'World's strongest' beer launched

The beer, BrewDog founder James Watt and a penguin

Nuclear Penguin gets tactical launch

Self-styled punk brewer BrewDog today launched what it claims is the world’s strongest beer, an ‘uber-imperial stout’ weighing in at a whopping 32% ABV.  

The controversial Scots brewer seemingly timed the launch of Tactical Nuclear Penguin to coincide with publication of the Scottish government’s Alcohol Bill, a raft of measures aimed at combating the country’s perceived drink problem.  

“This beer is bold, irreverent and uncompromising,” the brewer declared online. “[It’s] A modern day rebellion for the craft beer proletariat in our struggle to overthrow the faceless bourgeoisie oppression of corporate, soulless beer.” 

But BrewDog’s uprising was dismissed as a “cynical marketing ploy” by Alcohol Focus Scotland, a charity aimed at promoting responsible drinking.  

The publicity-hungry firm has a controversial history. Earlier this month BrewDog lodged a complaint about its own beer Tokyo (18.2%) with industry watchdog the Portman Group and then attacked the body as a “self-imposed cartel”.  

Tactical Nuclear Penguin started life as a 10% imperial stout before being aged for 18 months in whisky casks. The beer is then stored at -20˚C for three weeks to allow the alcohol and flavours to concentrate.  

A warning on the beer’s label states: “This is an extremely strong beer. It should be enjoyed in small servings and with an air of aristocratic nonchalance.” The brewer suggests Penguin should be enjoyed in spirit-sized measures.  

Only 500 330ml bottles will be released. 250 will be sold along with shares in a £2.3 million project to build a new brewery for £250 and the remainder will go for £30 a bottle.