WILK Friday BeerBuzz–Canadian Arctic Alchemy Ale w/Chris Bowen

Back on July 23rd 2010, we welcomed Beau Baden from Fegley’s Brew Works into the studio to bring us a great new beer.  The beer was Arctic Alchemy, a great new brew based on the historic Allsops Arctic Ale.  The beer came with a great story and Beau told us about the upcoming adventure that Chris Bowen, Dick Gethin & John Chay were taking about to undertake.  Along with a film crew, the guys were embarking on a “2000-mile epic motorcycle journey” to the Canadian arctic to recreate the original Allsops Arctic Ale on primitive brewing equipment.

Leap forward 16 months and we were very excited to welcome Chris Bowen into the studio to sample Canadian Arctic Alchemy Ale.  It was a real honor to get to sample some of the actual beer that was brewed in the Canadian Arctic and brought all the way back to PA, and it was well worth the wait!  According to Chris, “this beer followed the regiment of the original Allsops brewing process and has been barrel-aging and dry-hopping for over a year”…and that patience and hand crafting has certainly paid off.

Historically these beers came from the 1850’s, a time when refrigeration didn’t exist, and ships regularly traveled long distances…so they were brewed to survive the long shipboard trips.  The Canadian Arctic Alchemy Ale was brewed big, but loaded with great flavor and complexity.  I swear you can taste not only the history brewed into this beer, but also the amazing journey this special brew has been on.

Be sure to check out more on the story of Arctic Alchemy on their website and be sure to watch for the upcoming film of their adventure coming soon from Albatross Film Studio.  Also stay tuned for more projects coming from Chris Bowen and his Hammersmith Ales home brewery.

Thanks

to Chris Bowen, Nancy, John, Joe, & Bosco for yet another fun Friday.

The Friday BeerBuzz…bringing good beers and good people together.

As always you can check out the video on-line at the WILK Friday BeerBuzz page by clicking HERE