Which beer has the highest alcohol content?

November 23, 2025 •

5 min read

Brewmeister's Snake Venom, with an ABV of 67.5%, has long held a prominent place among the strongest beers in the world. The question of which beer has the highest alcohol content is a fierce, contested title in the world of extreme brewing, where craft brewers push the boundaries of fermentation and freeze-distillation.

Quick Summary

A guide to the world's highest alcohol content beers, examining the brewing techniques and intense competition that have produced record-breaking brews. Reviews legendary contenders like Snake Venom and explores the brewing methods behind their extreme potency.

Key Points

Snake Venom is the widely cited winner: The Scottish Brewmeister Snake Venom is currently considered the strongest beer, reaching an impressive 67.5% ABV through a process of freeze-distillation and fortification.
Brewing high-ABV beer is an extreme process: The extremely high alcohol content is not achieved by simple fermentation but by using techniques like freeze-distillation, which concentrates the alcohol after fermentation is complete.
A history of ABV competition exists: The title of the world's strongest beer has been a contested one, with breweries like BrewDog and Schorschbräu engaging in an 'ABV war' over the years with their extreme releases.
Freeze-distillation has its critics: The use of freeze-distillation and fortification is debated by purists who argue that the final product, which is often more like a spirit, falls outside the traditional definition of beer.
Extreme beers should be consumed with caution: The potency of these brews means they should be treated like a spirit, enjoyed responsibly in very small measures, with many breweries including warnings on their labels.
More accessible strong beer styles exist: For those interested in high-ABV beers without venturing into the extreme, popular styles include Barleywines (8-12% ABV), Russian Imperial Stouts (10-12% ABV), and Belgian Quadrupels (10-13% ABV), all of which are widely available.

The Quest for the Strongest Brew

For decades, craft brewers have engaged in an unofficial 'ABV war,' constantly pushing the limits of what's possible with traditional brewing methods. While the average beer sits comfortably between 4% and 6% ABV, a select few have ventured into uncharted territory, creating potent, spirit-like brews through unconventional techniques. The highest alcohol content is typically achieved not by simple fermentation alone, but by employing a process known as freeze-distillation, which concentrates the alcohol by removing ice crystals from the fermented liquid.

How Extreme Brewing Works

To understand the potent brews, one must first grasp the science behind high-gravity fermentation and freeze-distillation. Normal brewing relies on yeast to convert fermentable sugars from malted barley into alcohol. As the alcohol percentage rises, it becomes toxic to the yeast, which limits how high the ABV can get naturally. Brewers looking to exceed this natural limit use specific techniques:

High-Gravity Wort: Starting with a very dense, sugary wort gives the yeast a massive amount of food to ferment. Specialized yeast strains that can tolerate higher alcohol levels are often used.
Freeze-Distillation (Eisbock Method): This is the game-changer for producing extreme ABV beers. After fermentation, the brew is frozen. Because water freezes at a higher temperature than ethanol, the ice can be removed, leaving behind a more concentrated, higher-alcohol liquid. This process is repeated multiple times to reach truly staggering ABV percentages.

Legendary Contenders for the Strongest Beer Title

Over the years, several breweries have jostled for the title of the world's strongest beer. The competition has been fierce, with records being broken and surpassed in a series of audacious releases.

Brewmeister Snake Venom (67.5% ABV)

Since its release in 2013, this Scottish creation has been widely recognized as one of the world's most potent beers. It is brewed with smoked, peated malt and uses both beer and Champagne yeast. After fermentation, the brew is freeze-distilled to achieve its syrupy, non-carbonated consistency. The brewery warns that it should be enjoyed in small, 35ml measures, much like a fine spirit.

Schorschbräu Schorschbock 57 (57.5% ABV)

This German Eisbock was once a record holder and a fierce rival to BrewDog. Brewed according to the German purity law (Reinheitsgebot), it pushes the Eisbock technique to its natural limit. The brewery claims that 57% ABV is the highest possible strength achievable without adding extra spirits.

BrewDog The End of History (55% ABV)

In 2010, BrewDog released this unique and controversial beer. Famous for its peculiar packaging in taxidermied squirrels and stoats, it was freeze-distilled from a Belgian ale to reach its final strength. BrewDog declared this release their final exploration into high-ABV brewing, hence the name.

Brouwerij 't Koelschip Start the Future (60% ABV)

Coming from the Netherlands, 't Koelschip briefly held the title with its 60% ABV brew in response to BrewDog's releases. Like other extreme beers, it is best served in small glasses. However, this beer is now out of production.

