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Key takeaways
What is the Strongest Beer in the World?
The strongest beer in the world right now is Beithir Fire, with an astonishing 75% ABV.
That’s stronger than most spirits you’ll find behind the bar. And this is where things get interesting.
Many of these ultra-high ABV “beers” are made using freeze distillation. This process removes water after fermentation, concentrating the alcohol. The result? A drink that technically starts as beer, but ends up behaving more like a spirit.
So while Beithir Fire holds the title, it sits right on the edge of what most people would consider beer.
What Counts as a “Strong Beer”? (ABV Explained)
ABV (Alcohol by Volume) tells you how much alcohol is in your beer, shown as a percentage. The higher the ABV, the stronger the beer.
Here’s a simple way to think about it:
Most beers you’ll find at the pub sit comfortably in that 4-6% range. That’s where balance, flavour, and drinkability come together.
Naturally brewed beer, however, has a limit. Yeast struggles to survive beyond 12–14% ABV, which means most beers simply can’t go higher without help.
That’s why the extreme beers you see on “strongest beer” lists are so unusual. They often rely on additional processes to push beyond what traditional brewing allows.
Top 10 Strongest Beers in the World (Ranked)
How are These Ultra-Strong Beers Made?
Brewing a beer above 20%, 30%, or even 70% ABV isn’t possible through normal methods alone. So how do brewers do it?
They use a mix of techniques to push beer beyond its natural limits.
1. Freeze distillation (Eisbock method) - This is the most common approach. The beer is frozen, then the ice (mostly water) is removed. What’s left behind is a more concentrated liquid with higher alcohol. It’s how many of the world’s strongest beers reach extreme ABVs.
2. Special yeast selection - Brewers use highly resilient yeast strains that can survive in higher alcohol environments. Even then, yeast usually struggles beyond 12-14% ABV without help.
3. Sugar concentration - Extra sugars are added during brewing to give yeast more to ferment. More sugar = more potential alcohol, up to a point.
These methods don’t just make beer stronger. They fundamentally change it. The result is often thicker, sweeter, and far more intense than a typical pint.
Important to know: Some of these beers are technically closer to fortified or concentrated drinks than traditional beer. They start as beer, but the process takes them well beyond standard brewing.
Are These Really Beers - Or Just Spirits in Disguise?
This is where things get a bit controversial. Traditional beer is made through fermentation alone. Yeast converts sugars into alcohol, and that’s it. No shortcuts.
But many ultra-strong beers don’t stop there.
Some use freeze distillation to concentrate alcohol after brewing. Others push the limits so far that the final product behaves more like a spirit than a pint.
In fact, a few of the beers on this list exceed the strength of whisky. At that point, you’re not sipping casually. You’re measuring small pours, just like you would with a spirit.
There’s also ongoing debate around whether any alcohol is added during production. While most high-ABV beers rely on concentration rather than direct addition, the end result still sits far outside what most people expect from beer.
The takeaway: The “strongest beer in the world” is impressive, but it’s not a typical beer experience. It’s a category of its own.
What Strong Beer Actually Tastes Like
So what do these ultra-strong beers actually taste like?
In a word: intense.
Most lean heavily towards:
You might pick up hints of caramel, dark fruit, or roasted malt. But the alcohol is always front and centre.
They’re also not designed for pints. These beers are typically:
Strong Beers You Can Actually Enjoy (And Brew)
Extreme beers are fascinating. But they’re not what most people actually want to drink.
The real sweet spot sits between 4% and 10% ABV. This is where beer still feels like beer. Balanced, flavourful, and genuinely enjoyable by the pint.
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
These styles give you depth without overwhelming alcohol. You get flavour, aroma, and drinkability in one glass. And this is exactly where homebrewing comes into its own.
With Pinter’s simple home-brewing system, you’re not chasing extremes. You’re brewing fresh, well-balanced beer at home, right in that perfect strength range.
Can You Brew Strong Beer at Home?
Yes, and it’s far more achievable than most people think.
Home brewing gives you full control over strength, flavour, and freshness. You’re not relying on mass production or long storage. You’re brewing beer the way it’s meant to be enjoyed - fresh.
Deep Shade Coffee Imperial Stout (9.0% ABV)
Take Deep Shade Coffee Imperial Stout (9.0% ABV), one of the boldest beers you can brew at home with Pinter.
It pours jet black with a velvety tan head, delivering layers of espresso, dark chocolate, and molasses. The body is smooth and rich, balanced by caramelised sugar and roasted malt, with a lingering warmth that builds as you sip.
Brewing is straightforward, too:
And because it’s Fresh Beer, you’re drinking it exactly when it’s at its best. No packaging. No quality drop.
Here’s what Will Kirkham, Pinter Head Brewer, has to say about strong beers:
When it comes to fortified beers vs traditionally brewed strong beers, we’ll always lean towards the traditional side. There’s a real craft to building strength through fermentation alone. It takes balance, patience, and control. You’re not just increasing alcohol. You’re shaping flavour, body, and drinkability all at once.
Fortified or heavily concentrated beers can be exciting. They push boundaries. But they often lose that sense of harmony along the way.
Will Kirkham
Pinter Head Brewer
Okay, yes, we know the most obvious question: How does Pinter work? Here you go.
Final Thoughts: Strength isn’t Everything
The world’s strongest beers are impressive. They showcase innovation, creativity, and just how far brewing can be pushed. But strength alone doesn’t define a great beer.
The beers people come back to are the ones that offer balance, flavour, and drinkability. The kind you can pour, share, and genuinely enjoy, not just tick off a list.
That’s where real brewing shines. Not at 70% ABV, but in that sweet spot where everything works together.
If you want to experience that for yourself, Pinter makes it simple to brew fresh, flavour-packed beer.
FAQs
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About the author
Simon Mawbey
Brand Director
Simon Mawbey is Pinter’s Brand Director and a brewing expert who lives and breathes great beer. He’s here to share that know-how so you can craft fresh, pub-quality brews right at home.