"Sink the Bismarck" - Scots brew beer with 41% alc.

[Syt]

BBC: Strongest beer title 'reclaimed with Sink the Bismarck'

A controversial Scottish brewery has said it has reclaimed the title of the world's strongest beer from German rivals - with Sink the Bismarck at 41%.

BrewDog, of Fraserburgh, made headlines last year when it unveiled a 32% beer called Tactical Nuclear Penguin.

However, Schorschbrau released the 40% strength Schorschbock.

BrewDog said its newly released 41%, Sink the Bismarck, would cost £40 for a 330ml bottle and would only be sold online.

Alcohol Focus Scotland had previously expressed concerns about BrewDog's approach.

Alcohol Focus Scotland chief executive Jack Law said: "Over the past few months BrewDog have continued to produce stronger and stronger beers.

"By commenting on this irresponsible brewing practice we only serve to add to their marketing and therefore we have no further comment to make."

But BrewDog's managing director James Watt said the company was doing all it could to promote a new and responsible approach to beer drinking.

He added: "Beer has a terrible reputation in Britain, it's ignorant to assume that a beer can't be enjoyed responsibly like a nice dram or a glass of fine wine. A beer like Sink the Bismarck should be enjoyed in spirit-sized measures."

BrewDog was previously branded irresponsible for an 18.2% beer called Tokyo, which it then followed with a low alcohol beer called Nanny State, then Tactical Nuclear Penguin.

[MadBurgerMaker]

Hm.  Wonder how it tastes.

[Vricklund]

Is that beer fermented to 41% and if so, how? Most yeast I know die around 15%. Beer is water, hops, barley and yeast. If you add alcohol it's not a beer.

[Agelastus]

Is that beer fermented to 41% and if so, how? Most yeast I know die around 15%. Beer is water, hops, barley and yeast. If you add alcohol it's not a beer.

Apparently, if I understand their website correctly, they freeze the beer for several weeks. I am uncertain that you could call it beer after that.

[Vricklund]

Heh. Distilling by freezing is smart. But still cheating.

[Caliga]

Apparently, if I understand their website correctly, they freeze the beer for several weeks. I am uncertain that you could call it beer after that.

Nope, you can't by any conventional definition.  This freezing process used to be how hard cider was "fortified", the resulting product being called applejack.  Unfortunately, it has a tendency to make people go blind, so it's not typically used any longer.    I would hope that these guys have better quality control (IIRC the cider problem was caused by concentrating small amounts of methanol).

[Caliga]

Is that beer fermented to 41% and if so, how? Most yeast I know die around 15%. Beer is water, hops, barley and yeast. If you add alcohol it's not a beer.

IIRC there are some strains of yeast that can survive up to about 17% alcohol.  You'd have to genetically engineer yeast to be able to live in a 41% alcohol brew.

[garbon]

Can I marry (unionize?) a Scotsman already?

[Syt]

Can I marry (unionize?) a Scotsman already?

Turned on by kilts much?

[derspiess]

Quite a feat.  I think the strongest Scotch Ale I ever had was the aptly-named SkullSplitter (8.5%)

[katmai]

I normally drink a few Dogfish and Avery brewing company beers that are from 15-21%

[garbon]

Turned on by kilts much?

Going commando.

[Syt]

Turned on by kilts much?

Going commando.

Well, kilts are manly.

[Razgovory]

Nothing is manlier then dressing up as a school girl with clown shoes.

[garbon]

Well, kilts are manly.

Plaid