Samuel Adams Utopias: 28% Beer Illegal in 15 US States Re-Released for its 10th Anniversary
Is $200 too much for a beer?
By Chelsea Ritschel, In New York
December 22, 2017
A beer so strong it’s illegal across America is being re-released for its 10th anniversary.
Described by its creator as “the craft beer community’s most renowned and sought-after extreme barrel-aged beer,” Utopias is not just any beer.
Created by Samuel Adams, Utopias is distinct – and very alcoholic, thanks in part to a strain of yeast called “ninja yeast.”
“At 28% ABV (alcohol by volume), this brew is reminiscent of a rich vintage Port, old cognac, or fine Sherry with notes of dark fruit, subtle sweetness, and a deep rich malty smoothness,” so basically, not like your typical Sam Adams beer at all.
And it doesn’t cost the same as your typical beer either.
Because Utopias is made with the “world’s finest ingredients,” according to the press release, including multiple varieties of hops and malts, a bottle of the beer retails for $200 (£149).
It’s also quite difficult to secure a bottle – only 13,000 bottles of Utopias are brewed, every two years – and the “the first bottles of Utopias bottles can be found in the hands of Samuel Adams employees,” according to the Samuel Adams website.
“Since Utopias was first released, each bottle number corresponds with when each employee was hired, making Founder and Brewer Jim Koch number 1 and Brewer Dean Gianocostas number 2.”. Sounds like a pretty great holiday bonus.
If are willing to shell out the cash for the beer, the good news is it will probably last you a while.
Because the alcohol content is so outrageously high, the recommended serving size is just one ounce – meaning your $200 bottle of beer should last you longer than the length of one football game.
The craft beer is illegal in 15 US states
That is unless you live in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, or West Virginia – as all of these states have banned the sale of the beer.
But if the beer is not illegal where you live, and you have the money to blow, the Utopias 10th anniversary brew is officially on sale.