Achievements in ABV Excellence

You Ferment For Me

by James Saul

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Published: May 13, 2008

1 Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA

With a scale-tipping 20 percent alcohol by volume (ABV) per 12-ounce bottle, Dogfish Head's strongest IPA is not for the weak. A month's exposure to whole-leaf hops makes for an unforgivably bitter beer with burning sensations at the finish. You couldn't ask for more alcohol in such a small package, though, so rejoice in the fact that you and a friend can get tanked on one.

Classic tripel undertones and a super-smooth head make this Belgian-style ale a true champion of the genre: You'd never expect that this brew came from Lambertville, N.J. It boasts 10 percent ABV, but you won't be able to tell with such modesty on the palate. Give it a pour to experience the head, which rivals Boddingtons in creaminess.

The strongest beer Easton's Weyerbacher has to offer is its 11.8 percent quadruple ale. A rich spiciness permeates the flavor, with the fourth round of fermentation taking booziness to the next level. Still, the QUAD, which has taken home top honors at the U.S. Beer Tasting Championship, pairs well with savory food — it's pretty accessible despite its high ABV.

Of all the coffee/beer hybrids we've experienced, "Mortal Sin" is by far the most accessible. Brewed with fair-trade coffee then bottle conditioned, this imperial stout provides an intense, fresh-roasted flavor and a mild, sweet finish. Its comparatively modest 9.5 percent ABV means Péché Mortel's stronger than your average coffee brew, and the $10.95 price tag is well worth it.

Those French-Canadians sure know how to brew 'em strong, so how could we forget our favorite "end of the world" party beverage? Brewed by Quebec's Unibroue, La Fin Du Monde is triple fermented, with a bright, fruity finish in spite of its 9 percent ABV. Dirty Frank's (347 S. 13th St.) serves it in a glass with a little lemon wedge, so you know you're drinking le meilleur.

 

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