25 replies to this topic

[ChefLamont]

That process is actually and technically called fractional crystallization, but it is similar to distillation in that it is separating the parts using its physical properties. In this case freezing point rather than boiling point.While that is a pretty amazing effort and idea and all, I agree that it is kinda wrong to give it the strongest beer in the world title. my $0.02

[JoshLikesBeer]

That process is actually and technically called fractional crystallization, but it is similar to distillation in that it is separating the parts using its physical properties. In this case freezing point rather than boiling point.

It's also similar to distillation in the eyes of the law. It's perfectly OK as a homebrewer to make a 12% barley wine, but if you make an 8% eisbock then you are a moonshiner as far as the TTB is concerned.

[ChefLamont]

It's also similar to distillation in the eyes of the law. It's perfectly OK as a homebrewer to make a 12% barley wine, but if you make an 8% eisbock then you are a moonshiner as far as the TTB is concerned.

Very true. Good point.

[drewseslu]

It's like climbing Mt. Everest. Adding booze would be like being helicoptered to the summit. Sure, you still get there, but the achievement isn't there. And to claim you're the best climber afterward is well, cheating.The point of the ludicrously alcoholic beers is simply to see how far we can get by yeast alone, at least for Sam Adams Utopias. It's *definitely* not so weez can getz CRunK!!!1, but to see what brewers can achieve.Was there a point to climbing Mt. Everest? Did it help the common man, walking uphill somewhere? No. It's just a testament to human achievement, just like SA Utopias is a testament to brewing.

It wouldn't take much 27.6% beer to get drunk on the highest summit on Everst, would it?

[japh]

It's like climbing Mt. Everest. Adding booze would be like being helicoptered to the summit. Sure, you still get there, but the achievement isn't there. And to claim you're the best climber afterward is well, cheating.

Or, in this guy's case, he got really close before calling in the helicopter

[Stout_fan]

It's also similar to distillation in the eyes of the law. It's perfectly OK as a homebrewer to make a 12% barley wine, but if you make an 8% eisbock then you are a moonshiner as far as the TTB is concerned.

According to James Spencer of Basic Brewing Radio, the TTB considers home brew freeze concentration legal. Distillation (heat, evaporate and condense is still illegal).