A Warwickshire tasting room has begun serving what is believed to be Britain's most expensive draught pint, with a staggering price tag of £75 per pint.
The Stratford-upon-Avon Exclusive
The venue, Ya-Bard in Stratford-upon-Avon, is offering an exceptionally strong 21% ABV American Blessed Stout. Due to its potency, it is sold in a 189ml measure – a third of a pint – for £25, which equates to the eye-watering £75 pint price.
Proprietor Dave Moore, 53, explained the beer's rarity. His barrel is one of only two available outside the United States, meaning just 100 customers will get the chance to sample it. "I think it could definitely be one of, or actually, Britain's most expensive stouts," Moore stated.
A Labour of Love: The Brewing Process
This is no ordinary beer. The creation of Blessed Stout involves a monumental amount of work and time.
The brewing process itself takes approximately one year. This is followed by an extensive 33-month ageing period in premium bourbon barrels from Heaven Hill and Russell Reserve. During this maturation, the beer is infused with flavours of coconut and vanilla.
"The amount of work that has gone into this beer is out of this world," said Moore. "It's a very small batch beer... One of my wholesalers sourced some bottles, and once we tasted it, we said this is one of the best stouts we've ever had."
An Experience, Not Just a Drink
Given its immense strength – around five times stronger than a typical stout – consumption is strictly limited. "We're only selling it in third pints because it's not for everyone," Dave Moore explained. "It's strong and it isn't for everyone."
The resulting beverage boasts an intense bourbon aroma with notes of rich dark chocolate. It has a velvety, comforting flavour with a rich texture and a subtle spicy finish.
Moore acknowledges the price will surprise people but frames it as a unique opportunity. "I can understand the price might raise an eyebrow. But it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, it's an experience to savour one of the rarest beers in the world," he said. "A very nice glass of Rioja might set you back £20 or £25. To me this is another level of quality, a niche product."
To add to the experience, customers who purchase the stout will also receive a Blessed-branded glass to keep as a souvenir. Dave Moore's final verdict on the beer leaves little room for doubt: "It's the best stout, possibly the best beer, I've ever tasted. The complexity of the flavours is extraordinary."
