Scottish Brewer Unveils World's Strongest Beer - Stronger Than Whiskey, Gin, or Absinthe
It is commonly said that the Mayan calendar registered December 21, 2012 as the end of the world, so it is fitting that the new world's strongest beer is named Armageddon. Created by a Scottish brewery, the beer is 65 percent alcohol by volume. For comparison, the average beer in the United States is between 2 to 12 percent alcohol by volume, though it depends on the manufacturer. Even whiskey holds a comparatively paltry 55 percent ABV at the most.
According to the Brewmeister website, "[ingredients] include crystal malt, wheat, flaked oats and of course 100% Scottish spring water."
The ABV is enhanced through a process called freeze fermentation. The Drinks Business explains that means that the beer is cooled to zero degrees Celsius while it is being brewed; while the water freezes, the alcohol does not. The ice is then removed from the beer, which leaves the drink extremely strong.
John Mackenzie, the production director of the brewery, described the drink to reporters as having a "viscous quality to it".
The website adds: "Despite being 65%, the beer has a lot of flavour - malty, hoppy, slightly sweet and lots of yeast still in the beer. Be careful though, smelling it is probably enough to put you over the limit!"
Armageddon appears to be the latest in a long line of breweries attempting to outdo one another in the creation of stronger and stronger beers, each with fascinating names. Three years ago, the manufacturer Brew Dog debuted Tactical Nuclear Penguin, which had an ABV of 32 percent. This arrival spearheaded an ABV war between the brewery and the German brewer Schorschbräu. In 2010, the Dutch company unveiled its own beer, which had the less exciting name of Start the Future but did have an ABV of 60 percent. That was the strongest beer for two years until Armageddon knocked the drink off its pedestal.
Brewmeister will debut their beer at the Inverness Beer Festival next week on November 3. The brewers recommend drinking the beverage like a brandy, in small quantities.
The beer is not available in the United States, but intrepid customers can purchase the product on their website.