Beer aged at sea will be commercially available again, for the first time after two centuries.
BrewDog founder James Watt’s spent two months aboard a mackerel trawler on the North Atlantic inspired by the 1856 Brewer’s Handbook. He set off on a journey in the North Atlantic with eight barrels on-board, each containing beer brewed from the original recipe.
Originating in the 1700s, India Pale Ales were developed in Britain and sent by sea to British people living in India. The beers travelled inside oak casks on board sailing vessels however the lack of refrigeration and tempestuous sea journeys often compromised the quality. India Pale Ale was born when brewers realised that together, hops and alcohol act as a natural preservative ensuring that the beer could withstand the voyage and arrive in good condition.
James Watt, BrewDog’s Head of Stuff, said “Today the term IPA has lost its meaning and UK brewers mainly use it to describe beers which are neither particularly hoppy or high in alcohol, Duecher’s IPA at 3.8% being a prime example of the complete butchering of the style. It’s sad to see the great IPA heritage in this country come to stand for nothing more than a sparingly hopped low ABV blonde session.
We wanted to take the style back to its roots and we have created the first genuine IPA for 2 centuries. Going beyond the realms of what would normally be deemed possible in order to deliver is what we’re all about at Brew Dog: making real beer accessible to the masses.”