I have drank my share of big beer over the years. Barley Wines, Tripels, Quadrupels, Eisbocks and so on. As have most of you, probably. But then there is the category of really big beer. Beer that defy traditional definitions of beer. I am talking about the Sam Adams Utopias, the Schorschbrau Schorschbock series, Mikkeller‘s bigger beers, and, of course, Brewdog’s End of History and Tactical Nuclear Penguin. The latter beer has been made available in Alberta recently – in very rare quantities. That makes it the strongest beer ever available in the province (and in Canada, to my knowledge).
TNP also has the infamy of being the beer that cause the short-lived ban on beer over 11.9% alcohol. The ALCB people freaked when they saw the application to list it, and in reaction banned everything 12% and higher. Due to the efforts of beer aficionados and craft brewers, the ban was quickly overturned and translated into an extra taxation levy. Still, it is an interesting sidebar.
But the main story is that this beer is honking big. 32% alcohol, for which it briefly held the title as world’s strongest beer. I have long suspected that beer in this extreme category are likely not all that palatable. In part because the process used to make them that strong – freeze distillation – also concentrates any minute flaws in the original beer.
However, I am a beer journalist, which means if a historic and one-of-a-kind beer comes across my path, I must try it. (This isn’t always an enviable thing – I also try the crap beer that hits town, too.) So I picked up a bottle – all $75 worth. Now, I could have drank it alone in my basement, but that would be kind of loser-ish and worrisome. So instead I decided to turn it into a CBC column, which we did last Friday.
I start with a general discussion of extreme beer, how it is made and why. Then we sample TNP. And I must say Peter’s reaction (Peter Brown, the show host) is priceless. Worth the cost of admission all by itself. Quite frankly neither one of us liked the beer very much. My guess that it needs a year or two in the cellar to soften up (this could be a charitable opinion). At the moment it is very hot, rather molasses-like in its sweetness. It tastes something like a cheap, sugary rum, to be honest. It is one of those experiences I am glad I did once, but have no real plans to repeat. However, I do have 3/4 of a bottle still sitting in my basement that I need to figure out what to do with (good thing it comes with a wine stopper – and there was no appreciable carbonation to start).
While the beer was, in my opinion, rather questionable, I thought the column went quite well. It was fun yet remained informative. And it gave listeners an insight into a beer of which they would normally never come within a couple of continents.
You can listen to the column here, in all its glory.
August 24, 2011 at 9:18 PM
I shared a bottle with a few friends and had a similar experience as you: interesting to try, but wouldn’t pay for it again, and thought it could use a lot of cellaring. However, another bottle was purchased for me for Father’s Day, so I will cellar that one for a few years (perhaps a decade?) and repeat the experience then and get back to you.
August 24, 2011 at 11:48 PM
Hah I loved the interview, it was really good. Though, I’m glad I didn’t buy a bottle when Jim showed it to me as i was picking up Tokyo* a few months back. I mean I thought Samichlaus was a little too syrupy/sugary for my likings, so I can only imagine how I’d feel about TNP. Though I do have 2 other bottles of Samichlaus cellaring right now, so hopefully those will shape up in the next 2 years. Nonetheless, great interview.
August 25, 2011 at 3:39 PM
Samichlaus is allright if you age it long enough, at least 2-3 years, but I don’t think a pale doppelbock has much flavour/complexity, no matter how strong it is.
TNP is pretty disgusting in my opinion at this point. I would age it at least 10 years.
August 26, 2011 at 1:47 PM
For people that did buy the TNP there are some complaints of bottles exploding on the various beer websites.
August 26, 2011 at 2:50 PM
One of my friends met one of these exploding bottles. The bottom of the bottle literally cracked and fell right off. Good thing the cops didn’t happen to pull him over and ask why his car smelled strongly of cheap whiskey.
August 27, 2011 at 7:59 AM
The problem, as explained to me by the rep is that something went a little off in the brewing process and the latest batch HAS to be kept refrigerated (or very cool) or they will explode. Whatever the problem, it’s been solved and future batches will be less nuclear. The rep has bought back any that have blown up, so bring yours back if you haven’t already.
August 27, 2011 at 11:57 AM
Thanks, Jim, good to know. I have carefully transferred my Tactical Nuclear bomb in to the refrigerator.
August 27, 2011 at 3:19 PM
They say cold fusion is the safest.
August 28, 2011 at 8:43 PM
Lucky for you Alberta folks that the TNP is still considered and taxed like a beer. In BC, the law stands that any beer over 13% will be taxed as a spirit. When we ever get our next shipment of TNP and Sink the Bismaark, the taxes will be high. Last year we sold TNP at $95 a bottle, this year, we have been told that is will be closer to $200 🙁
At that price I will not be putting one aside in the cellar!