Brewery: BrewDog | Beer: Tactical Nuclear Penguin
Style: Imperial Stout | ABV: 32% | IBUs: ?
Serving Method: 330 ml bottle (about 12 oz.) in a 17 oz. glass
I think BrewDog's information on the Tactical Nuclear Penguin (or the TNP) introduces this beer better than I ever could:
This is the worlds strongest ever beer, ever (yes ever).
No Penguins were harmed in the making of this beer; some humans did get very, very cold though. It was worth it.
The Antarctic name, inducing schizophrenia, of this Ÿber-imperial stout originates from the amount of time it spent exposed to extreme cold. This beer was initially double barrel aged for 14 months; maturing in the deep, rich oak of Scottish whisky casks. After this epic maturation the beer was then frozen, then frozen again, then frozen again.
Specifically, the TNP is made using the following:
Malts: Marris Otter, Dark Crystal, Caramalt, Chocolate Malt, Roast Barley
Hops: Galena, Bramling Cross
This mix, and the freezing process used to bump the ABV up to 32%, creates a wholly unique (and powerful) beer that can't really be compared or critiqued in the "traditional" sense. While I classify this as a review, please keep in mind that I'm far from the most qualified person to "seriously" critique the world's strongest beer (or any beer, for that matter). Nevertheless, I will continue with the review in my own particular idiom. Note: Please see my previous blog posts for an explanation of the review process and where I got my format.
Appearance: Dark - very dark, as most stouts are. I'd even say foreboding. There's no carbonation, and no head - exactly what you'd expect of something that's almost 1/3 alcohol. It might just be me, but when I was pouring the TNP, it seemed "thick." I think I was intimidated.
Aroma: The first thing I noticed was the alcohol - the scent was very prevalent, but I expected it would be. Also present (to my nose) was a nutty, chocolate smell. As was the case with the appearance, I was intimidated by the strong alcohol odor and might have missed something. Actually, intimidated isn't accurate - I was a little frightened of ingesting the TNP at this point.
Taste: After saying a quick prayer, I tried my first few sips of the TNP. Yep - definitely nutty and chocolate, and perhaps a little sweet. Definitely HIGH in alcohol, which is impossible to miss in the taste. Not too far off from sipping on a whiskey. Most importantly, I didn't die.
Mouthfeel: As in how did it feel in my mouth? For a beer this strong, surprisingly smooth. I gulped down a bit too much once and the alcohol assaulted my throat as a warning not to make the same mistake again.
Drinkability: The key word here is "sip" - you can't quaff this beverage. Well, you could, but you'd find yourself on the floor sooner rather than later. Compared to "normal" beer, the TNP doesn't score high in drinkability, but this isn't a normal beer. If you sip it, as it's intended to be consumed, it's actually rather drinkable. Just don't sip too fast.
Verdict: While not something I'd drink on a regular basis (the price alone would make sure of that), I had a great time with the TNP. For now, I can count myself among a (relative) handful of people in the world who have had the opportunity to experience the current world's strongest beer.
Grade: You can't put a grade on the world's strongest beer.
