If you’ve ever popped the top on a beer that’s been lurking in your pantry for a couple of years, you’re likely aware that a taste is not recommended.
But imagine if that brew was specially crafted for adventurers on an Arctic mission? And furthermore, what if it hadn’t simply been stored for a few years, but rather for over a century and a half?
In that instance, it might offer a significant commercial venture.
Just inquire with Dougal Gunn Sharp, the beverage magnate behind the Edinburgh-based Innis & Gunn distillery.
He acquired an 1875 bottle of Allsopp’s famed Arctic Ale at an auction for beyond £3,000 over a decade in the past – and has at last determined its destiny.
This beverage was concocted in the nineteenth century for individuals voyaging into the frozen north, necessitating potent beer to maintain warmth within.
Allsopp’s certainly delivered on this front – boasting approximately 9% alcohol content and sixfold the calorie count of a typical beer.
Historical records suggest it was so viscous it had to be manually removed from the copper brewing containers, and it’s abundant in unfermentable sugars to prevent freezing in frigid climates.
You’re possibly now pondering how to obtain some before the severe British winter truly descends.
Seldom specimens have emerged at auctions through the years, but Mr. Sharp presently intends to introduce a precise duplicate to the marketplace… infused with components from his personal bottle.
He commented: ‘Some may view opening it as sheer madness, but I argue that leaving it untouched on a shelf would be the real folly.
‘Beer is intended for sharing, especially on its 150th anniversary.’
His version, faithfully adhering to the original formulation, will be named Innis & Gunn 1875 Arctic Ale. This venture is a joint effort with the Allsopp’s brewery itself, which witnessed a rebirth in 2021 after a dormancy of approximately 60 years.
Jamie Allsopp, the founder of the revamped enterprise, remarked: ‘It’s among the most robust and unique beers ever conceived – more akin to a Madeira wine than a contemporary ale – and its renown has escalated over time.
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‘Very few bottles are still in existence, and I’ve personally witnessed only two being auctioned.
‘So when Dougal conveyed his intention to utilize one of his to aid in its recreation, I genuinely deemed him insane – yet I wholeheartedly endorse it.’
Any aspiring Roald Amundsens keen to sample the Arctic Ale can anticipate its availability later in the year at Innis & Gunn taprooms located in Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as Allsopp’s establishments in London.
Sourse: metro.co.uk
