonged to a private club in Allentown PA that imported Dortmunder

beer from Germany - not the Dortmunder available here, it was about 20% alcohol, similar to wine, but with a great beer flavor.
The problem with it- you drink it like regular beer,then fall flat on your face when you want to get off your bar stool.
It is a really great beer, though - the best I have ever had.


mark

[alfredo]

15. Check out Beer Advocate. they have great reviews of beers.

[old mark]

48. I appreciate it, but it's too late....

I no longer partake.



mark

[alfredo]

60. I limit myself to one bottle a night. Most often it is a half bottle.

[rfranklin]

6. I don't think it can be classified as beer...

It is actually more like carbonated hard liquor.

[Xithras]

12. I don't know about other states, but in California it's legally not beer.

In California, any beer over 3.9% alcohol has to be sold as an ale, malt, or stout. You can't call it beer.

[muriel_volestrangler]

20. What if it's a lager?

3.9% isn't that strong (for instance, Beck's brews a 4% ABV lager for those who want a beer that is a bit less alcoholic than their standard one, which is 5%). Are all the lagers called 'malts'?

[Xithras]

32. I only offered a few as an example.

There are a lot of things you can call it, "beer" just isn't one of them. And I was a little off on the percentage. It's actually 3.99%.

[Canuckistanian]

7. "but I only had one beer, officer"

And when that "one beer" is the equivalent of 4 or 5 beers, there'll be less incentive for cops to take people's word on their alcohol consumption.

[paulsby]

34. you are joking right

i'd say about 3/4 of the DUI's i arrest say "two beers" or "two drinks" or "a couple of drinks"

it's a cliche

i had a guy blow a .38 who claimed "two drinks"

[Canuckistanian]

57. But I said "one" beer

If someone says "a few beers", MY suspicions would be aroused, too.

[paulsby]

67. interestingly, they almost never say "one" or a "few"

it's always "two" or a "couple"

[jmowreader]

65. What he didn't tell you...

He considers a pint of Jim Beam to be one drink. It's all in the semantics of the thing...

[Hippo_Tron]

51. Officers don't take anybody's word for it anyway

If you say you've had a drink they sobriety test you anyway.

[Hippo_Tron]

8. Umm if you drink too much alcohol you will get drunk...

How exactly is this more dangerous than any other alcoholic beverage?

[Amerigo Vespucci]

11. Because you know SOME rocket scientist will say "it's only BEER..."

Seriously. People who are used to putting away a six-pack without blinking will attempt to do the same with this. I guarantee it.

:rofl:

[panader0]

9. I'll stick with Keystone Light

[sharp_stick]

18. Ewwwww n/t

[Cali_Democrat]

23. You really drink that stuff?

Yikes.

[Xithras]

10. I don't get the love for BrewDog

This beer company has an almost cult following in some circles. I love craft beers and had heard BrewDog glowingly reviewed several times, so I jumped when someone offered me a bottle of Punk IPA a few months ago. It was one of the most underwhelming beer drinking experienced I'd had in a while. Kind of like pine-flavored Budweiser.

Maybe their new tactic is to get their customers drunk before they realize that they're drinking the Calvin Klein of beers...very faddy and overpriced, but quality-wise no better than dozens of other brands on the market.

[KittyWampus]

14. the wonders of marketing and creating a buzz.

[alfredo]

13. Before you go there, try something like Bells Hopslam Ale.

It's 10.0 ABV. That's the same as drinking two regular beers.

Founders Barrel Aged Imperial Stout also comes in at 10.0 ABV Their breakfast stout is excellent, and comes in at over 8 ABV. It's seasonal, so you won't find it now.

Founders Centennial IPA is 7.2 ABV. (one of my favorites)

Barley Wines are also high in alcohol content.

[muriel_volestrangler]

16. The Scottish 'beer' is more expensive than a good single malt

I don't know how much the Germans are charging, but if it's in the same ballpark, this is pretty pointless.

[leftyladyfrommo]

17. Great. Now the rednecks in my neighborhood can get even drunker faster.

We are in for some pretty noisy Friday and Saturday nites around my house.

[sharp_stick]

19. As long as there is Everclear

available at the local liquor store at bargain basement prices there will not be a shortage of pissed up rednecks.

[piedmont]

61. At $75 a bottle? Are your rednecks in the Bush family? nt

[Ganja Ninja]

21. 32% = 64 proof

:puke: :hangover:

[Warpy]

22. I don't honestly think you can call that stuff "beer."

My own homebrew approached 12% alcohol, the point at which alcohol kills the yeast and you don't get carbonation. Two bottles of that stuff would land most people on their asses, while it took at least a sixpack of commercial brew to do it.

Once you tweak it by freezing it for 2 weeks and pouring the alcohol off, leaving much of the flavor behind, and artificially carbonate it, it's just not beer. It's lightly hop flavored wine.

[Warren DeMontague]

24. If they had had this when I still drank, I would have been all over it.

Seriously. People who want to drink, are going to drink. I agree with them about the Nanny State. Just let someone else drive you home.

[Viking12]

25. $35-$50 a bottle. I'll pass, thanks.

[NNN0LHI]

26. Now I can honestly tell the cop I only had two beers

Can't explain why I look all shitfaced?

