One of the reasons beers are such popular alcoholic drinks is their low ABV. However, that does not mean these drinks cannot pack a punch. The times have changed, and beers now come in many different shapes, sizes, and alcohol contents too! There are now beers that sport high ABVs!
With that, allow us to show those beers to you. Without further ado, here is our list of the 14 strongest beers in the USA today!
The 14 Strongest Beers in America
There are many beers out there, all with something to boast about. However, with beers generally having low ABVs, it could be tough to hunt down a bottle or can with a high ABV that you will like. Well, worry not! One or two of our 14 beers today will likely tickle your fancy!
With that, let us get to know our first beer!
1. Avery Brewing Co. Rumpkin
Quick Look:
- Style: Pumpkin Beer
- ABV: 16.5%
Rumpkin is an attractive beer that sports around 16.5% ABV. This beer will lure you in with its vibrant hue of orangey brown. However, it does not stop at pleasing the eyes. This beer can also tickle a palate with its pumpkin spice latte-like flavor and aroma. It is like the famous seasonal drink, only in beer form!
2. Barbarian Brewing the Reserve Morrigan
Quick Look:
- Style: American Imperial Stout
- ABV: 15%
The Reserve Morrigan from Barbarian Brewing offers an enticing black hue and a 15% ABV.
It is a beer a wine lover will likely enjoy. It is a beer, but it boasts wine-like characteristics. This drink contains some grape juice and even gets aged in wine barrels! We will not be surprised if it confuses you at your first sip!
3. Dogfish Head 120-Minute IPA
Quick Look:
- Style: Imperial IPA
- ABV: 18%
120-Minute IPA by Dogfish Head is a beautiful brew and a beer you might have heard of already. It boasts a bright copper hue and an 18% ABV.
In addition, it has a lovely balance of sweetness and bitterness. However, do not forget it has a high alcohol content. While the alcohol might not reach your nose, your tongue will likely detect it at some point. Make sure you prepare yourself!
4. Dogfish Head Higher Math
Quick Look:
- Style: American Strong Ale
- ABV: 17%
Higher Math has a reddish brown hue that fits perfectly for the flavors and aromas it offers. It is an ideal beer for lovers of black forest cakes! Aside from sporting a 17% ABV, this drink also has notes of chocolates and cherries!
5. Dogfish Head World Wide Stout
Quick Look:
- Style: American Imperial Stout
- ABV: 18%
If you are looking for high-ABV beers, you might already know that Dogfish Head has a lot of those. With that, we cannot help ourselves. We did not only include 1, 2, but 3!
World Wide Stout is the beer to get if you want that coffee notes in your drink. Like coffee, this beer sports a lovely hue of black and brown. In addition, like your morning drink, it can also undoubtedly pack a punch with its 18% ABV!
With its high alcohol content, this beer might not be the best drink to bring out often. However, it is one of the beers on this list you should try out if you want something with a high ABV!
6. Duclaw Colossus
Quick Look:
- Style: American Strong Ale
- ABV: 20%
Colossus is one of the strongest beers on this list. However, it is also one of the beers with the weakest presence of alcohol. This drink has around 20% ABV and sports a lovely shade of amber. Its notes offer a wide array of fruits, but you will likely detect some toffee and caramel in there too.
7. Grand Lake Holy Grail
Quick Look:
- Style: American Strong Ale
- ABV: 20%
Holy Grail might be the holy grail of those seeking a beer with high alcohol content but without the strong rubbing alcohol note!
Instead of the strong rubbing alcohol note, this drink has flavors and aromas of fruits, spices, and sweet stuff like toffee and caramel. Of course, we cannot forget to mention the lovely dark amber hue it sports and the staggering 20% ABV it boasts!
8. Hair of the Dog Dave
Quick Look:
- Style: Old Ale
- ABV: 29%
This beer has one of the most peculiar names on this list. Dave. Just Dave. A simple but charming name. Do you not agree? In a way, it feels like calling your buddy. However, we believe it is a fitting name, as this beer might frequent your side. Like a buddy!
