World's strongest beer launched

Phew! A 40% abv brew — billed as the world's strongest beer — is now available in the UK.

Schorschbock is a lager from German craft brewer Schorschbräu, which — unsurprisingly — specialises is stronger brews. It's home is Oberasbach, in the middle of the Franconia's lake region.

It's available in these shores from Glasgow-based brewery West, which is headed by Franconian Petra Wetzel.

She said: "The Schorschbock has a totally unique flavour that will appeal to any beer connoisseur. Due to its exceptional strength and rarity, we are restricting sales of Schorschbock to one measure per customer."

Schorschbock is produced through Schorschbräu's own proprietary fermentation process. It includes a rarely-used method for producing ice bock, supplemented by extended cold-lagering for a minimum of six months.

Schorschbock's rival for the strongest beer crown is also available from Scotland — the 32% abv Tactical Nuclear Penguin from Aberdeenshire's BrewDog.

The brew from the controversial Scottish microbrewer came under heavy criticism from the health lobby when it was launched late last year.