Breweries vie to create world's strongest beer

Enterprising brewers are ratcheting up the stakes with alcohol content that rivals that of whiskey.

When Scottish brewers Martin Dickie and James Watt came up with the cheeky idea to make a beer as potent as whiskey, they couldn't wait to share it with the world.

They didn't know they would trigger an arms race.

But that's what ensued when their brewery, BrewDog, released the first limited-edition bottles of "Tactical Nuclear Penguin," a stout that measures 32% alcohol and was quickly crowned "strongest beer in the world" — for less than a month.

Then the buildup began.

Full story at LAT

Reviews from First Friday April 2010

Thanks to everyone who came out for the 18th "First Friday."

For those who couldn't make it, there's always next month (May 7 @ 8 p.m.).

A run-down of our favorite (and not so favorite) beers from April 2010:

Allagash Tripel Ale
This is really good. A whole lotta flavor
Smooth!
A full meal
It's doable
Delicious. I started with this brew and I'm happy I did.
Bitter

Ayinger Ur-Weisse Bavarian Dunkel Weizen
Trace's favorite beer in the whole world
A little too sour for me
Very good -- Sweet taste at the end
Bananarama-ish

Moe's Backroom Ale
(Tap Room #21 Brewing Co.)
Very good ambler ale

Chambly Noire
Yum!

New Belgium 1554 Enlightened Black Ale
Yum!
Too toasty for me

Belhaven Scottish Ale
Very good!
Fizzy warm

Allagash Tripel Reserve
OK, but not great

Carmel Wheat Beer
It's like a story with no ending. Meh.

P.J. King Wingwalker Winter Brew
Not great

Bitburger
Oh yeah, I love me some ground up liquid beef in my beer... NOT!

Simpler Times Lager
Too 2 Buck Chuck for me
Yuck!