Brewmeister Snake Venom: A Contender for the Highest ABV
For over a decade, craft brewers have been locked in a race to create the beer with the highest alcohol content. While the title has changed hands several times, the current record holder widely recognized for its sheer potency is Brewmeister's Snake Venom. Reaching an astonishing 67.5% Alcohol by Volume (ABV), this Scottish-brewed creation is not a casual drink but a sipper designed to be consumed in small measures, akin to a fine whisky.
How is Such a High Alcohol Content Achieved?
The creation of beers with exceptionally high ABV, like Snake Venom, involves pushing brewing techniques to their limits and often venturing into controversial territory. The process for Snake Venom utilizes two key methods:
- Freeze Distillation (or 'Eisbock' method): This technique involves freezing the beer multiple times after fermentation. Since alcohol has a lower freezing point than water, ice crystals (composed mainly of water) form and are removed, leaving behind a more concentrated, higher-alcohol liquid. This process intensifies both the alcohol content and the flavor profile.
- Fortification: One of the most debated aspects of Brewmeister's record is its use of added pure alcohol, or ethanol, to achieve the final strength. While effective, this practice blurs the line between traditional brewing and spirit-making, leading some purists to argue whether fortified creations like Snake Venom can still be classified as true beer.
The Great Brewing Arms Race
The quest for the world's strongest beer has fueled a fierce rivalry, particularly between Scotland's BrewDog and Germany's Schorschbräu. This back-and-forth competition saw each brewery leapfrogging the other's record with increasingly potent brews. The timeline includes:
- BrewDog's Tactical Nuclear Penguin (2009): Released at 32% ABV, kicking off the race.
- Schorschbräu's Schorschbock (multiple releases): The German brewery responded with increasingly stronger Eisbocks, eventually hitting 57% ABV.
- BrewDog's The End of History (2010): A 55% ABV brew presented in taxidermy animals, a legendary piece of brewing history.
- The Collaboration (2011): The breweries ultimately called a truce and collaborated on Strength in Numbers, a 57.8% ABV beer that included both BrewDog's freeze-distilled brew and Schorschbräu's Eisbock.
While this storied rivalry ended, the pursuit of extreme ABV continued, eventually leading to Brewmeister's record-breaking Snake Venom.
Comparison Table of High-ABV Beers
| Brand | Brewery | ABV | Location | Noteworthy Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snake Venom | Brewmeister | 67.5% | Scotland | Achieved through freeze distillation and added ethanol. |
| Scottish Beithir Fire | 88 Brewery | 75% | Scotland | Achieved by blending high ABV ale with Scottish spirit. |
| Armageddon | Brewmeister | 65% | Scotland | Predecessor to Snake Venom, used freeze fermentation. |
| Schorschbock 57 | Schorschbräu | 57% | Germany | Part of the legendary ABV race with BrewDog. |
| Strength in Numbers | BrewDog & Schorschbräu | 57.8% | Scotland/Germany | Collaboration brew resulting from the famous rivalry. |
| The End of History | BrewDog | 55% | Scotland | Controversial, limited edition beer packaged in taxidermy. |
| Utopias | Samuel Adams | 28% | USA | Famous American craft beer using multiple yeasts and aging. |
What Distinguishes Traditional Strong Beers?
Not all high-ABV beers require such extreme or controversial methods. Many classic beer styles are known for naturally high alcohol content, achieved through robust brewing techniques and high-tolerance yeasts. Examples include:
- Barleywines: Often aged for extended periods, these can reach 8-15% ABV.
- Imperial Stouts: Robust, dark beers with deep malty flavors, frequently exceeding 10% ABV.
- Belgian Quadrupels: Complex, dark Trappist-style ales that can range from 10-14% ABV.
These styles demonstrate that high alcohol content can be a natural product of careful, patient brewing without relying on artificial fortification. The process for these traditional styles focuses on maximizing the yeast's natural fermentation power and the fermentable sugars available from the malt.
Conclusion: More Than Just a Number
While the record for the highest ABV beer is a fascinating topic, it's important to recognize the nuances and controversies involved. Brewmeister's Snake Venom, at 67.5%, is a technical marvel but also a point of contention for some who question its classification as a beer due to the use of added ethanol. The historical brewing arms race between BrewDog and Schorschbräu highlights the innovative and competitive spirit of the craft beer world. Ultimately, whether through traditional methods or extreme techniques, the pursuit of high-ABV beers showcases the creativity and audacity of modern brewers. It's a reminder that beer can be far more than a simple lager, offering complex, spirit-like experiences that challenge our palates and definitions.
For a deeper dive into the brewing world's perspective on these potent creations, you can explore resources from the Beer Judge Certification Program.
Can you get high-ABV beer without freezing or adding alcohol?
Yes, certain yeast strains can naturally produce higher alcohol levels. BrewDog's Ghost Deer, for example, achieved 28% ABV through special fermentation, though this was still highly experimental and unique.
Is the alcohol content of beer related to its color?
No, the color of beer is determined by the roasted malt, not its alcohol content. A dark stout can have a lower ABV than a light-colored Belgian Tripel.
