Posts tagged Fegley
There’s Nothing Like an Arctic Brew
A few years ago, we sat on the roofdeck of a of a second story apartment on Main Street in Bethlehem, drinking cold brews on a hot summer day. Out of nowhere, a man dressed in knickers and a puffy shirt mysteriously wandered into the backyard and asked us for a hose. We’re used to seeing some strange things in downtown Bethlehem, but this was a first. Our interest was peaked. That man, as it turned out, was Chris Bowen, local brewer and beer historian (he was demonstrating brewing techniques in full period apparel outside the Goundie House). Little did we know back then that he was then in the midst of feeding an obsession that will culminate at the end of this month with an incredible adventure.
Bowen discovered Allsopp’s Arctic Ale in 2007 and dove into its’ rich history. The beer was first commissioned in 1852 by Queen Victoria to travel with Sir Edward Belcher and a group of Arctic Explorers on 5 British vessels, helping to maintain the health of the crew and prevent scurvy. Belcher’s mission failed and 4 ships were abandoned. One of those ships drifted back after being stuck frozen in the sea for a year, was discovered by Americans and returned to England. The ship’s wood was crafted into two desks - one for Queen Victoria, and one for the President of the United States. These desks remain today in Buckingham Palace and the Oval office.
Bowen, intrigued with the deep history of this 158 year-old brew, has recreated it in collaboration with Fegley’s Brew Works. Tonight it will be available to the public at a special Cask Night and Auction at Bethlehem Brew Works.
But this isn’t the end of his journey - it’s only the beginning. On July 25, he and the Arctic Alchemy riders will set out with their motorcycles and a film crew on a 2,000 mile adventure to the Canadian Arctic. They will visit historical locations, document their journey, and end at the shores of the Hudson/James Bay. Once they reach their destination, they will set up a portable brewery and brew 100 gallons of the original Allsopp’s Ale recipe using water from the Rupert River.
Tonight’s cask sales at the Brew Works will be donated to the Arctic Alchemy project. Come out to show your support, check out the breweriana at the auction, and maybe even snag a cameo in the documentary.
Bowen will depart on his adventure from the Bethlehem Brew Works on July 25 at 12 noon, directly following a send-off event to support the project.
