BrewDog launches 1.1% Nanny State beer

Controversial Scottish brewer BrewDog has launched a 1.1% abv Nanny State ale in a stinging riposte to complaints over its 18.2% Tokyo stout.

BrewDog launched Britain's strongest beer Tokyo in August — sparking a furore from the health lobbyists. Drinks industry watchdog Portman Group is investigating a complaint against Tokyo made by Alcohol Focus Scotland.

BrewDog has been involved in a long running spat with Portman after it investigated, but later cleared, its three best selling beers — Riptide, Punk IPA and Hop Rocker — of breaching Portman's responsible marketing code earlier this year.

It hopes the launch of Nanny State will show its focus is on flavour rather than alcoholic strength.

"Anyone who knows BrewDog, knows beer, or anyone has more common sense than a common (or garden) gnome will know that the scathing and unrelenting criticism we faced was pretty unjustified," said BrewDog founder James Watt.

"If logic serves the same people who witch-hunted and publicly slated us should now offer us heartfelt support and public congratulations. However I fear that this, unfortunately, is an arena devoid of logic and reason."

Nanny State is mild imperial ale, which claims to contain more hops than any other beer brewed in the UK.

"It is an extraordinary little ale jammed full of all the brewer's favorite hops giving it as much body and mouthy feel as possible, ensuring that low strength does not translate into reduced flavour," said Watt.

"Nanny State, takes the low ABV hop-bomb concept to the next level and is so low in alcohol it is below the legal classification of beer and not strong enough to be subject to beer duty."

Nanny State is available in cask and bottles for £2.49.