Comparison Table of Extreme ABV Beers


Beer Name	Brewery	Country	Alcohol by Volume (ABV)	Brewing Method	Notes
Snake Venom	Brewmeister	Scotland	67.5%	Freeze-distillation, fortified	Fortified with extra alcohol
Schorschbräu Schorschbock 57	Schorschbräu	Germany	57.5%	Freeze-distillation (Eisbock)	Made following German purity law
The End of History	BrewDog	Scotland	55%	Freeze-distillation	Noted for its taxidermy packaging
Start the Future	Brouwerij 't Koelschip	Netherlands	60%	Freeze-distillation	No longer in production
Strength in Numbers	BrewDog & Schorschbräu	Scotland/Germany	57.8%	Collaboration, Freeze-distillation	Result of the ABV rivalry

More Accessible Strong Beer Styles

While the aforementioned beers are specialty items, there are many strong beer styles that are widely available to consumers seeking a potent brew. These include:

Barleywine: A strong, high-ABV ale (typically 8-12%) with a malty flavor profile, often reminiscent of dark fruit and caramel.
Russian Imperial Stout: Originally brewed to withstand the long sea journey to Russia, these stouts are rich, dark, and powerful, often reaching 10-12% ABV, with some examples pushing higher.
Belgian Quadrupel: Dark, complex Belgian ales that are rich in flavor with notes of dark fruit and spices, and an ABV usually between 10-13%.

Ethical Considerations and Extreme Beers

As the ABV of beer climbs, the line between beer and spirit becomes blurred, raising ethical and safety questions. Freeze-distillation is a technique that is often debated, with some purists arguing that the end result is not a true beer because the alcohol is artificially concentrated beyond the yeast's natural abilities. Furthermore, the extreme potency of these beverages requires careful handling and consumption, as the effects can be very similar to drinking a strong spirit. Breweries often include warnings and recommend small serving sizes. For consumers, it is vital to approach these beers with respect, understanding that they are not meant to be consumed like a typical lager but rather savored slowly, like a fine cognac. The pursuit of the highest ABV is a testament to the innovation and ambition of craft brewers, but it is a path that necessitates caution and responsibility from both producers and consumers.

Ultimately, while the record for the highest alcohol content is a fascinating, competitive space, the joy of beer often lies in the diversity of styles available at more moderate ABVs. Exploring the nuanced flavors of a robust Imperial Stout or a malty Barleywine can provide an equally rewarding experience for beer enthusiasts. For those seeking the pinnacle of brewing strength, the world's most potent beers remain a curious and intense category. For further reading on the technical aspects of brewing and beer styles, the Brewers Association offers an excellent resource detailing the characteristics of various beer categories.

A guide to classic and contemporary beer styles can be found at the Brewers Association website.

Conclusion: The Final Verdict on High ABV

The title of 'which beer has the highest alcohol content?' is a dynamic one, shifting with new releases from ambitious brewers. Currently, the most commonly cited winner in this extreme category is Brewmeister's Snake Venom, with a staggering 67.5% ABV, a figure achieved through freeze-distillation and fortification. While other historical contenders have come and gone, the modern ABV wars continue to redefine the boundaries of brewing. These potent creations are distinct from standard beer and should always be treated with caution due to their high alcohol volume. For most beer drinkers, the world of high-ABV brewing offers a fascinating peek into the extremes of the craft, while more traditional strong styles like Imperial Stouts and Barleywines offer a more accessible, flavorful experience.

How the Highest Alcohol Content is Achieved

Freeze-Distillation: Brewers freeze the beer and remove the ice crystals (water) to concentrate the alcohol, a technique borrowed from the Eisbock style.
High-Gravity Wort: Using a wort with a very high sugar content provides more fuel for the yeast to convert into alcohol.
Specialized Yeast: High-tolerance yeast strains, sometimes even Champagne yeast, are used to ferment to higher alcohol levels without dying off.

Important Considerations for Extreme Beers

Consumption: These beers are designed to be sipped in small quantities, similar to a spirit, due to their intense strength.
Purity Debate: Some beer traditionalists debate whether fortified or freeze-distilled beverages can truly be called 'beer' because of the non-traditional methods used to achieve the high ABV.
Flavor Profile: The focus on high alcohol can result in a brew with intense heat and a thick, syrupy consistency, potentially overshadowing typical beer flavors.

Frequently Asked Questions

The highest alcohol content beer is widely considered to be Brewmeister's Snake Venom, boasting a staggering 67.5% ABV. This Scottish brew achieves its high alcohol level through a freeze-distillation process.

Extremely high ABV is achieved primarily through freeze-distillation, a process where a fermented beer is frozen and the resulting ice (water) is removed, leaving behind a more concentrated, higher-alcohol liquid. Specialized, high-tolerance yeast and a high-gravity wort are also used initially.

No, there is a significant debate among purists and enthusiasts about whether beers fortified with extra spirits or made using extensive freeze-distillation truly qualify as 'beer'. Some argue these processes make the product more akin to a spirit.

Extreme ABV beers, like Snake Venom, are not meant to be consumed like a typical beer. They are best served in small measures, similar to a shot of whiskey or a fine cognac, and should be sipped slowly to appreciate the flavor and manage the intense alcohol content.

For those seeking a strong beer without going to the extreme, popular styles include Barleywines (8-12% ABV), Russian Imperial Stouts (10-12% ABV), and Belgian Quadrupels (10-13% ABV), all of which are widely available.

The Scottish brewery Brewmeister is responsible for creating the 67.5% ABV Snake Venom, which has been cited as the world's strongest beer. It is important to note that the record has been contested historically by other breweries like BrewDog and Schorschbräu.

Not necessarily. While some extreme beers can be complex and flavorful, the intense alcohol can create a hot, overpowering sensation that some may find unpleasant. The process of concentrating alcohol can sometimes come at the expense of flavor balance and nuanced characteristics.