BrewDog vs. Schorschbräu - Strength In Numbers
The race to create the world's strongest beer
For a decade we entered an international ABV race against German brewery Schorschbräu to brew the world’s strongest beer. The back and forth that ensued became the stuff of beer legend. Then in 2021 we collaborated with our old adversary to create Strength in Numbers, a record breaking 57.8% ABV eisbock that was barrel aged for 10 years.
The Making of Strength in Numbers
Strength in Numbers was a 57.8% beer that reached its colossal ABV through the traditional eisbock method, which means freezing the beer and removing chunks of ice (water) so that you're left with the concentrated high ABV liquid. The beer also featured a blend of BrewDog’s own Death or Glory, an ice distilled Belgian golden ale that had been sitting in whisky casks for 10 years.
The Build-up to the collaboration
We created the 32% ABV Tactical Nuclear Penguin in 2009 to steal the title of 'World's Strongest Beer' from Schorschbräu, which led to their 40% ABV effort, counteracted by us again with 41% Sink the Bismarck. In response they ramped up Schorschbock to 43%, to which we struck back with the End of History, a 55% behemoth served in taxidermied squirrels (see above photo). One last 57% Schorschbock stole the crown back until we buried the hatchet and joined forces for this record-making collab.
We only made Strength in Numbers in an extremely limited batch, so if you're interested in trying it you'll need to scour the auction sites. If you're interested in some of our latest amplified releases, browse and buy online below.