“Money can’t buy you happiness, but it can buy you beer…“
Didn’t think that beers could be that expensive? Think again!
We’ve done the research to bring you a list of some of the most expensive beers ever sold. Sit back – with your favorite brew if you must – and marvel at these prices!
7 Crazy Expensive Beers
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Sapporo Space Barley: $110 per 6-pack
The Japanese have a clean, crisp tradition when it comes to brewing beer, and Sapporo Space Barley is no exception. Sapporo experimented with space-grown barley (yes, you read that right) and brought it back to Earth to produce this limited-edition premier beer in 2006. The brewery held two online lotteries for beer enthusiasts to snap up this special-release beer. Those lucky enough to buy these beauties paid $110 for a 6-pack. Although not as expensive as other beers to come on our list, this light and refreshing low-alcohol beer is literally out of this world! (“ABV” means “alcohol by volume”)
Sapporo Space Barley
ABV 5.5 percent Current price per bottle $19 Current price per mL $0.6/mL -
Samuel Adams’ Utopias: US$600/750mL
This all-American strong ale is the product of Boston-based brewery Samuel Adams, first brewed in 2002. It comes in various editions costing between $150 and $600, depending on the version. At 27 percent proof, it is light and fruity with port, sherry and cognac characteristics and a complex aroma. There’s a subtle and round sweetness to this beer that ends in a deep, malty aftertaste. Again, it’s better sipped than “gulped” in order to appreciate the golden-red winey color and flavors.
Samuel Adams Utopias
ABV 27 percent Current price per bottle $600/750mL Current price per mL $0.8/mL -
Schorschbräu Schorschbock 57: $275/330mL
Schorschbock 57 is a powerhouse of a beer! At 57.5 percent proof (!), this German beer is intense and all-consuming. Smoky and nutty, with high notes of raisin, we would classify this beer without a doubt as a sipping drink rather than a beer you’d actually “drink,” so that you can properly indulge in the rich, fruity flavors. Schorschbräu brewed just 36 bottles, and this beer easily trumps other beers to be the strongest beer in the world. Good luck finding it, and if you can, do try it!
Schorschbräu Schorschbock 57
ABV 57.5 percent Current Price per bottle $275/330mL Current Price per mL $0.83/mL -
Lost Abbey Cable Car Kriek: $923/750mL
Lost Abbey’s Cable Car Kriek is a premier American wild ale brewed in California. The last 750-ml bottle sold for an impressive $923!This limited-edition brew is full of stone-fruit goodness and citrus notes, accentuated by the earthy flavors of oak and wet hay. Those who’ve tried this beer give only rave reviews and love the low acidity. However, every year, Lost Abbey continues to produce an entire line of delicious specialty beers. If you have the chance and budget, get your hands on these excellent beers just once in your lifetime.
Lost Abbey Cable Car Kriek
ABV 7 percent Current Price per bottle $923/750mL Current Price per mL $1.23/mL -
Brewdog – The End of History: $765/350mL
Brewdog – The End of History is a Scottish craft beer that leveraged social media hype and direct marketing to get them out and proud onto the beer scene. The brewery produced only 12 bottles, and they’ve all sold out. Each bottle comes stuffed in a small taxidermied animal—a little creepy for some, but definitely interesting, at least! At 55 percent proof, higher even than most spirits, this Belgian-style ale is mixed with juniper berries and stinging nettles sourced from the pristine Scottish highlands. Multiple distillations give this beer its high proof. Brewdog has undoubtedly garnered quite a bit of PR for the brewery’s other beers with this marketing technique. End of History should be sipped, just as you would a fine scotch, to savor the intense flavors.
Brewdog – The End of History
ABV 55 percent Current Price per bottle $765/350mL Current Price per mL $2.19/mL -
Antarctic Nail Ale: $1,800/500mL
Nail Brewing in Perth, Australia, first brewed this beer in 2010 as a one-off production. This classic Australian pale ale’s liquid content consists of an extensive section of an Antarctic iceberg, first flown to Tasmania for melting, and then to Perth for the brewing process. Only 30 bottles came out, and all profits went to the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. The first bottle sold for $800 at a Freemantle auction, and the second for an impressive $1,850.
Antarctic Nail Ale
ABV 10 percent Current Price per bottle $1850/500mL Current Price per mL $3.70/mL -
Allsop’s Arctic Ale 1852: $5,131/650mL
Samuel Allsop first brewed this in Staffordshire, England, in 1852. Allsop specially brewed Arctic Ale for the aptly-named Captain Belcher’s trek to the Arctic. A second batch came out in 1875, on a further journey to rescue Belcher. The 1875 vintage beer was found perchance in a house in Shropshire, England, in 2015, and was auctioned off at $5,131 per 650-ml bottle. However, earlier in 2007, an 1852 Allsop’s Arctic ale bottle sold for a whopping $503,300 (!!) on an eBay listing, making it the most expensive beer ever sold! According to 1889 reviews, Allsop’s Arctic Ale was said to have a rounded brown color and nutty flavor and considered an “extremely valuable and nourishing food.”
Allsop’s Arctic Ale 1852
ABV 11 percent Current Price per bottle $503,300/650mL Current Price per mL $774/mL 
Allsops Arctic Ale 1852 eBay listing
Allsops Arctic Ale 1852 eBay listingFinal Thoughts
One thing’s for sure, these beers are not meant to be “enjoyed” as much as they are meant to be “treasured” (and at these prices, “treasure” is not a bad word to use). So if you plan on getting any of these beers, we suggest that you make arrangements to store them exceptionally well to protect your investment. And if you’re saving opening them for a “rainy day,” it probably has to be a very (very) special occasion!
Keep your beer in a cool, dark place, if possible, an underground cellar at an optimal 55 degrees F, and store the bottles upright to prevent any sediment from ruining the flavor. If you do choose to drink your precious acquisition, savor it rather like a Scotch or fine wine to get the most of your rare beer. Cheers!
Also, if you’re into rare beer, we highly recommend the Rare Beer Club by Microbrewed, or Tavour. These are services that ship you hard-to-find, exquisite beers that you can select yourself. Check them out!
