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By Scottie, February 16, 2010 10:41 pm

BrewDog's James and Martin with a couple bottles of Sink the Bismark

James Watt and Martin Dickie, those innovative and competitive Scots from BrewDog Brewery, have created the world’s strongest beer….again; but when is a beer no longer a beer? At 41% ABV, many question whether BrewDog’s latest high alcohol concoction should even be considered a beer at all.

Last year, BrewDog unveiled the Tactical Nuclear Penguin, a 32% ABV (alcohol by volume) brew that broke the record for the world’s strongest beer ever brewed by humans…or penguins for that matter. Recently, Kleinbrauerei Schorschbräu, from Germany, one upped the Scots with their ridiculously strong Schorschbock, a behemoth of an Eisbock with 40% ABV.

Not to be outdone, Martin and James have waged war on the Germans and their new weapon is Sink the Bismark. Sink the Bismarck is a quadruple IPA that is frozen four times to drive the alcohol content to an astounding 41% ABV (not that the previous record holder’s ABVs weren’t astounding).

So what is this new ABV champion all about? Here is how BrewDog describes their new beer:

This is IPA amplified, the most evocative style of the craft beer resistance with the volume cranked off the scale. Kettle-hopped, dry-hopped then freeze-hopped for a deep fruit, resinous and spicy aroma. A full-out attack on your taste-buds ensues as the incredibly smooth liquid delivers a crescendo of malt, sweet honey, hop oils and a torpedo of hop bitterness which seems to last forever.

How much alcohol is too much? Have the Scottish punks (they are the self-proclaimed punks of the beer industry) gone too far? Well, this isn’t the first time that BrewDog has created a controversial beer. Their Tokyo (an 18.2% ABV Imperial Stout) was removed from some UK retailers because the messaging on the label was said to promote binge drinking. One can only imagine what the “watchdogs” think of BrewDog’s latest super brew.

Not many people are going to be able to afford to binge drink the Bismark though, since this rare beer will set you back a cool £40 for a 330ml bottle. BrewDog also provides an explanation of their sometimes misunderstood approach to brewing.

We want to do all we can to promote a new and responsible approach to beers in this country. We want the public to learn to understand, appreciate and respect beer. At BrewDog, we want to highlight a different approach to beer, one which focuses on quality ingredients and craftsmanship and not marketing budgets, volume sales and binge consumption. Many fall down the monolithic corporate brewers rabbit hole, we are on a mission to open as many people’s eyes as we can.

So when is a beer no longer a beer? I say if a beer is brewed with the four traditional ingredients – barley, hops, water, and yeast – then it should be considered a beer, regardless of the ABV. These Scots are always pushing the envelope of what is possible. They create beers (whether it be 6% ABV or 41% ABV) that they want to brew and they certainly don’t give a damn what anyone thinks, which I find refreshing.

Congrats to BrewDog for once-again redeeming the crown as being the brewer of the world’s strongest beer! Now all I have to do is get my hands on one of these comatose-inducing concoctions.