The Ya-Bard pub in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, has introduced the most expensive draught beer in Britain, priced at an astonishing £75 per pint. This exclusive offering is the American Blessed Stout, boasting a potent 21% alcohol by volume (ABV). Customers can enjoy this unique stout in third of a pint glasses, with each glass costing £25, equivalent to £75 for a full pint. Pub owner Dave Moore, aged 53, mentioned that the keg serving this rare brew is one of only two outside the US, and only 100 fortunate patrons will have the opportunity to taste it.
Describing the beer-making process, Dave expressed his belief that the American Blessed Stout could potentially be one of the priciest stouts in Britain. The beer is a result of meticulous craftsmanship, taking approximately a year to brew and aging for 33 months in Heaven Hill bourbon and Russell Reserve barrels infused with coconut and vanilla. Dave’s excitement was evident as he shared that after tasting this stout, it was deemed one of the best they had ever experienced.
Due to the extensive aging process, the American Blessed Stout exudes a rich bourbon aroma and offers complex flavors of dark chocolate. With an alcohol content five times higher than most stouts, customers will be limited in their consumption. The pub has chosen to serve this exceptional brew in third-pint glasses, acknowledging that it may not appeal to everyone due to its strength and distinctive taste profile.
After being brewed for a year, the American Blessed Stout undergoes a three-year barrel aging process in bourbon casks, resulting in a smooth, warming taste with a thick texture and a subtle spiced finish.
Dave defended the high price of the stout, emphasizing that it is a rare opportunity to indulge in one of the world’s scarcest beers. He compared it to the experience of savoring a fine glass of Rioja, noting that the American Blessed Stout offers a level of quality and uniqueness that surpasses conventional beverages. Customers purchasing the stout will also receive a keepsake Blessed glass. Dave concluded by praising the beer’s exceptional quality and extraordinary flavor complexity, deeming it possibly the best he has ever tasted.