The ABV Atlas

It is here that the Atlas switches from one set of species to another. What follows is not any sort of animal at all but rather a giant: an element itself, a mountain — now something to endure, not battle with. Leading the giants are the Frost Giants — the jötnar of the ancient north, great beings of ice and tempests who predate the gods. And 8-point-something is genuinely winter beer: rich and warming, meant for the cold nights.

The warming-and-strong core

This is the place where many of the best big styles of beer are made. It is here that the reign of the imperial stout, the rich, dark, thick beer with notes of chocolate, coffee and fruit, starts. Here comes the barleywine with its huge malt flavors. Quadrupel ales from Belgium and other strong ales add the warmth and flavor of dried fruits. They are not refreshing beers and do not strive to be.

And it is here where the Atlas goes from one range of beers to another. There are no small creatures here at all but rather the giants — elements themselves, mountains — something that should be endured, not fought against. The giants are led by the Frost Giants — the jötnar of old north, great and mighty creatures of the ice and tempests who lived before the gods. And 8-point-something is truly winter beer — strong and warm, suitable for the freezing nights.

The warming and strong core

And here is where many of the best big beers are brewed. It is here where the era of the imperial stout, the strong, dark, thick beer with hints of chocolate, coffee and fruits begins. Here come the barleywines with their powerful malts. Here are the quadrupels, Belgian strong ales with a taste of the dried fruits. They are not refreshing beers, and they do not intend to be.

Below is whatever Hop Horizons has logged in the 8.0–8.9% range, ranked and broken down strength by strength.