A brewery has been branded “irresponsible” by health campaigners after it launched what it claims is Britain's strongest beer, with an 18.2% alcohol content.

A 330ml bottle of Tokyo*, made by BrewDog, contains six units of alcohol, which is twice the recommended daily limit.

Its creators claim the beer will help alleviate the country's irresponsible binge-drinking culture because it is so rich that people will consume less of it.

But health experts warned that a high alcohol percentage can cause as much damage as drinking to excess.

BrewDog, based in Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, drew controversy when it launched its 12% beer, known as Tokyo last year, which was also criticised by health campaigners. It has now brewed a stronger version using jasmine, cranberries, malts and American hops. The mixture was fermented with a champagne yeast to make the high alcohol content.

BrewDog founder James Watt said his company was helping to promote responsible drinking by educating people about beer.

He said: “We've been challenging people to drink less alcohol, and educating the palates of drinkers with progressive craft-brewed beers which have an amazing depth of flavour.”

But health campaigners warned that drinking such a strong brew could cause health problems.

Jack Law, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said: “This company is completely deluded if they think that an 18.2% abv beer will help solve Scotland's alcohol problems. It is utterly irresponsible to bring out a beer which is so strong at a time when Scotland is facing unprecedented levels of alcohol-related social harm.”