Page 1 of 1

Beer, 32% ABV

Posted: 19:39 Mon 22 Feb 2010
by jdaw1
The BBC, in a story entitled [url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/north_east/8380412.stm]'World's strongest' beer with 32% strength launched[/url], wrote:A controversial Scottish brewery has launched what it described as the world's strongest beer - with a 32% alcohol content.

Tactical Nuclear Penguin has been unveiled by BrewDog of Fraserburgh.

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

Managing director James Watt said a limited supply of Tactical Nuclear Penguin would be sold for £30 each.

He said: "This beer is about pushing the boundaries, it is about taking innovation in beer to a whole new level."

Mr Watt added that a beer such as Tactical Nuclear Penguin should be drunk in "spirit sized measures".

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

However Jack Law, of Alcohol Focus Scotland, described it was a "cynical marketing ploy" and said: "We want to know why a brewer would produce a beer almost as strong as whisky."

The beer has been launched on the day alcohol was at the top of the political agenda with the unveiling of the Scottish government's Alcohol Bill including proposals for minimum pricing on drink.

Meanwhile, BrewDog's plans for a new headquarters to produce millions of bottles of beer a year have been approved by Aberdeenshire Council.

The decision was taken at a full council meeting despite having been recommended for refusal by officers because the site at Potterton, near Aberdeen, is in the green belt.
I like the label.

Re: Beer, 32% ABV

Posted: 15:52 Tue 23 Feb 2010
by KillerB
They've gone further - in response to a German 40% beer Schorschbock thet have Sink the Bismarck at 41%

Re: Beer, 32% ABV

Posted: 09:24 Thu 25 Feb 2010
by meditek
Hmmm...41% = 80 degrees proof. Be more interested to hear from someone who's tasted it!

Re: Beer, 32% ABV

Posted: 10:25 Fri 26 Feb 2010
by KillerB
meditek wrote:Hmmm...41% = 80 degrees proof. Be more interested to hear from someone who's tasted it!
It had a tasting on 'The Wright Stuff" and the general consensus was that it was disgusting

Re: Beer, 32% ABV

Posted: 22:22 Sun 18 Apr 2010
by smisse
KillerB wrote:
meditek wrote:Hmmm...41% = 80 degrees proof. Be more interested to hear from someone who's tasted it!
It had a tasting on 'The Wright Stuff" and the general consensus was that it was disgusting
I've seen a documentary about these beers. It's actually a bit "easy" how they get to the extreme alcohol %. They slowly freeze the beer and then take off the layer of ice. SInce water freezes before alcohol, the beer becomes stronger and stronger.

Re: Beer, 32% ABV

Posted: 23:56 Sun 18 Apr 2010
by Glenn E.
smisse wrote:
KillerB wrote:It had a tasting on 'The Wright Stuff" and the general consensus was that it was disgusting
I've seen a documentary about these beers. It's actually a bit "easy" how they get to the extreme alcohol %. They slowly freeze the beer and then take off the layer of ice. SInce water freezes before alcohol, the beer becomes stronger and stronger.
Simultaneously removing much of the water soluable flavors. No wonder it is disgusting!

Re: Beer, 32% ABV

Posted: 03:13 Mon 19 Apr 2010
by KillerB
smisse wrote:
KillerB wrote:
meditek wrote:Hmmm...41% = 80 degrees proof. Be more interested to hear from someone who's tasted it!
It had a tasting on 'The Wright Stuff" and the general consensus was that it was disgusting
I've seen a documentary about these beers. It's actually a bit "easy" how they get to the extreme alcohol %. They slowly freeze the beer and then take off the layer of ice. SInce water freezes before alcohol, the beer becomes stronger and stronger.
Is that all? That sort of process that's been around for centuries to create a spirit without distillation. Particularly well known in the South West of England with cider, creating something that destroys motor-neurone function with each drop. I think I will leave this alone then.

Re: Beer, 32% ABV

Posted: 20:51 Tue 17 Aug 2010
by jdaw1
What KillerB said. Sounds terrible. Even the IVP has never sunk that low.

Re: Beer, 32% ABV

Posted: 15:10 Tue 05 Apr 2011
by RAYC
Tasted at the Crusting Pipe on 3 April 2011.

Nosing heavily of bovril and slightly reminiscent of a rauchbier, on tasting this proved to be completely undrinkable.

Not a clever use of £30.

Re: Beer, 32% ABV

Posted: 00:58 Thu 07 Apr 2011
by DRT
RAYC wrote:completely undrinkable.
Can we please enter this as understatement of the year?

Re: Beer, 32% ABV

Posted: 04:59 Thu 07 Apr 2011
by Andy Velebil
DRT wrote:
RAYC wrote:completely undrinkable.
Can we please enter this as understatement of the year?
Yeah. no kidding. While it was an experience to try it, it is one I hope to never repeat.

Re: Beer, 32% ABV

Posted: 15:52 Thu 07 Apr 2011
by jdaw1
Tactical Nuclear Penguin:
RAYC wrote:Not a clever use of £30.
Agreed.

Re: Beer, 32% ABV

Posted: 20:06 Fri 08 Apr 2011
by JacobH
Tasted of Marmite.

What surprised me is how this got such fantastic reviews everywhere in the Beer world. A strong example of label-bias, perhaps?

Re: Beer, 32% ABV

Posted: 03:53 Wed 19 Jun 2013
by mannye
In the states this is done with cider and called "apple jack." That's not beer, it's "barley jack". That kind of freezing leaves all the impurities behind as it takes out more and more water. Must taste like the bottom of a fermenter.