By Rory Reynolds
A SCOTS brewery has caused a storm after launching the world’s strongest beer on the day that the Scottish Government fought to keep the Alcohol Bill alive.
BrewDog – who already sell an 18.2 per cent beer called Tokyo* – launched Tactical Nuclear Penguin after 16 months of aging at artic temperatures.
The beer – which costs a staggering £30 per 330ml bottle – has brought the firm under fire from the Government and alcohol campaign groups for flaunting their product’s strength.
Jack Law, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said the move was a “deeply cynical marketing ploy” by the brewing firm.
He said: “BrewDog are piggybacking on what is a very serious issue for Scotland.“They’ve chosen this day in particular to shamelessly publicise their products.
“Also it’s worth noting that this isn’t beer that people would drink, this is effectively a spirit, intended to be drunk as a shooter.
“And calling it a beer will only confuse people.
Cynical ploy
“This is a deeply cynical marketing ploy from a company that makes its whole selling point the strength of its products.
“This is childlike attention seeking on a day when our focus should be tackling the serious problems that Scotland faces.”
Tactical Nuclear Penguin is aged in Isle of Arran whisky casks for eight months and Islay whisky caks for another eight months, before being stored at –20 degrees for three weeks to make the alcohol level reach 32 per cent.
The firm – which is known for its high alcohol content beers and marketing ploys – said it backed minimum pricing, insisting that their beer is a delicacy to be drunk in small measures.
Uncompromising
James Watt, founder of BrewDog said: “This beer is about pushing the boundaries – it is about taking innovation in beer to a whole new level.
“It is about achieving something which has never before been done and putting Scotland firmly on the map for progressive, craft beers. This beer is bold, irreverent and uncompromising.
“This is a great achievement for BrewDog and for Scotland – despite Gordon Brown’s best efforts, we are working hard to restore our proud nation’s dignity.
“I repeat that I’d like to offer Alex Salmond a high five, perhaps we could even share a Tactical Nuclear Penguin to toast St Andrew’s Day.”
“Beer has a terrible reputation in Britain yet there are rarely any complaints about the ABV of Scotch whisky as the cause of binge drinking.
“It’s ignorant to assume that a beer can’t be enjoyed responsibly like a nice dram or a glass of fine wine – a beer like Tactical Nuclear Penguin should be enjoyed in spirit sized measures.”
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