# Max. amt of alcohol possible in brewed beer? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 6, 2001, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-amt-of-alcohol-possible-in-brewed-beer/91803 "2001-11-06T16:14:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![nineiron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e56c9b/32.png) [@nineiron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nineiron)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2001, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-amt-of-alcohol-possible-in-brewed-beer/91803/21 "2001-11-07T03:21:44Z")
Phlosphr– Trust me. It wasn’t an issue of “I haven’t acquired a taste for this stuff and I don’t like it.” It was definitely a case of “this stuff has gone bad.” I can drink some concoctions and say, “Hmmm. This isn’t for me, but I can see its appeal to some people.” I have admittedly not tasted “Fin du Mond” as it was intended. Perhaps if I can acquire a bottle that hasn’t spoiled, I can check back in on the topic. But trust me–this (what I witnessed) is not how the beer was meant to taste. I must say that the bottle was quite attractive, though, and I kept it for that reason alone. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2001, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-amt-of-alcohol-possible-in-brewed-beer/91803/22 "2001-11-07T04:16:14Z")
I don’t like most of the hi octane beers. Even Chimay, which I believe is awesome, I really only like the lowest alcohol version at IIRC 6% and the strong one is 8%. As a homebrewer, champagne yeast survives the greatest amount of alcohol and it’s somewhere around 20%. To get a higher alcohol amount, you’ve got to go through some sort of process. Apple jacking described by Ferrous might work for beer but I’ve never tried it. ---
**Author:** ![k.os](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e0b2c6/32.png) [@k.os](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k.os)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2001, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-amt-of-alcohol-possible-in-brewed-beer/91803/23 "2001-11-07T07:40:03Z")
**Phlosphr** Hmmm… Just curious, is the Fin du Monde you’re drinking brewed by Unibroue? Is [this](http://www.unibroue.com/produits/fin.cfm) the beer you’re talking about? Because if you are, its one of my favourites, and it’s brewed right here in Quebec, Canada! If you can find some of their other beers, like [la maudite](http://www.unibroue.com/produits/maudite.cfm), [la trois pistoles](http://www.unibroue.com/produits/3pistoles.cfm)(my personnal favorite), [l’Eau Bénite](http://www.unibroue.com/produits/eau.cfm), or [Raftman](http://www.unibroue.com/produits/raftman.cfm). All excellent beers. ---
**Author:** ![Badtz\_Maru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@Badtz\_Maru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badtz_Maru)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2001, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-amt-of-alcohol-possible-in-brewed-beer/91803/24 "2001-11-07T08:13:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by beagledave \* > As a side note…breweries are generally prohibited from “promoting” the alcohol level of their beer. I have a friend who opened up a micobrewery…the paperwork from the ATF is unreal. There was a time (not sure if this is still true) when your beer name could not even “suggest” alcohol potency. \*\* I know this was once the case, but many beers now have the percentage of alcohol printed on the label, albeit in small print. Coors Banquet Beer is one of these (5%). ---
**Author:** ![Izzardesque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a9adbd/32.png) [@Izzardesque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Izzardesque)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2001, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-amt-of-alcohol-possible-in-brewed-beer/91803/25 "2001-11-07T11:55:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by keithnmick \* > \*\*in Sheffield England I frequented an establishment that produced (at the time) what it claimed was the strongest beer in the world. The Frog and Parrot in Sheffiels - Jolly Roger Ale - about 16 - 18% if I recall correctly. The details are a bit hazy, but after a friend and I drank three small glasses each we were given certificates, which we manbaged to lose that night. \*\* Isn’t it ‘Owd Roger’ not ‘Jolly Roger’? Had it myself - not a big fan of the strong beers - not too bad in lagers, but ale just doesn’t taste right after about 6-7% if you ask me ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2001, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-amt-of-alcohol-possible-in-brewed-beer/91803/26 "2001-11-07T16:20:49Z")
AAHH YES **k.os** Fin du Monde _is_ brewed in Quebec, and **la maudite** and **la trois pistoles** as well are wondrous beers. I have actually been to the Unibroue brewery up in Chambly, Quebec. That was last year, it was magnificent. I will go out on a limb here and venture to say, that **Unibroue** produces some of the best beer outside those of the old school breweries back in Europe. Check this site out, it is in French but it also has the English translation. [http://www.unibroue.com/index.cfm](http://www.unibroue.com/index.cfm) It is the official site for Unibroue and lists lots of different facts on all of their wonderful brews and has a schedule for the new brews coming out. What a wonderful place… tidbit. as listed by **nineiron** I completely understand what happened to you, as I have had the same thing happen to me. I opened one of the 750ml corked bottle of Fin du Monde and it was ‘bunk’. The fermentation process that **Unibroue** uses is must be a less filter type system. I do not and have not ever brewed my own beer, but if you look at the beer in a glass you can see the particles in it and even see some sediment (don’t know if thats the right word) on the bottom of the glass. But nineiron I have definitely had that happen, and I did not want to convey a sentiment that you did not aquire the taste for it, not at all…Drink and be merry!!! Very Merry!! ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2001, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-amt-of-alcohol-possible-in-brewed-beer/91803/27 "2001-11-08T00:40:42Z")
_ **I** _ wanted to be the one to point out that _La fin du Monde_ was a Quebec brew! I love Unibroue products too. Good stuff, but I can’t seem to get it here. I’d have to order it ☹ ---
**Author:** ![detop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@detop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/detop)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2001, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-amt-of-alcohol-possible-in-brewed-beer/91803/28 "2001-11-08T04:07:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Phlosphr \* > **tidbit. as listed by nineiron I completely understand what happened to you, as I have had the same thing happen to me. I opened one of the 750ml corked bottle of Fin du Monde and it was ‘bunk’. The fermentation process that Unibroue uses is must be a less filter type system. I do not and have not ever brewed my own beer, but if you look at the beer in a glass you can see the particles in it and even see some sediment (don’t know if thats the right word) on the bottom of the glass.** It is because it is brewed on lees. There is still residual active yeast in it, causing more fermentation after bottling. They are definitely the type of beers you want to drink when they are young. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-amt-of-alcohol-possible-in-brewed-beer/91803.md?page=1)