October 17th is the 200th anniversary of the London Beer Flood, a disaster that saw eight people killed and many more injured after a vat exploded in a brewery on the Tottenham Court Road.

Buildings crumbled as 323,000 gallons of beer swept through the West End.

To mark the event let's take a look at five of the world's most expensive beers.

5. Schorschbrau's Schorschbock 57 - $275

What's the worst hangover you've ever experienced? Well it turns out that's nothing compared to what you could be enjoying after a night on the Schorsbrau Schorschbock 57.

Schorschboch 57 is the world's strongest beer

The 57 refers to the percentage. That's right, with an abv of 57% this diminutive bottle holds the title of the world's strongest beer.

Only 36 were ever produced, at a price of around $275 each, although with reviewers describing it as tasting and smelling like windscreen washer fluid and dog food perhaps it's better to keep it on display (at the back of the cupboard, next to the Ouzo).

4. Sink the Bismark - $324

Also flying the flag for absurdly strong beer is this offering from Scottish brewer Brewdog.

Sink the Bismark weighs in at a solid 41% abv

The brewery describes it as a "full out attack on your taste-buds" featuring "a crescendo of malt, sweet honey, hop oils and a torpedo of hop bitterness which lasts and lasts."

It was, for a time, the strongest beer in the world and is priced accordingly (at around $324). The title was wrested from previous holder Schorschbräu who proceeded to blow them out of the water shortly afterwards (see number 5).

3. Carlsberg Jacobsen Vintage

In the UK, Carlsberg is generally associated with chain pubs and braying rugby lads chugging through litres of the sickly amber fizz.

You won't find this Carlsberg at your local Wetherspoons

However, in addition to its standard lager the company also offers one of the world's most expensive beers - the Jacobsen Vintage.

It was designed for the billionaire market, sells for $400 a bottle and is described as being particularly good with cheese.

2. The End of History - $765

Presented inside a taxidermied squirrel, The End of History represents another attempt by Brewdog to wrest the world's strongest beer crown from rivals Schorsbrau.

Brewdog's The End of History is served in a taxidermied squirrel

Although falling short, at a paltry 55% abv, the inspired decision to serve it inside a dead animal makes this the drink of choice for the discerning, wealthy psychopath.

It could be yours for just $765.

1. Antarctic Nail Ale - $800

At $800, Antarctic Nail Ale is the world's most expensive beer. It was developed by the Nail Brewing Company, which donates the proceeds to the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

Antarctic Nail Ale is made from glacial ice

The water used in the brewing process comes from an Antarctic iceberg and was used as the base for the limited edition.

The company's brewer John Stallwood commented: "It is great to sell the most expensive bottle of beer in the world but it is all about a good cause.

"It is also good that a beer about saving the whales is now the most expensive beer in the world rather than high alcohol beer sold in animal carcasses. I think future beers that sell for over $800 won't just be unique but will also be for good causes."

Take that Brewdog.

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