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Madcap Scottish brewing maestro Brew Dog, has launched the world's strongest beer to a volley of criticism from health chiefs.

The 32% abv brew, called Tactical Nuclear Penguin (great name), takes over the mantle as the world's strongest beer from German concoction Schorschbraerm which weighs in at a measly 31% abv.

The incredible strength was attained when the beer, which started life as a 10 percent imperial stout, was aged for 16 months in two different whisky casks before being stored in a freezer at a ball-shriveling -20°C for three weeks.

Though not everyone was impressed as we are. Chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, Jack Law, told The Sun: "The fact that they have achieved a new world record is not admirable.

"It is a product with a lot of alcohol in it - that's all. To dress it up as anything else is cynical." Fair point but the assertions are despite Brew Dog marketing the beer for connoisseurs, and advising people to drink it in short nips, like a spirit.

Tactical Nuclear Penguin will be available to buy online and from two off licenses one in London and one in Edinburgh, at £30 and £250 which also buys you a share in the company and will go towards building a £2.3m "eco-friendly, carbon neutral brewery in Aberdeen". Strong beers and green credentials.

This news tickled our beery taste-buds - we wanted to know, what are the world's strongest beers? So we found them, and so can you - after the break.

Sam Adam's Utopias - USA - Boston Beer Company - 24% abv - £56 per bottle

Not only is it one of the strongest beers in the world, Samuel Adams Utopias is also among the world's most expensive. Only 8,000 of the limited edition brew were made and came in this odd copper kettle (left).

Boston Beer Company, the brewer responsible for Utopias, said the beer was designed to be enjoyed slowly as an after dinner tipple.

Brewery founder Jim Koch said: "We are passionate about brewing quality, one-of-a-kind beer that amazes beer lovers and aficionados alike."

Our twopence: Despite it being 24% we reckon Utopias will taste like most other American beers - like the bottom of a boat - ie... pretty close to water.
Schorschbock 31 - Germany - Schorschbräu - 31% abv - £45 per bottle

This eisbock beer is made by freezing a doppelbock brew then removing the ice to concentrate the flavour and alcohol content. It is deep copper in colour with ruby highlights and tastes intensely hoppy and sweet.

The bock is a traditional brew that goes back to the 14th century, when apparently, binge drinking was still a bit of a problem.

Our twopence: If there's one thing we will concede to the Germans it is that they do beer very, very well. That's it though - nothing else.


World Wide Stout - USA - Dogfish Head - 23% abv - £12 for 6 (plus £25 p&p)

This burly little stout is a pitch black malty number designed for sipping rather than gulping. Head retention can be a problem due to it's hefty alcohol content, but by the time you've finished a bottle you probably won't care.

This Delaware based brewers has garnered a reputation for supremely crafted ales in a very short space of time since they started churning out beers in 1995.

Our twopence: Most Americans we've met couldn't tell the difference between an IPA and their elbow, so it's nice to see some yanks who understand ale.

Tokyo - UK - Brew Dog - 18.2% abv - £47.35 for 24

According to the Brew Dog website this Stout was inspired by Space Invaders.

They also claim: "The irony of existentialism, the parody of being and the inherent contradictions of post-modernism, all so delicately conveyed by the blocky, pixelated arcade action have all been painstakingly recreated in this bottles contents."

Which oddly makes us want to try it. We've never tasted contradiction before, well apart from, like, kinder eggs.

Our twopence: Surely tastes more like stout than irony of existentialism.

Tennent's Super - UK - Wellpark - 9% abv - £5 for 8

The vagrant's choice. Tennent's is most commonly seen being quaffed by the less fortunate members of our society. Though it also has a cult following among less domestically-challenged people.

A potent and surprisingly full-bodied brew, Tennent's manages to avoid tasting like other super-strength lagers which play on the palette with all the subtly of methylated spirit diluted with washing up liquid.

Our twopence: It genuinely doesn't taste that bad, much better than Carling, but you can't buy it because people will think you don't have a home.

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