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[Macam]

US breweries putting more cheer in beer

American breweries are marketing a new range of "extreme beers" containing up to 25 per cent alcohol in an attempt to appeal to the palates of cocktail drinkers.

Seductively packaged, one brew is sold in a copper decanter costing $100 (£55), they compete with the concoctions served at fashionable bars. The move is a reaction to beer's slipping market share and the increasing popularity of spirits and wine.

While beer is still the most widely consumed beverage in America, its market domination is slipping - down from 56 per cent to 53.2 per cent over the past six years - as more people opt for stronger alcoholic alternatives at home and when out.

Brewing companies hope to reach a new audience, ideally trend setters and followers, by redefining beer's image.

A limited edition beer from Sam Adams called Utopias is 25 per cent alcohol (most beers are between four and five per cent).

Designed for after-dinner sipping like a liqueur, it tastes "like cognac smells", Jim Koch, founder of Sam Adams's maker, Boston Beer, told the New York Times. It is brewed with standard methods but aims to "push the boundaries of beer", he said.

BE and Tilt, new malt-based drinks from Anheuser-Busch, which sells roughly half of all the beer in the United States, are a cross between a beer and an energy drink.

Brewers acknowledge that over the past decade their efforts have been outshone by the astute marketing of spirits and wines.

 

[border]

I can't even take the taste of those crappy Canadian beers that have like 8-10% alcohol (Maudite, La Fin Du Monde, etc). I don't even wanna think about how nasty these will taste.

 

[iapetus]

Maybe if the majority of beer sold in the US wasn't basically piss this wouldn't be an issue?

 

[Macam]

Maybe if the majority of beer sold in the US wasn't basically piss this wouldn't be an issue?

It's not what the US sells, as much as what it makes. The local university bar here has dollar domestics on Tuesdays, and that's still vastly overpriced in my eyes.

 

[iapetus]

By 'domestics' do you mean quality locally brewed beer? Because I'd happily pay over a dollar for that...

 

[Macam]

By 'domestics' do you mean quality locally brewed beer? Because I'd happily pay over a dollar for that...

No, I mean Budwesier, BudLight, MillerLite...maybe Shiner Bock, but I don't think that's part of it.

 

[iapetus]

No, I mean Budwesier, BudLight, MillerLite...maybe Shiner Bock, but I don't think that's part of it.

Ah. In that case I'd happily pay well over a dollar for something else, or drink vodka or diet coke. I managed to train myself to drink Heineken if necessary while working in Holland, but I draw the line at Budweiser.

 

[Macam]

Ah. In that case I'd happily pay well over a dollar for something else, or drink vodka or diet coke. I managed to train myself to drink Heineken if necessary while working in Holland, but I draw the line at Budweiser.

Heineken is a godsend in comparison. That said, the aforementioned bar has a line going out the door and given that it's next to the university, the scenery is quite....nice. A flask is in order.

 

[SickBoy]

No, I mean Budwesier, BudLight, MillerLite...maybe Shiner Bock, but I don't think that's part of it.

Shiner Bock -- Texan beer, right? Tried it when I was in Houston earlier this year. The fact that it was on tap a lot of places was a godsend, considering the alternatives.

 

[AB 101]

Man, even hate on American beer around here.

 

[iapetus]

Not all American beer, you understand. Just the bad stuff.

 

[Manics]

I believe beer stops being "beer" once you pass a certain alcohol content. I would put this at roughly 10%

 

[Macam]

Shiner Bock -- Texan beer, right? Tried it when I was in Houston earlier this year. The fact that it was on tap a lot of places was a godsend, considering the alternatives.

Ha! Yeah, Texan beer (along with Zeigenbock or whatever). Shiner's rather shit, but it's better than the alternatives. For the record, if you find yourself in Houston and in need of a drink head off to Stag's Head -- it's an actual bar with better selection than most.

 

[WasabiKing]

Beer's got its ass kicked by crappy malt drinks, wine, and hard liquor the last few years. This is their first of many attempts at a comeback. 50 proof beer, lovely...

 

[Killkernal]

Old Rasputin Imperial Stout is somewhere in the 9-10% alcohol range and that's probably strong enough for me. As soon as the alcohol content increases significantly so does the overabundant sugary taste. I once tried a sample of some beer that was said to contain 20% alcohol; it tasted like ketchup and corn syrup. Nasty stuff.

As long as decent taste is not sacrificed for the sake of a quicker buzz, I have no problem with stronger beer. No Budweiser 20/20 please.

 

[iapetus]

It's all about the flavour. I've tasted 12.5% beers that tasted lovely and light, and 7% beers that taste vile and tarry. But flavour should never be sacrificed for strength. If you're just in it to get drunk then go for a vodka chaser.

 

[WasabiKing]

It's all about the flavour. I've tasted 12.5% beers that tasted lovely and light, and 7% beers that taste vile and tarry. But flavour should never be sacrificed for strength. If you're just in it to get drunk then go for a vodka chaser.

Hear hear! <Sp?> That's why I drink Jack and Coke!

 

[miyuru]

I believe beer stops being "beer" once you pass a certain alcohol content. I would put this at roughly 10%

Nah, you'd be wrong. It's how a drink is made which determines what it'll be called.

Honestly though, a bottle of beer @ 25%? A bottle? Goddamn. This sounds retarded.

 

[shantyman]

I once tried EKU 28 (11% ABV) in a local bar in Oxford Ohio. It was the only brewery in the US that had it on tap. It was hyper sweet and actually not that great (IMHO of course). They actually ended up getting rid of it as it was not very popular.