Brewdog brings craft beer from Scotland to the States

(Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, Scotland) – Right near the tippity top of Scotland lies a craft brewery just over a year old. Still, in just a short time, Brewdog has earned a reputation for making some pretty damn good ales including the top-rated beer in Scotland, Brewdog Paradox Grain (Batch 002), according to RateBeer. Lucky for Americans, Preiss Imports has brought these beers to the U.S. over the last few months, and they are now making their way across the country to select locations.

Last week, there were reports that the beer is now available in St. Louis and parts of Pennsylvania. However, label approvals began filtering in late last year and the beers have been available in California among other places on a limited basis for quite some time. So what is the brewery offering to U.S. consumers?

Most notable of the new imports are the Brewdog Paradox Series beers, a group limited release imperial stouts aged in Scottish single malt whiskey casks, all of which have been earning considerable acclaim in recent beer ratings. The Paradox Series uses casks from two regions, Islay and Speyside. The Islay versions of the beer have accents of ‘peat and smoke’ while the Speyside brews, according to the sell sheet [pdf] read, “All fudge, spice and citrus fruits on the nose[...]” The brewery has also brought over another Imperial Stout called Riptide which won at the 2007 World Beer Awards. [ed: Surprisingly, I haven't heard of these awards?]

Approval just came through last week for Paradox Glen Grant, aged in 1972 casks. Additionally, the brewery got approval in early March for the aforementioned Brewdog Paradox Grain though it isn’t clear as to whether this beer has actually made its way to the States yet. Some of the others now distributed in the U.S. include an IPA, a double IPA, and an award-winner amber ale.

A visit to the site shows some other interesting details such as one of the most expensive non-auction beers we’ve ever seen and a feud with a UK social organization dedicated to the issues surrounding alcohol consumption. You have to read it to believe it:

PIPC considered Rip Tide to be in potential breach of Code rule 3.2b for the following reason:“The product is described as a “twisted merciless stout” associating its consumption with anti-social behaviour”

PIPC considered Hop Rocker to be in potential breach of Code rule 3.2j for the following reason “Description of the product includes “nourishing foodstuff” and “magic is still there to be extracted from this drink” implying it could enhance mental or physical capabilities”

PIPC considered Punk IPA to be in potential breach of Code rule 3.2b for the following reason:“This product is described as an “aggressive beer” thus associating its consumption with anti-social behaviour”

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