UNBEERLIEVABLE

IT'S the strongest beer in the world - and guaranteed to bring an extra sparkle to a Christmas party.

At 25 per cent proof, Sam Adams Utopias is six times stronger than any normal a typical bottle of wine. But it comes at a price with a 11/2 pint bottle of the American brew costing pounds 100.

The company behind the latest and most expensive beer to hit Britain say it's aimed at cognac and whisky connoisseurs - and meant to be savoured. They say friends might share a bottle after-dinner as liqueur in brandy glasses.

The Boston Beer Company, which spent years developing the beer, is planning to sell it here in the New Year. David Grinnell, director of brewing, said: "The kick comes from vast quantities of yeast, four varieties of hops, maple syrup and at least a year's maturation in Bourbon oak casks."

A typical pint of bitter in the UK is about four per cent alcohol by volume.

The beer that previously held the record as the world's strongest is another US-made brew called Dogfish Head Worldwide stout, which is 23 per cent proof. It went on sale in Britain this year at pounds 7 a bottle.

Utopias was tried out last week at the White Horse pub in Parsons Green, West London. Landlord Mark Dorber describedit as as an "unusual after-dinner aperitif."

But an Alcohol Concern spokeswoman warned: "This is bound to attract people who want to get drunk as quickly as possible."

-BRITAIN'S pubs will be allowed to stay open non-stop for 36 hours from 11am on New Year's Eve to 11pm New Year's Day.

STOUT of this world HERE'S some other super-strength beers from around the world guaranteed to give you a monster hangover...

-Biere du Demon lager (France): 12pc

-Urbock 23o lager (Austria): 9.9pc

-Carlsberg Special Brew lager (UK): 9pc

-Kestrel Super Strength lager (UK): 9pc

-Tennent's Super lager (UK): 9pc

- Or you could switch to Ireland's Bunratty poteen... it's 45pc.OZ'S VERDICTWINE expert Oz Clarke, who sampled Sam Adams Utopias for the Sunday Mirror, said: "I think it's fantastic.

"It tastes as though someone has mixed ancient Madeira with very old sherry and an ancient tawny port and swirled them all around together.

"I have never tasted anything like it, really. The first mouthful was shocking - the sourness hits you in the face. You need to drink it in fairly small sips. But I am sure that if it was forced down me I could manage several glasses.

"It won't catch on but hopefully a few people will think it's the maddest, coolest thing to drink."

Charlotte Berry, 29, who also tried the brew, said: " I was really surprised - it's a very interesting set of flavours. But being 25 per cent proof, its potency is a bit deceptive."

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