BrewDog Is At It Again
By Christopher McCollum
Our favorite controversial brewery is at it again, folks. BrewDog has announced their latest beer, which has just been placed into the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s strongest beer. Tactical Nuclear Penguin, rated at 32% ABV, began as an Imperial Stout at a hefty 10%, but was then aged in a cask for almost a year and a half, and then frozen at -4 degrees Fahrenheit, to increase the alcohol content.
BrewDog began gaining international attention after their recent snubbing of alcohol awareness groups in Great Britain, as they manufactured the Nanny State Pale Ale, at a whopping 1% ABV. This was done in response to the aforementioned groups raising a furor over BrewDog’s Tokyo beer, which was the strongest in Britain at almost 18%.
Tactical Nuclear Penguin almost doubles the Tokyo, and as expected, the watchdog groups have raised their alert level to DEFCON 1, and have blasted BrewDog with some pretty harsh language. Jack Law, Chief Executive of Alcohol Awareness Scotland, had this to say: ”It is child-like attention-seeking by a company that should be more responsible. The fact that they have achieved a new world record is not admirable.”
I, for one, have an obvious interest in this beer, and I would like to take a sip of a Guinness World Record holder that is stronger than many spirits. Indeed, as what is commonly agreed to be “spirits” are distilled beverages of higher than 20% ABV, one has to wonder if there should be a distinction on Tactical Nuclear Penguin, labeling this to be The Liquor of Beers.
Unfortunately, BrewDog is only putting out 500 bottles of the Penguin, and the price is starting at $50 USD. That may be the crimp on our style over here at Culture of Spirits, but maybe, by some chance, we will be able to luck our way into a taste of the world’s strongest beer. Here’s hoping!
Stay cultured and stay sophisticated, my friends. And if you do get your hands on a bottle of Tactical Nuclear Penguin, remember that you’re drinking a beer that is almost as rich in alcohol as some brands of rum and brandy. Be safe and responsible, and don’t give the alcohol awareness groups unnecessary ammunition to end the art of experimentation within brewing.
