Vancouver's Storm Brewery Releases Canada's Most Expensive and Highest ABV Beer

Storm Brewing, a brewery out of Vancouver, Canada, has released the country’s most expensive and high proof beer—The Glacial Mammoth Extinction. It’s 25% abv, and $1000 per bottle.

That price tag is for the hand-blown glass bottles adorned with prehistoric mammoth ivory pendants. The pendants are finished with a 14k gold clasp. For those not looking to splurge on decorative glassware, growlers of Glacial Mountain Extinction are available at the brewery: $40 for 500ml. Patrons can also purchase 1 oz tastings for $5 (limit is one per person).

The name Glacial Mammoth Extinction comes from the process: James Walton, the head brewer who is considered a craft brew pioneer, starts with a batch of Imperial Flanders Sour Ale. He and his crew bring it down to a temperature of -30 degrees celsius (-22 fahrenheit), creating the ice that lends the beer its name. The ice is then removed, distilling the beer down to a rich, viscous liquid and concentrating its flavors, sugars, and alcohol. It is then aged for two years in French Oak barrels. The resulting malt beverage “resembles Port more than beer”. Only 400 liters of the beverage were produced, so if you live in or near Vancouver, get in there soon before it’s all gone.  

Image by Jon Shaw and courtesy of Storm Brewing