What is High Gravity Beer?

High Gravity Beer is a long-standing European tradition but it's growing in popularity in the U.S. South Carolina has a special interest as a recent law now allows sales of high gravity beer. High Gravity simply means specialty craft beers with an increased weight of sugar and gravity "pull" in the fermentation process. They are higher in alcohol because they contain more sugar and other ingredients at the start of the brewing process.

High gravity beers are not crafted with the sole intent of a higher alcohol content. The higher percentage of alcohol is due to the different ingredients used because brewers are trying to create complex, flavorful and unique beers. High gravity beers are meant to be sipped and appreciated, even paired with foods like wine. They're more expensive than beers that are mass produced, but with these beers it's about quality, not quantity. There are still only a small amount of U.S. microbreweries that produce high gravity beer. There are approximately 1400 microbreweries in the U.S., but they don't all produce HGB. Some of the styles of beer that are considered high gravity are already quite popular in the states, such as; India Pale Ale, bocks, imperial stouts, barley wine, and many Belgium beers to name a few.

In fact, due to the hard work of the Brewer's Association, American craft beers are now being distributed in Europe in small amounts. Earlier this year Holland's largest beer importer, Bier and Co. imported a selection of U.S. craft beers to distribute in Germany, the Netherlands, U.K., Ireland, Switzerland, Greece, and Italy. This will provide the U.S. breweries with much-needed exposure and hopefully some newfound respect from the old guard breweries.

After South Carolina passed the law allowing high gravity beer to be sold, only three other states carry on with the prohibition; Alabama, Mississippi, and W. Virginia. Since the law went into effect there has been a flurry of interest in these beers. In the Charleston area alone there have been several high gravity beer tastings, judgings, and even beer dinners in various restaurants and shops that sell alcoholic beverages. Many of these vendors are trying to find which high gravity beers have the highest demand and which of them they should offer in their stores and restaurants. It's got the potential for a booming business in the lowcountry.

In essence, high gravity beer is created by brewers who want to brew unique, quality beer that is tasty and fun to sip and experience. It's a creative artistry that is part of the growing food and beverage revolution in this country and also a growing industry.