athelstaneMost medieval (and hence middle earth ales?) were probably quite weak until learned men such as monks got involved. Gimli might have been reared on weak ales, like a session IPA, c.3%-4% ABV or Crouch Vale Brewers Gold a Woodford’s Wherry (I’m licking my lips just typing these).
So although he’d developed a tolerance for these weaker beers, Gimli isn’t in the same league as Legolas who might have spent his life drinking something akin to the ale brewed in this world by monks, e.g. a Chimay or a Birra Nursia Extra, which weigh in between 8-10% ABV.
