150-Year-Old Arctic Expedition Beer Unveiled for New Version Creation

An extraordinary 150-year-old bottle of beer, originally crafted for a Victorian Arctic expedition, is set to be opened to inspire a modern recreation.

According to a report by the BBC, this exceptional bottle of Allsopp’s Arctic Ale was produced in Burton upon Trent, England, in 1875 for Sir George Nares’ North Pole mission. It was formulated to endure extreme cold, featuring an alcohol content of approximately 9% and six times the calorie count of standard beers, ensuring that sailors could sustain themselves in frigid conditions.

The historic beverage was discovered in a garage in Gobowen, Shropshire, and later auctioned in 2015 for £3, 300 (about $4, 200 USD) to Dougal Gunn Sharp, the founder of Edinburgh’s Innis & Gunn brewery. Sharp’s ambitious plan is to open the bottle during a brewing session at his facility to examine its yeast and flavor profile, ultimately crafting a limited edition beer in collaboration with Allsopp’s Brewery, titled Innis & Gunn 1875 Arctic Ale.

The Adventure of Recreating a Historic Brew

“Some may perceive it as madness to open such a historic artifact, yet the true madness would be letting it remain untouched on a shelf, ” Sharp remarked. He emphasizes that beer is intended for sharing, particularly on the occasion of its 150th anniversary.

Jamie Allsopp, who leads the revived Allsopp’s Brewery and is a direct descendant of Samuel Allsopp, referred to the project as “a kind of alchemy.” He praised the original Arctic Ale, calling it “one of the strongest and most extraordinary beers ever made.”

150 years ago, @allsoppsbeer brewed Arctic Ale for an expedition to the frozen North. This year, we’ve joined forces to bring it back to life – a faithful recreation, brewed using a bottle of the original itself. Sign up for your chance to taste a true piece of brewing history.pic.twitter.com/oCCvz23Qrm

— Innis & Gunn (@innisandgunn) November 3, 2025

Initially brewed for the British Arctic Expedition from 1875 to 1876, Allsopp’s Arctic Ale is now recognized as one of the rarest artifacts in brewing history. The recreation of this iconic beer will maintain the original 9% alcohol by volume (ABV) and is scheduled for release later this year through a limited ballot aimed at collectors and enthusiasts.

Source & Images