High stakes and higher ABV: What does the 26 per cent stout at Nottingham’s beer festival really taste like?

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Eventgoers swarmed the Liquid Light Brewing Company's bar to try their coveted 26% stout - "Terror from the Sky"

At this year’s Robin Hood Beer and Cider Festival, Sneinton brewery Liquid Light unveiled the strongest beer in the 47 year history of the event. Tommy Bonnet suspended his tatebuds’ disbelief and went to find out if its bark is backed up by a flavourful bite.

It’s the first time local brewing company Liquid Light have had their own bar at the annual Robin Hood Beer and Cider Festival, and they’ve instantly become a main attraction.

Their 26 per cent stout – the brilliantly-named “Terror from the Sky” – is now king of the ABV arms race that has ramped up among brewers over the years.

The previous record of the strongest beer to be sold at the festival was held by the absurd yet-also-somehow aptly named “Grounds for Divorce” which was 23 per cent and came from Navigation Brewery.

Inside the TBI marquee at the festival – look for a crowd. They are probably surrounding the Liquid Light bar, waiting to get a chance to try it.

The inconspicuous “Terror from the Sky” in hand at the Robin Hood beer festival.

Only four 36-pint casks are up for grabs, with one cask being loaded per day. Sensibly, it’s available only in third-pint measures. On Wednesday the cask was sold out within a couple hours of my arrival at 2pm.

Costing eight festival tokens per third it is described as having a ‘Rich chocolatey flavour, roasty finish’.

It looks no different to other stouts, but knowing the percentage I went into it expecting the worst.

However, it was deceptive, it was creamy, and a lot tastier than you would expect for a 26 per cent beer.

The third-pint measures do make sense for another reason which becomes apparent once you try it. It is very sweet. The general consensus when speaking to those who tried it was very positive; everyone seemed to enjoy it.

It’s going to be hard to get, but it’s worth a try and unlike any beer I’ve tried before.

If 26 per cent isn’t your speed, there are more than 600 other lower percentage beers to choose from at the festival.

You could perhaps enjoy them while watching other visitors try to cope with “Terror from the Sky” without ending up bowled over in the Trent Bridge outfield.

 

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