A 200-year-old India Pale Ale (IPA) recipe, originally conceived in a teapot, has been revived by a descendant of its creator. The brew, first made by Samuel Allsopp in 1822, is credited with sparking the craft beer revolution and helped establish Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, as a global brewing center.
Steve Holt, owner of Kirkstall Brewery in Leeds, discovered the 1822 recipe in a leather-bound brewery ledger. He partnered with Jamie Allsopp, a seventh-generation descendant of Samuel Allsopp, to recreate the historic ale. Jamie Allsopp described the beer as "one of the most important beers in brewing history" and expressed anticipation for its revival.
The resurrected IPA was released in 70 pubs across the country on Friday, returning to its ancestral hometown. This release marks a significant moment, given the beer's origins in addressing a challenge posed by the East India Company.
Samuel Allsopp was tasked with creating a beer that could withstand the arduous six-month sea voyage to India, as existing brews often spoiled during transit. His solution involved increasing the alcohol and hop content, which acted as preservatives. This innovative approach resulted in a potent and bitter beer that mellowed significantly during its long journey, arriving in India in excellent condition.
To conserve time and resources, Samuel Allsopp and his head maltster, Job Goodhead, famously used a teapot to brew the initial batch, pioneering a new taste and brewing technique. The Allsopp's brewery grew into a major enterprise, but the family lost control of the business in the 1930s.
The rediscovery of the ledger, containing over 100 handwritten recipes including IPA, Pale Ale, Double Diamond, and Stout, was made in an attic in Leeds. Jamie Allsopp emphasized the importance of using the authentic recipes, stating his disinterest in creating mere historical interpretations. He aimed for "the real deal – with the right malts, hops, and style that could make our beer revered once again."
He added that if the revival encourages more people to appreciate cask ale, it would represent a significant achievement beyond simply bringing back a historic beer.