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Snake Venom Beer: The Strongest Beer in the World?

This beer bites

Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash

When you crack open a beer, you probably want it to be crisp and cold. You might also want a hoppy taste or a malty finish. Maybe a bit of citrus or spice. But what if your pint was more like a glass of whisky?

Meet Snake Venom Beer, one of the strongest beers on the market. Brewed by Scottish distillery Brewmeister, this extremely potent brew has a massive 67.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) content.

Since it was first released, it’s caused controversy, curiosity, and a whole lot of hangovers worldwide. It (Snake Venom Beer) came across as a reel on my Instagram handle that intrigued me to research and write about it.

How Is Snake Venom Made?

Traditional beers typically have 4–8% ABV, though some “imperial” brews can top 10%. Snake Venom’s staggering potency is the result of a process called freeze distillation, in which a beer is frozen and then defrosted repeatedly.

As ice crystals (which are mostly water) are removed, the alcoholic content is concentrated. This produces a much higher ABV than you would expect from a traditional brew.

Snake Venom is made with champagne yeast and ale yeast to allow it to ferment to higher levels and is then infused with peat malt (for a smoky finish, as well as a nod to the brand’s Scottish roots).

This process yields a thick, syrupy brew with a warm, burning aftertaste that’s more akin to a distilled spirit than an India Pale Ale (IPA) or lager.

Picture Source: https://www.htfw.com/brewmeister-snake-venom-world-s-strongest-beer

What Does Snake Venom Taste Like?

I haven’t tasted it so far, but from my research, it doesn’t really taste like beer at all.

Described by some as malty, sweet, and “absurdly strong,” Snake Venom is not a beer to wash down a burger in the pub. It’s the kind of brew you sip (or at least experience) — and in tiny quantities, to be sure.

Most brewers recommend serving no more than 35ml at a time. That’s two and a half tablespoons.

Is Snake Venom Safe to Drink?

Yes, but you have to be careful.

Snake Venom Beer comes with a warning label, and it is usually sold in small bottles (275ml or 330ml). Again, this is because of its ABV. It’s a dangerous and potent brew that should be sipped like a shot or digestif, rather than drunk like a regular beer.

This is one of those novelty brews for the beer connoisseur or collector, not a batch to stock up on for your next house party.

How to Buy Snake Venom Beer?

Snake Venom is not available at your local supermarket. Instead, it’s sold online through speciality alcohol sellers (or, you know, Brewmeister’s own website).

Be careful: due to the high ABV, it is not legal to ship to some countries. You should also be aware that, because of its uniqueness, Snake Venom is pretty expensive: typically around £50–£70 ($60–$90) per bottle.

The Bottom Line

Snake Venom Beer is not a beer for the faint-hearted.

Rather, it’s a very special and extreme example of how brewing can be taken to its limits, occupying the space between curiosity and craft.

Whether you drink it as a novelty, collect it as a talking point, or gift it to a daring friend, Snake Venom is sure to be remembered. Just don’t drink too much: this beer bites.

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