Innis & Gunn, in partnership with historic brewer Allsopp’s, has unveiled the 1875 Arctic Ale, a robust 9.5% ABV recreation of the provisions taken on Sir George Nares’ legendary North Pole expedition.

To mark the 150th anniversary of the voyage, the beer was launched inside a specially commissioned ice sculpture at Edinburgh’s Polar Ice Bar. Guests sampled the brew at -10°C, simulating the freezing conditions the original sailors endured.

The new brew is not merely a recipe recreation; it contains actual biological history. Master Brewer Dougal Gunn Sharp purchased a surviving 150-year-old bottle of the original ale for £3,000. This “astonishingly well-preserved” liquid was used to seed the new batch, meaning every drop contains a direct link to the Victorian era.

“Opening that original bottle was one of the most nerve-racking moments of my career,” said Sharp. “It is as close as you’ll ever get to tasting a piece of history.”

The original Allsopp’s Arctic Ale was designed as a “strong and nutritive” fuel to sustain sailors in temperatures as low as -40°C. Thick, dark, and calorie-dense, it was formulated specifically to resist freezing. The new iteration remains faithful to this profile, described as rich and warming with a deep malt character.

While 250 bottles were made available via a ballot for £25, enthusiasts can still taste the ale on draught. It is available for a limited time at Innis & Gunn Taprooms in Edinburgh and Glasgow, and will arrive at The Blue Stoops in London this January.