The Thermopylae Clipper. Source: www.wix.com
On May 16, a 60ft clipper carrying British ale set sail from
London’s West India Docks for Russia. After almost five weeks of travelling in
chill and possibly stormy waters, 14 varieties of Russian Imperial Stout
specially brewed by 11 British breweries will be delivered to St Petersburg for
the first time in almost a century.
For Tim O’Rourke, master-brewer, yachtsman and event organiser, the Great
Baltic Adventure has a clear aim: “This adventure is about fellowship, establishing
a common bond of respect between the peoples and craftsmen of Britain and
Russia. Our aim is to make links through enjoyment and pleasure.”
It’s a pleasure with deep roots. Russian Imperial Stout has a pedigree dating
back to the 18th century. It was delivered from Britain to Russia by boat in
large volumes for consumption by Catherine and her court. A brewery later
opened in Russia but production stopped after the 1917 Revolution.
The distinctive flavour and high alcohol content (necessary to prevent the beer
from freezing on crossing the Baltic Sea) gave the stout, or porter, some
unique characteristics. “To the nose, the smell is almost vinous, to the taste,
it smacks of a sweet, dry massala,” says one of the brewers. The ingredients
and manner in which the stout was prepared stayed constant until production was
halted in the United Kingdom in 1993 because of cost-cutting and changing
tastes.
The voyage hopes to revive the stout-drinking tradition and pave the way for a
serious business project for small- and medium-sized British breweries with
Russian partners.
En route to St Petersburg, the Thermopylae Clipper will stop over in
Copenhagen, Stockholm and Helsinki, its itinerary designed to coincide with
local beer festivals. After the scheduled arrival in the northern Russian city
on June 15, all 14 of the stouts will be tasted and ranked by a panel of
Russian brewers at the Magerfest beer festival to determine the winner. But all
of the varieties are expected to go down well,
literally.
“There is plenty of beer in Russia, but very little genuine English beer,” said
Viktor Spassky, the head of the Russian Trade Delegation. “The English are
resurrecting old traditions and brewing good, genuine beer.”
For safety’s sake, a drinking ban was imposed on the boat and Mr O’Rourke says
he’s confident the cargo will reach its destination untouched: “The ale won’t
be easy to pilfer. For a start it’s stowed under my bunk!”
For latest news of the voyage see www.thegreatbalticadventure.com
All rights reserved by Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
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