The Ya-Bard tasting room in Stratford-upon-Avon charges punters £25 for a 189ml glass of the super strong American Blessed Stout – the equivalent of £75 a pint
A pub is flogging Britain’s priciest draught beer at a staggering £75 per pint.
The Ya-Bard in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, is serving up the potent 21% ABV American Blessed Stout in third of a pint glasses due to its strength. The establishment charges customers £25 for a 189ml glass – equivalent to £75 for a full pint. Pub owner Dave Moore, 53, claims his keg is one of only two outside the US and that just 100 lucky punters will get the chance to savour a sip.
He said: “I think it could definitely be one of, or actually, Britain’s most expensive stouts. It’s a very small batch beer and the amount of work that has gone into this beer is out of this world. The beer would take around a year to make and then the aging is 33 months. It’s aged on Heaven Hill bourbon and Russell Reserve barrels with coconut and vanilla. One of my wholesalers sourced some bottles of Blessed and once we tasted it, we said this is one of the best stouts we’ve ever had.”
The extensive ageing process imparts the brew with a robust bourbon aroma and afternotes of dark chocolate. Due to its high alcohol content – five times stronger than most stouts – Dave says drinkers will be limited on how much they can consume. He added: “We’re only selling it in third pints because it’s not for everyone. I think it might sell out but it’s a bit niche. It’s strong and it isn’t for everyone.”
The stout is brewed for a year before being barrel-aged in bourbon casks for three years. It has a smooth, warming taste with a thick consistency and a slight hint of spice.
Dave added: “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. A very nice glass of Rioja might set you back £20 or £25. To me this is another level of quality, a niche product. And customers will get a Blessed glass to keep. It’s the best stout, possibly the best beer, I’ve ever tasted. The complexity of the flavours is extraordinary.”
