The ABV Atlas

Gargoyles occupy the busy middle; Griffins are just above it, and they soar there with purpose. Part eagle, part lion, half king of the birds and half king of the beasts, the griffin is a mighty creature, and 5-point-something is a mighty band of beer. This is full-strength beer, which doesn’t have to defend its strength anymore. This is robust and rich, but very approachable. For many drinkers, this is where the best beers actually come from.

The premium standard

While the 4s are the standard choice, the 5s are the upgraded standard. This is where you'll find all the world’s premium lagers and pilsners, traditional continental styles, lots of pale ales and IPAs, fuller bodied stouts and porters, as well as strong Belgian and wheat beers. The additional one percent makes the difference in terms of body, warmth and aromatic notes, so it gives enough room for the hops to show off and for malt to add depth without crossing the line between a drink and a celebration.

The natural home of the IPA

Craft beer’s modern heart beats here. The quintessential American-style IPA – with its dazzling array of hops providing a sharp bitterness balanced by tropical and citrus notes – is frequently a 5-point-something beer, potent enough to handle a huge amount of hops. And so are countless “core range” beers, the flagships that form a brewery’s reputation. Want to know what makes a brewery tick? Their 5.5% pale ale will tell you all you need to know.

Certainty without excess

The Griffin is the perfect marriage of confidence and restraint. They’re big enough to take your breath away but subtle enough not to leave you feeling the same afterwards. You can thank this delicate balance for the success of so many award-winning beers. For many drinkers, it represents the middle ground of brewing: everything a perfect beer could ever be without any regrets.

Below is whatever Hop Horizons has logged in the 5.0–5.9% range, ranked and broken down strength by strength — another deep and richly contested section.