Low alcohol beer called Nanny State launched

UK independent craft brewer BrewDog has launched a 1.1% beer called Nanny State in direct response to the outcry caused last month after launching Tokyo* (The Drinks Report July 09), the UK’s strongest beer at 18.2% abv.

The brewery has come under fire from Members of the Scottish Parliament and the Portman Group – who have both commenced official movements to ban the sale of Tokyo* in the UK.

Through Nanny State, the founders of BrewDog, James Watt and Martin Dickie want to prove they’re committed to making the highest quality hand crafted ales full of flavour with contemporary innovative twists – no matter what the alcohol strength.

BrewDog founder James Watt has written in his blog: “Anyone who knows BrewDog, knows beer, or anyone has more common sense than a common (or garden) gnome will know that the scathing and unrelenting criticism we faced was pretty unjustified.

“If logic serves the same people who witch-hunted and publicly slated us should now offer us heartfelt support and public congratulations. However I fear that this, unfortunately, is an arena devoid of logic and reason.”

The company says Nanny State is mild imperial ale containing more hops per barrel than any other beer ever brewed in the UK. "It is an extraordinary little ale jammed full of all the brewer’s favorite hops giving it as much body and mouthy feel as possible, ensuring that low strength does not translate into reduced flavour".

Nanny State, takes the low ABV hop-bomb concept to the next level and is so low in alcohol it is below the legal classification of beer and not strong enough to be subject to beer duty.

Nanny State is available now in limited quantities online at www.brewdog.com in cask and bottles for £2.49

September, 2009

1 September 2009 - Felicity Murray