Dave might have an assuming name, but do not let that deceive you. This beer has the highest ABV on this list. It has a staggering 29% ABV! In addition to that, this drink also offers smoky and spicy notes. Also, as you might expect, it tastes boozy!
9. Lagerhaus .44 Magnum Ale
Quick Look:
- Style: American Strong Ale
- ABV: 22%
.44 Magnum is a high-alcohol beer that can surprise you in more ways than one. For one, it boasts around 22% ABV, making it one of the strongest beers on this list.
However, it does not end there. While this drink sports a high ABV, you might not detect it! In addition to this beer’s alcohol content and presence, it also boasts a copper color and notes of various fruits.
10. Samuel Adams Millennium
Quick Look:
- Style: American Strong Ale
- ABV: 20%
Samuel Adams Millennium has a deep copper color and around 20% ABV. It might be the best beer to get on this list if you are a fan of fruity baked goods. Aside from its color and ABV, this beer boasts flavors and aromas of chocolate, caramel, fudge, and an assortment of fruits!
With the high ABV, it is not a beer you will likely always want on your glass or pint. However, it is a bottle to try if you want one that will not disappoint!
11. Samuel Adams Utopias
Quick Look:
- Style: American Strong Ale
- ABV: 18%
Utopias boast a reddish hue and around 18% ABV. It may not have the strongest ABV percentage on this list, but it is undoubtedly one of the most popular high-ABV beers.
Also, you do not have to worry! This beer can live up to the hype! This drink is like fall or autumn in a bottle. After all, it offers flavors and aromas of maple syrup, pecan, and walnuts, to only name a few!
12. The Bruery Black Tuesday
Quick Look:
- Style: American Imperial Stout
- ABV: 19.5%
Black Tuesday sports a brownish, almost black, hue. In addition, it has around 19.5% ABV and the usual flavors and aromas stouts offer. However, a good sip, and you will likely also get a taste and a whiff of some spices! It does not end there, though. It is a beer to try if you are all in it for the head!
13. The Bruery Chocolate Rain
Quick Look:
- Style: American Imperial Stout
- ABV: 20%
As the name suggests, Chocolate Rain is a fun beer that sports a black hue with a tinge of brown. In addition, it has a 20% ABV.
As you might expect, this brew offers flavors and aromas associated with, you guessed it, chocolate! It has notes of cocoa powder, dark chocolate, and roasted coffee, to name a few. As you can see, it is literally a chocolate rain in a bottle!
14. The Herkimer Toripuru Triple Bock
Quick Look:
- Style: Doppelbock
- ABV: 23%
Finally, we come to our final beer for today. It might be last on this list, but it is undoubtedly not the least!
First, this bear uses one of the rarer yeasts out there – sake yeasts. In addition, the Toripuru Triple Bock sports a ruby brown color. Again, something you will not often see in beers. Finally, it has a whopping 23% ABV. As you can see, it is really something in more ways than one!
As for the notes, this beer offers fruity flavors and aromas. However, you can be sure that the alcohol is there. It will make itself known immediately!
| Manufacturer | Beer | ABV |
| Avery Brewing Co. | Rumpkin | 16.5% |
| Barbarian Brewing | The Reserve Morrigan | 15% |
|
Dogfish Head |
120-Minute IPA | 18% |
| Higher Math | 17% | |
| World Wide Stout | 18% | |
| Duclaw | Colossus | 20% |
| Grand Lake | Holy Grail | 20% |
| Hair of the Dog | Dave | 29% |
| Lagerhaus | .44 Magnum Ale | 22% |
| Samuel Adams | Millennium | 20% |
| Utopias | 18% | |
| The Bruery | Black Tuesday | 19.5% |
| Chocolate Rain | 20% | |
| The Herkimer | Toripuru Triple Bock | 23% |
Final Words
There you have it! Our list of the 14 strongest beers in the USA! Before you go, you can check out and save this chart if you want a recap or a cheat sheet!
We hope we got to help you today. Feel free to check out our other talks if you have other beer-related questions and concerns! See you!
As a homebrewer, Michael would get frustrated about the lack of brewing information on the internet. After hundreds of gallons of spoilt batches, Micheal had enough. And he founded Unknown Brewing as a resource for homebrewers.