Top 10 Strongest Beers In The World of All Time

There’s nothing more refreshing than cracking open a cold beer on a hot summer afternoon. But for the few among us who have found themselves trapped in the endless cycle of craft-beer elitism, a simple VB may no longer do. After years of delving into the very depths of the liquor cabinet, seeking out the brews with names that are entirely too hard to pronounce, the taste of 4.5% ABV is just too bitter a pill to swallow. Just like Kanye West, you want harder, better, faster, and most importantly, stronger beers.

But while the pursuit for a brew that packs the ultimate punch may take you down a dark ale path, you still might not be ready the strongest beer in the world. How strong, you ask? Forget your 11% IPAs, we’re talking in excess of 60% ABV. The strongest beer in the world isn’t just a moniker given to high alcohol beer, it’s an unrelenting quest from brewers across the globe to truly capture the peak of beer-gineering. Are you game to tackle these heavy hitters?

List of 10 Strongest Beer In The World

10. Struise Black Damnation VI – Messy

9. Baladin Esprit de Noel

8. BrewDog Sink The Bismarck

7. Schorschbrau Schorschbock 43

6. Koelschip Obilix

5. The End Of History

4. Schorschbrau Schorschbock 57

3. Koelschip Start the Future

2. Brewmeister Armageddon

1. Brewmeister Snake Venom

Detailed Information of 10 Strongest Beer In The World

10. Struise Black Damnation VI – Messy

Photo: Fine Dining Lovers
Photo: Fine Dining Lovers

As one of the only beers on this list that focused on using high alcohol content to improve flavour, the Struise Black Damnation VI is one Imperial Stout we’re quite fond of. The dark, black brew carries some fantastic notes of coffee, dark chocolate and peat, giving it an almost whisky-like mouthfeel. Despite the additions, the Imperial Stout has all the elements we’ve come to love from darker beers, making it not only one of the strongest beers in the world, but one of the more impressive.

Brewery: De Struise Brouwers

Origin: Belgium

ABV: 39%

9. Baladin Esprit de Noel

Photo: Baladin
Photo: Baladin

Brewery: Baladin

Origin: Italy

ABV: 40%

Baladin’s ultra strong “Christmas Spirit” was distilled back in 2011 after being aged in oak barrels for three years. Considered a “gem for connoisseurs,” this straw yellow colored beer is smooth, with light wooden and chocolate notes.

8. BrewDog Sink The Bismarck

Photo: The Something Awful Forums
Photo: The Something Awful Forums

Brewery: BrewDog

Origin: Scotland

ABV: 41%

Many people credit the Scotland based team at BrewDog for popularizing the whole quest for the world’s strongest beer. Years ago the brand created a 18.2% ABV Tokyo brew, and after mass criticism from beer fans, decided to respond in a spiteful manner, continuously upping their own ante. After making the Tactical Nuclear Penguin (32% ABV), BrewDog is sitting pretty on the list at #8 with this Sink The Bismarck, and this quadruple IPA isn’t even their top contender.

7. Schorschbrau Schorschbock 43

Photo: Craftbeer - Shop
Photo: Craftbeer - Shop

Brewery: Schorschbräu

Origin: Germany

ABV: 43%

Get used to seeing the name, because these Germans will be making the list more than once. This Eisbock (ice strong beer) was only brewed once, and due to its poor flavor (overwhelmingly spicy), was never considered anything more than a gimmick – just like the majority of the “world’s strongest beers.”

6. Koelschip Obilix

Photo: Advice Selection
Photo: Advice Selection

Koelschip’s second appearance on the list is a good one. The Obilix really set the tone for the brewery’s foray into the world’s strongest beer category. While the limited-edition brew came and went quickly, it was around long enough to make a massive impression on the industry, revealing our demand for high alcohol beer was stronger than ever.

Brewery: Koelschip

Origin: The Netherlands

ABV: 45%

5. The End Of History

Photo: Flickr
Photo: Flickr

Scottish brewery BrewDog has made a bit of a name for itself in the strongest beers world. With a dedication to innovation that is rarely seen amongst the craft beer world, BrewDog has chalked up some heavy hitters over the years, but The End of History is one you simply can’t go past, and for good reason. This ultra-limited blond Belgian ale is wrapped in a dead squirrel. Yep, that’s not a typo. At USD$780 a bottle, the beer contains hints of juniper berries, mead, and nettles.

Brewery: BrewDog

Origin: Scotland

ABV: 55%

4. Schorschbrau Schorschbock 57

Photo: LaptrinhX
Photo: LaptrinhX

Brewery: Schorschbräu

Origin: Germany

ABV: 57%

We already told you that these Germans are on a quest to earn the number one spot. While their flagship Schorschbock 57 did fall short of that, the aptly titled brew is seriously strong. If you’re looking for a smooth, tasty beer, look elsewhere. This thing has been described as nothing more than a fiery shot of booze.

3. Koelschip Start the Future

Photo: Manofmany
Photo: Manofmany

There’s no denying it, the quest for the strongest beer in the world is certainly being spearheaded by the European micro-brewery scene. It seems, each year these passionate brewers take things one step further, pushing the boundaries of what is achievable and most importantly, palatable. After the success with its Obilix, Koelschip went back to the drawing board to craft Start of the Future. At 60% ABV, the high alcohol beer hits hard, on the night and in the morning.

Brewery: Koelschip

Origin: The Netherlands

ABV: 60%

*******READ MORE: What is BrewDog - The Most Expensive and Strongest Beer of All Time

2. Brewmeister Armageddon

Photo: Flickr
Photo: Flickr

Before there was Snake Venom, Brewmiester shook up the brewing world with Armageddon. The 65% ABV brew was designed as the ideal cross-over between beer and whisky, hitting that sweet-spot we’ve all been yearning for. Crafted from crystal malt, wheat, flaked oats, and 100% Scottish spring water, Armageddon is a more pure example of brewing skill without as much innovation technology as the Snake Venom. A true assault on the taste buds, Brewmeister Armageddon is easily one of the highest alcohol content beers we’ve ever seen.

Brewery: Brewmeister

Origin: Scotland

ABV: 65%

1. Brewmeister Snake Venom

Photo: LADbible
Photo: LADbible

Brewery: Brewmeister

Origin: Scotland

ABV: 67.5%

Proving that they were the only competition, the Scotland based brewery one-upped themselves in 2013, rolling out the new belt holder for the world’s strongest beer. The aptly titled Snake Venom is made with smoke peat malt along with Champagne and ale yeast. You can buy a 9-ounce bottle of this bad boy for roughly $80 online.

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