Before taking leave of Dr. Griess we requested to be shown the samples of the celebrated "arctic ale," of which we have heard so much in clays gone by, and which was specially brewed by Messrs. Allsopp & Sons at the request of the Government for the arctic expeditions in 1852, under Captain Sir Edward Belcher, C.B., and also in 1875 under Sir George Nares. We were sorry to find that our desire to taste the ale brewed for the first expedition could not be granted, as Messrs. Allsopp & Sons had none of this particular shipment left; but that it must have been of an excellent quality may be inferred from the following extract from the report made to the Admiralty by Captain Sir Edward Belcher, C.B., in 1852, on the ale supplied by Allsopp & Sons for the arctic expedition under his command:—
"H.M.S. Assistance Captain Sir Edward Belcher, C.B.
"A most important and valuable aid — a valuable antiscorbutic. Found, by experiments made at a temperature of -42° on deck, to stand +12 before affording any symptom of congelation. . . . Very good, and very important"
"H.M.S. Resolute — Captain Henry Kellett, CB.
Kept exceedingly well, and sought after by all."
"H.M.S. North Star — Commander W. J. S. Pullen.
"The best drink for arctic regions."
We were also shown a letter from Sir Edward Belcher, under date January 27th, 1854, in reference to the ale supplied to the arctic squadron, from which the following is an extract:—
"As I consider 93° below the freezing point last season, and 91.5, with 84 hours at a mean of —55º a pretty fair trial for external atmosphere, I have no hesitation in stating that it is not injured by freezing, which I expressly tried (finding its point of congelation to be +12.5), and that I reserved a portion of the semi-frozen, decanted from the spongy mass, and re-bottled it in a pint bottle. It has indeed been a great blessing to us, particularly for our sick, as long as it lasted. It is now a daily source of lamentation that the Phaenix did not convey fresh supplies."
However, respecting the ales supplied to the Government Expedition of 1875, we had ample opportunity, by direct inspection, to convince ourselves of its superiority. We found it of a nice brown colour, and of a vinous, and at the same time, nutty flavour, and as sound as on the day it was brewed. The ale, although of a high original strength, viz., 1.130 sp. gr., equal to about 47 lbs. per barrel, did not show a very high alcoholic strength; in fact, an analysis made in 1881 proved that it contained not more than about 9 per cent, of alcohol by weight (about 20 per cent, proof spirit). Owing to the large amount of unfermented extract still remaining in it, it must be considered as an extremely valuable and nourishing food. That the Government was also well satisfied with this shipment may be inferred from a letter of Sir George Nares, under date February, 1875, which closes with the following pertinent remarks:—
"Excellent. Would recommend as large a quantity as can possibly be stowed away to lie supplied to every future expedition."
The following is a copy of another letter — selected from many more that we were permitted to peruse — addressed to Messrs. Allsopp, January 3rd, 1877:—
"Gentlemen,
"Might I take the liberty of asking you to give me what information you may deem desirable regarding the ale you furnished to the late arctic expedition. I am desirous of knowing its composition as nearly as possible, its strength, etc.
"It kept splendidly in the arctic regions, and the fact of its freezing did not appear to detract from its good qualities in any way. It was highly appreciated by the men.
"I am, Gentlemen, yours very faithfully,
"THOMAS COLAN, M.D.,
"Fleet Surgeon and Senior Medical Officer to the Arctic Expedition."
"The Noted Breweries of Great Britain and Ireland, vol. 1" by Alfred Barnard, 1889, pages 151 - 152.
I love those testimonials. They're a bit like those you see on cinema posters. Though you wonder, if like cinema posters, they've been selective in their editing. Like "The best drink for the arctic regions . . . if you have no rum or whisky." Resolute and North Star were, by the way, other ships that took part in Belcher's arctic expedition. The North Star was the only one to make it home, the others being left stuck in the ice. The Phoenix was a supply ship that they met on the way home. I can imagine the disappointment when they discovered it carried no beer.