Tactical Nuclear Penguin - 'World's strongest' beer

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scot ... 380412.stm

Any place in the area going to get their hands on this?

Posted: Feb 18, 2010 - Deutsche Welle
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5259170,00.html

41 Percent Alcohol Beer Launched
Scottish brewer BrewDog edges Germany's Schorschbrau with the latest high-potency beer.

Having relinquished its claim as producing the world's strongest beer to German brewer Schorschbrau last year, Scottish brewer BrewDog has reclaimed the distinction with Sink the Bismarck, whose alcohol content is 41 percent.

BrewDog made headlines last year when it launched its 32 percent beer called Tactical Nuclear Penguin.
However, its notoriety was short-lived, as Schorschbrau released the 40 percent Schorschbock later that year.
...............
Sink the Bismarck will sell for £40 ($63 U.S.) for a 330ml bottle (11.1-oz.) and will be available online only. http://www.brewdog.com/product.php?id=47

$64 for 11 ounces? Sheesh.

http://www.brewdog.com/tactical_nuclear_penguin.php

The Antarctic name, inducing schizophrenia, of this Ÿber-imperial stout originates from the amount of time it spent exposed to extreme cold. This beer was initially double barrel aged for 14 months; maturing in the deep, rich oak of Scottish whisky casks. After this epic maturation the beer was then frozen, then frozen again, then frozen again.

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.

ABV: 32%
OG: 1092
Malts: Marris Otter, Dark Crystal, Caramalt, Chocolate Malt, Roast Barley
Hops: Galena, Bramling Cross
Twist: Frozen by Penguins for 3 weeks at an ice cream factory resulting in the world's strongest ever beer (ever)

[Robin Garr]

$64 for 11 ounces? Sheesh.

Yeah, but with that kind of alcohol, it will last for two weeks.

Or you could get a 1.75 liter (59 ounces) of higher proof liquor for less than $63 and it would last for more than 2 weeks. (For most people that is )

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.

All this talk about its alcohol content but nothing about the most important thing - is it any good?

If you were to enjoy this beer over a certain amount of time, then would it not go bad?

If you were to enjoy this beer over a certain amount of time, then would it not go bad?

That was my question as well. The cost also just seems prohibitive, no matter how long it lasts, and regardless of the alcohol content.

At 32% ABV, I would assume a proper "serving" size would be in the neighborhood of 4 ounces, meaning there are roughly 3 servings per bottle. Thus, the cost is approximately $22/serving. I realize that there are wines, liquors, and cordials out there that cost that much per serving, but for the most part, that is in restaurants.

For example, as a consumer, I can purchase a 750ml bottle of Pappy 23 year old for around $220.00. 750ml=25.4 ounces, and assuming a proper "serving" is 2 ounces, there are 12.7 servings/bottle, for a cost of $17.00/serving.

It would have to be REALLY good beer for me to consider paying more per serving than arugably the best bourbon ever crafted, not to mention the plethora of excellent liquors in the $50-$100 range, with a cost per serving ranging from $3.94 - $7.87. Also, that Pappy will last damn near forever, even after I open it.

Did I overanalyze this a bit? Yeah, probably.

Exhibitionism.

How about a keg of that for Gravity Head? I'd hate to see the cost on that bad boy!

The all-time record is $650 for 10 gallons of Ola Dubh aged in 40-yr Scotch barrels.

These beers are nothing more than glorified eisbocks and ice lagers. Repeatedly freezing and thawing a beer is bound to irreparably damage the flavor.

Regardless, if you're going to use cold to distill a beer, why not just use heat and call it by its true name: liquor.


Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Sam Adams' Utopia didn't use freeze distillation to hit 27%. I think they just had a particularly robust high-gravity yeast strain. The art comes from nurturing and growing a special yeast, not freezing your beer.

I say pox upon the whole enterprise.

The all-time record is $650 for 10 gallons of Ola Dubh aged in 40-yr Scotch barrels.

Nevertheless, it was well worth it. I had a 4 oz of it last year, and the experience was enlightening to say the least. That's the most per ounce I've ever spent on beer.