A “mad brewer” from Scotland is to open one of the rarest beers in the world after it was found in a Shropshire garage.
Dougal Gunn Sharp, from the Edinburgh-based Innis & Gunn, will pop a 150-year-old bottle of Allsopp’s Arctic Ale and plans to incorporate it into a new anniversary brew. It was acquired at auction for £3,000 a decade ago, one of only four bottles in the world thought to be still in existence.
Arctic Ale was produced by Samuel Allsopp & Sons in Burton-on-Trent in 1875 and was designed for Victorian explorers enduring temperatures as low as -40°C.
With an alcohol strength of nine per cent and a calorie count six times that of a modern beer, it provided “sustenance” to those on long voyages.
Sharp is to commemorate the 1875 expedition of Sir George Nares, whose team set out to reach the North Pole with plenty of bottles in tow.
Though there are only a handful still in existence, Sharp will open his while brewing a new limited edition tipple, Innis & Gunn 1875 Arctic Ale, following the original Allsopp’s recipe.
“This ale was brewed for a voyage of endurance and adventure and I think it’s only right that it has one more journey – into the glass,” he said.
“There’s something very special about being able to taste a piece of brewing and maritime history. That’s why we’re doing this.”
The first iteration of Arctic Ale was described as “strong and nutritive” at the time. A dark brown beer, its sweetness and thick consistency earned it a reputation as one of the most extraordinary brews ever made.
Throughout the 1800s, it accompanied numerous Arctic expeditions, including first Admiral Sir Edward Belcher’s 1852 mission to locate the lost Franklin expedition and Sir George Nares’ 1875 attempt to reach the North Pole.
Jamie Allsopp, a direct descendant of Samuel and in charge of the brewery today, said the collaboration with Innis & Gunn feels like “a physical bridge to the past”.
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He said: “There’s something uniquely romantic about Allsopp’s Arctic Ale – it’s a story of heroism, endurance, and human daring.
“It’s one of the strongest and most extraordinary beers ever made – more like a Madeira than a modern ale – and its legend has only grown with time. Very few bottles still exist, and I’ve only ever seen two come up for sale.
“So when Dougal told me he planned to use one of his to help recreate it, I honestly thought he was mad – but I love it! The idea of physically pouring history into a new brew is a kind of alchemy. It’s never been done before, and it’s the perfect way to reconnect with a moment in brewing history that’s fascinated people for nearly 170 years.”
The new 1875 Arctic Ale will be brewed at Innis & Gunn’s Perth brewery using the same combination of malt and hop varieties as before. The bottle of Arctic Ale will be ceremonially opened during the brewing process, with the bottle incorporated into the fermentation.
Only a limited number will be made and they will be available via ballot. To enter, visit innisandgunn.com
