That’s the name of BrewDog’s newest beer. I heard about it in an email from BrewDog’s James at the weekend. He twittered (@BrewDogJames) about it today and it’s now reached the ratebeer forums so I thought I’d give it some hype too. Plus I want to see what you guys think of it.
It’s a double IPA hopped with Columbus and Centennial (the same two hops which make up Stone’s Ruination). So far so good. Well, it’s 3.5%ABV and 198IBUs!! Shit. That’s just insane. For some perspective, this beer will have twice the bitterness of Ruination IPA and half the strength. If I thought the Hardcore IPA (9%ABV and 150IBU) was a brute then this one will be a proper monster of a beer.
I think this could be the most unbalanced beer ever brewed. And definitely one of the most bitter (check out this list to see some of the biggest IBU beers around, including Mikkeller’s theoretical 2007IBU beast). I have no idea whether it’ll work but I know that I want to try it. I really want to try it. And at 3.5% I’m sure I could manage a few pints, whether my tongue will be able to handle it is another thing. Bring it on!
Update... I’ve had a quick edit to add the picture and because a little while after I posted this BrewDog posted their own blog about it here. The beer sounds ridiculous, the hops are everywhere but the grain bill makes it sound wicked. And you can also pre-buy it here (I need to set aside a BrewDog fund each month I think!).
When I hear about beer like this I keep thinking of Garrett Oliver's comment that trying to make the world's hoppiest beer is like trying to make the world's saltiest food.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, I'm going to reserve judgement until I have tried some. I'm off up to Utobeer on Saturday, any suggestions other than this one if they have it?
ReplyDeleteEd, I know the quote well. I'm really intrigued as to how it's going to work. I love balance in my beers so want to see how the weak ABV affects that. They are using two great hops and it'll really showcase their bitter brutality.
ReplyDeletePete, I was up there last week, picked up some great bottles. They won't have this beer but they've got a few different BrewDogs (get Tokyo if you see it). I'd say grab anything from Stone, they've got some new beers from Victory brewing which look pretty good (I got the stout and hop wallop), they had Jaipur and Bracia from Thornbridge and they shouldn't be missed. I got Sierra Nevada's Torpedo IPA which is their 7.2% extra IPA. There's a load of European stuff too. I would just say take a large bag and a big wad of cash! Oh, and they also had some Goose Island Bourbon County Stout if you like your stouts big. There's so much up there. And while you're there you have to pop to the Rake for a few beers, I got some great stuff there on Saturday including Stone IPA and Oaked Arrogant Bastard on tap.
Even at 3.5%, with that much hops going in its fair to say that the old hgop demon will knock you around somewhat. I dare to say a good night sleep is almost guarented.
ReplyDeleteOMFG!
ReplyDeleteWe are calling this new style
ReplyDeleteIMPERIAL MILD
It rocks!
James, BrewDog
Victory Hop Devil is superb. The only East Coast beer I drink.
ReplyDeletewe just blogged it here:
ReplyDeletewww.brewdog.com/blog-article.php?id=88
James, BrewDog
Tim, it will be like a sedative with all those lovely sleep-inducing hops in there!
ReplyDeleteBrad, in just 4 characters you sum it up perfectly. I'll bring a bottle to The Bull next time we're up there (which is when?!).
James, great blog post about it, can't wait to try it now. What's next?!
Wurst, I had the Hop Devil at the weekend too but wasn't blown away by it. It was the last beer of the night though so I'll buy another nextt ime I see it.
Pictish showcase 8-10 May. Lineup still TBC.
ReplyDeleteThey're having a complete refit in the cellar and should have around 8-10 handpumps on the bar next time you're in there.
How is the plan to move there shaping up? :-)
8-10 May is in the diary. Is the Pub of the Year celebration the week after? I want to be there for that, especially if they open the Divine Rebel and the Pitfield. And 8-10 handpumps?! Oh my goodness. I will be stepping up the campaign to move up the road now :D
ReplyDeleteI might pop in over the weekend, think we have to go to Bluewater and it's virtually on the way home ;)