Don

Edit: And if my memory serves me I think this was tried some years ago? Didn't go over well as I recall.

[WilliamPitt]

27. Awesome

:)

[rcrush]

28. But lets keep pot illegal

Cause this super strong beer is so obviously better for you.

[paulsby]

35. acutally, alcohol in moderation is good for you

abusing it otoh is not

but even the AMA (who always lies and stays years behind the science out of nanny concern...) is starting to admit that alcohol in moderation has BENEFITS to health

[rcrush]

36. So people are going to drink this beer in moderation?

[paulsby]

39. i suggest it will be like it is elsewhere

some will drink to excess

some will drink to moderation

i wonder if WA state knows about this stuff. this might send their nannystate engine (tm) into overdrive

otoh, they only like to really restrict poor people (see their proposed tax on beers that exempts microbrews) freedom, and since this 'beer' is expensive, they will probably leave it alone

nannystatism is for the downtrodden. gotta leave the yuppies alone

[Forkboy]

53. I plan on limiting myself to 10 bottles per night.

So there! :P

[jmowreader]

66. At $75 a bottle, you're damn right they will...

Samuel Adams makes something similar...theirs isn't carbonated, it's very high potency, and you drink it out of a brandy snifter.

[berni_mccoy]

29. It's not Beer anymore if it's got that much alcohol. Beer yeast can't DISTILL alcohol for hops sakes

Highest natural alcohol content from fermentation using yeast is around 14-15%.

Anything else must be distilled, which makes it a spirit or liquor afterward.

[izzybeans]

42. It looks like they experimented a bit here.

They didn't perform the typical fermentation, that's for sure.

http://www.brewdog.com/blog-article.php?id=214

[berni_mccoy]

45. Yep, aka freeze distillation. It's not technically distillation, but it's considered distillation.

[Lucian]

30. Where do I get one?

:)

[MilesColtrane]

31. It's gotta taste like crap.

[jgraz]

37. Thanks, I'll stick to my 140 proof bourbon

:beer:

[Forkboy]

56. Jesus, your liver just threw in the towel!

;)

[jgraz]

59. Hey, it's not like I start drinking before 10 am!

Well, not on weekdays at least... :D

Edit: *most* weekdays...

[Forkboy]

62. Well ok, as least as you're not getting carried away.

:D

[jgraz]

63. Hey, they don't have to carry me away until 2 or 3 in the afternoon.

[izzybeans]

41. My favorite part of craft beer culture is the

'f off you bloody up tight wanker' attitude of the brand managers and brew masters. Brew Dog is a giant middle finger in the air.

[Gold Metal Flake]

46. I'd be happy if I could just get real Newcastle in stores.

Instead of the thinner US-market stuff.

[nemo137]

50. So, a really aggressive Scottish eisbock?

I could go for that. If it weren't the price of multiple 6-packs of good Midwestern beers.

[piedmont]

54. Sam Adams Utopias has been around for a while, and it's high-alcohol

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Adams_%28beer%29

"Samuel Adams Utopias, which went on sale in February 2002, was claimed to be the strongest commercial beer in the world. The 2002 release contained 24% alcohol by volume, which has increased in subsequent vintages up to 27% ABV in the 2009 release. Utopias was preceded by Millennium, a single release brew made by Sam Adams in 1999, at 21% alcohol.

Utopias is made with caramel, Vienna, Moravian and Bavarian smoked malts, and all four varieties of noble hops: Hallertauer Mittelfrüh, Tettnanger, Spalter, and Saaz hops. The beer is aged in scotch, cognac and port barrels for the better part of a year.

The beer was packaged in a copper-finished kettle designed to resemble those used in the brewing process. 8,000 twenty-four-ounce bottles of Utopias were produced in all, with a suggested price of US$100 a bottle. The beer is considered by some to be more comparable to brandy, sherry, cognac or port than to other beers.

Because of legal restrictions, Samuel Adams Utopias is not offered in the states of Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington, or West Virginia. <10>

Utopias is still being made and have been released in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2009. Samuel Adams produced just 12,000 bottles for the 2007 holiday season.<11><12> Most recently, 53 barrels (approximately 9,000 bottles) were released in November 2009, at a suggested retail price of $150."

[hatrack]

55. Same way you make applejack - set the barrel of hard cider outside in November . . .

. . . (preferably in Vermont or New Hampshire), let it freeze as it must - from the outside in - then run a hot poker into the heart of the ice plug to tap into the remaining highly alcoholic liquid.

Problem is that the applejack is full of the fusel oils and other unpleasantries that would otherwise be blown off in a hot distillation process.

Applejack can be delicious, but the potential hangover is such that some of the old-timers called it "apple palsy".

[4lbs]

58. With that much alcohol and the price, I'd rather just drink tequila, whiskey, or rum.

I'd could buy 1.75 liters of tequila, whiskey, or rum for about $40 or less.

[jgraz]

64. Whaddya mean "or"??

:D

[paulsby]

68. lol nt

[ButterflyBlood]

69. Great! Unless you're some nanny statist teetoaler

The Europeans seem to be doing just fine with it.

[MadHound]

70. That's not beer, that's beer flavored liquor

I'd rather have something a little less potent that I can enjoy more of, but hey, to each their own.