Uncorking the Past: A 150-Year-Old Beer's Modern Revival
The world of brewing is about to get a taste of history, as a unique bottle of beer, aged for over a century, is set to be opened. This extraordinary bottle, crafted for an Arctic expedition in 1875, has now found its way into the hands of a forward-thinking brewer, who plans to create a modern twist on this vintage ale.
The story begins with Sir George Nares, who embarked on a daring mission to reach the North Pole. In Burton-upon-Trent, Samuel Allsopp & Sons brewed a special beer for his crew, designed to withstand the harsh conditions of the Arctic. With an alcohol strength of around 9%, this Allsopp's Arctic Ale was a robust creation, featuring unfermentable sugars that prevented it from freezing, even at temperatures as low as -40C. It was a true marvel of brewing, packing six times the calorie content of regular beer.
Fast forward to 2015, when this historic bottle was discovered in a garage in Gobowen, Shropshire. It was sold at auction for a remarkable £3,300, attracting the attention of Dougal Gunn Sharp, the founder and master brewer of Innis & Gunn, an Edinburgh-based brewery. Mr. Sharp saw the potential in this ancient beer and decided to bring it back to life.
The new beer, named Innis & Gunn 1875 Arctic Ale, will be a limited-edition release, with Mr. Sharp collaborating closely with Allsopp's Brewery. He believes that opening this bottle is not just a daring move but a celebration of the art of brewing and maritime history. Jamie Allsopp, a direct descendant of Samuel Allsopp and the founder of the revived Allsopp's Brewery, shares this sentiment. He describes the original beer as 'one of the strongest and most extraordinary beers ever made,' and he initially thought Mr. Sharp was mad for considering a new version.
The process of using an original beer to create a new one is akin to alchemy, according to Mr. Allsopp. The new beer will be released later this year, with a limited number of hand-bottled samples available through a ballot, offering beer enthusiasts a chance to taste a piece of brewing and maritime history.
