He'Brew: The Chosen Beer--Jewbilation Sweet 16

He'Brew: The Chosen Beer--Jewbilation Sweet 16 is a wildly strong beer brewed in Saratoga Springs, New York by the Schmaltz Brewing Company. The "16" theme is heavily represented on the 650mL bottle and in the beer itself. It is brewed using 16 varieties of malt, matched against 16 of hops. It contains a massive 16% alcohol. Plus, the bottle features a number of quotes, facts, and miscellany involving the number 16. It's even certified kosher.

Jewbilation Sweet 16 is very dark, almost black, opaque, and topped with a thick, brown head. It leaves behind tonnes of lace in the glass. Sweet aromatics of fig and raisin complement a strong malt presence.

This stuff drinks like a very malty imperial stout. There is a very complex nest of flavours, including:

• sweet, dark fruit;
• cocoa;
• tobacco;
• coffee;
• port; and, not surprisingly;
• booze.

The finish is surprisingly bitter and lingers for quite a while.

Jewbilation Sweet 16 is great to warm you up on a cold day. I washed it down with a cheap cigar, which was quite pleasant. This stuff is unapologetically bold--at 16%, it's possibly the strongest beer that I have ever sampled.

This stuff is highly recommended. It's a really robust and fascinating beer, though it's definitely too strong to buy and consume more than occasionally.

Rating: 9.0 out of 10.