Complex flavors, extreme ABV levels characterize the heaviest beers in craftland

By Kristen Kuchar

A craft beer generally ranges from 4 percent to 7 percent alcohol by volume (ABV), which is the percentage of alcohol in it. While the average is 5 percent ABV, many breweries produce strong, high-alcohol beers at more than 10 percent ABV. Barleywines, Belgian dark strong ales, imperial stouts and Belgian golden strong ales are a few examples of styles that typically weigh in at double-digit alcohol content. Generally meant to be sipped and savored slowly (it’s double or more the alcohol of the average beer after all), there are certainly differences to these big brews.

Charlie Gottenkieny, co-founder of Bruz Beers, says for the most part, high-gravity beers use the same ingredients as lower-alcohol beers, just more of them. “The more malted barley and brewing sugar you use, the stronger your beer will ultimately be,” he says.

They appeal to many consumers because high-alcohol beers tend to be rich, interesting and drinkable, he says. “So, many like strong beers for their complex flavors, and their ability to develop over time in the bottle or can.”

He adds that most big beers, especially Belgians, are considerably more complex than lighter beers, with a broader range of spicy phenols (think clove or pepper) and fruity esters (think peaches, bananas, cherries). “The high alcohol also adds a bitterness that reduces the need for bittering hops.”

“Higher alcohol beers are more full-bodied than lighter beers, which can be especially nice during the cooler months,” he says.

Laura Worley, managing director and co-owner of Burns Family Artisan Ales, says that because many strong beers can be aged, it creates a new and fun interactive experience with beer, in much the same way that people enjoy cellaring wine.

“The popularity of higher alcohol beers, we hope, is because people have great experiences sipping on them,” she says, adding that despite the higher price point of bigger beers, many people feel that it’s a great value because of the intense flavor, depth and the potential of a great conversation to be had over a glass with friends.

Here are some examples of high-alcohol beers in Colorado:

Barrel-Aged Yeti | Great Divide Brewing Company

12.5 percent ABV

Great Divide Brewing Company marketing manager Matt Sandy explains that for a higher ABV beer like Barrel Aged Yeti Imperial Stout, the recipe employs higher volumes of the ingredients used for the regular Yeti Imperial Stout (which already hits at 9.5 percent ABV). “More specialty grains equate to more fermentable sugars, which in turn leads to a beer that is higher in alcohol content,” Sandy says. “Then we age it in whiskey barrels which increases the ABV even more.”

Turning The Beets | Bull & Bush Brewery

10 percent ABV

Turning The Beets is a Belgian-Style Tripel brewed with turnips and beets. The brew is aged in used Oloroso Sherry barrels from Spain.

Snowed In Coconut Stout | Copper Kettle Brewing Co.

12.5 percent ABV

Snowed In Coconut Stout is barrel aged for a minimum of six months, the coconut is toasted in-house, and the brewer works with a local roaster for the coffee for mocha. “All in all, this is one of the most hands-on beers I’ve personally ever made,” says head brewer Greg Moore. “The result is a huge beer that is velvety smooth and bursting with flavor.”

Quadrupel | Bruz Beers

10 percent ABV

Bruz Beers produces artisanal Belgian-style ales and other Belgian-inspired brews. The Quadrupel is a dark Abbey-style ale with flavors of figs, dates and caramel.

Honey Orange Tripel | New Belgium Brewing

10 percent ABV

For the Honey Orange Tripel, New Belgium sourced wild honey from the African Bronze Honey Company. Fort Collins business Old Town Spice Shop helps grind fresh Seville orange peels for the brew as well, resulting in a citrusy Belgian-style beer.

Medianoche | WeldWerks Brewing

10-15 percent ABV

The Medianoche series from WeldWerks Brewing has become a highly sought-after Imperial Stout, each batch ranging from 10-15 percent ABV. There were over 30 Medianoches made last year, mostly for taproom releases but also for events. Little Man Salted Oreo Medianoche, Coconut Medianoche, Medianoche Antique and Birthday Medianoche are just a handful of the past variations.

Zero Over Zero | Burns Family Artisan Ale

15.9 percent ABV

For Zero Over Zero, Burns Family Artisan Ales teamed up with River North Brewery. This imperial stout is aged in oak barrels from Leopold Brothers bourbon barrels. The end result is roast, oak, vanilla and caramel.

Cherry Chocolate Imperial Stout | Dry Dock

13 percent ABV

Dry Dock’s Cherry Chocolate Imperial Stout has a base malt of Maris Otter 2-row malt that is imported from the UK, and specialty grains in the beer are also imported from England. “The barrel aging mellows the beer and rounds off its edges and adds the notes of vanilla and wood we want in the beer,” says owner Kevin DeLange.

George T. Stagg Here Be Monsters | Cerebral Brewing

13.8 percent ABV

While Cerebral Brewing’s Here Be Monsters is typically aged in a blend of barrels, this particular one is kept in George T. Stagg barrels, a bold, high-rye bourbon in Buffalo Trace’s Antique Collection. The Imperial Stout is aged for 27 months and has notes of vanilla caviar, cherry cordial and campfire marshmallow.

Kristen Kuchar is a freelance writer covering food, libations, music and other Colorado gatherings.

This article appeared in the January-February issue of our print magazine. Click here to read the full magazine online.