THE DELIGHT OF HIGH-GRAVITY BEER

If your motto is “Go big or go home,” you will probably love the big flavor and strong alcohol content of high-gravity beers. Just remember that they pack a punch, so take your time and sip leisurely!

What is a High-Gravity Beer?

“Gravity” refers to the amount of fermentable sugars present during the beer brewing process. Higher sugar content means more food for the yeast to consume and turn into alcohol.

Brewers take the gravity reading of the unfermented ingredients before adding yeast to them. That original gravity has a number like 1.061 or 1.080, and the higher the gravity, the higher the potential alcohol content of the beer.

Throughout the beer brewing process, brewers keep checking the gravity to make sure it stays consistent. After fermentation is complete, they measure the final gravity of the beer and compare it to the original. The difference between the two numbers shows how much sugar was converted into alcohol.

What’s the Appeal of High-Gravity Beer?

High-gravity beer is not for the faint of heart – it does, after all, have a high percentage of alcohol. But high-gravity brews are perfect for craft beer enthusiasts who love to explore bold flavors and creative combinations. Strong ales, barley wines, imperial porters and imperial stouts are just a few examples that offer a range of bitterness, sweetness, maltiness and fruitiness.

Dogfish Head High-Gravity Beers to Try

120 Minute IPA
Called “the Holy Grail for hopheads,” this beer has 15-20% alcohol by volume (ABV) and balanced flavors of citrus, spice and caramel malt. The 120 Minute IPA goes well with smoked or grilled meats.

World Wide Stout
This dark, complex stout only gets better with age. It has 15-20% ABV and has hints of chocolate molasses, pairing well with dessert.

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