Dartmoor Brewery has teamed up with Dartmoor-based polar exploration project Ice Warrior to launch a beer which captures the spirit of exploration and outdoor experience.
Ian Cobham (right), managing director and head brewer at Dartmoor Brewery, joins Jim McNeill, founder of the Ice Warrior project, to launch the new beer, appropriately, on Dartmoor. Photograph: Dartmoor Brewery
Ice Warrior Ale has been launched on the back of a boom in bottled beer sales over the past 12 months and has been brewed to reflect Dartmoor Brewery’s strong association with the great outdoors.
The flavour combinations are broadly based around the brewery’s original and multi-award winning Jail Ale, with some changes to the recipe by head brewer and brewery MD, Ian Cobham.
Jim McNeill, founder of the Ice Warrior project and a Dartmoor Brewery ambassador, joined Ian in launching the beer, announcing that a percentage of each bottle sale will be used to fund Ice Warrior’s polar expedition programme.
Since 2001, Ice Warrior has trained more than 400 novices to be polar explorers, undertaken seven major expeditions, and directly contributed to our knowledge and understanding of our changing world.
Its remit is to help scientists gauge the pulse of the planet, and the next expedition, dubbed #LastPole, is not only a world first but a vital piece of citizen science.
Ice is critical to the survival of humankind. Some 12,000 years ago, the last ice age sculpted much of Dartmoor. Ice has been a primary feature in discoveries on the Arctic Ocean, and Ice Warrior Ale is a celebration of this contribution.
Our fragile environment
Jim said: “I’m chuffed to bits. In the ‘golden era of exploration’ that we emulate, each expedition member was allotted a daily quota of beer that was often donated by local breweries. Having our own ale brewed for us by a modern-day, sustainable, and responsible brewery, not only helps us recruit, raise awareness and funds for our expeditions, but adds to the historic and modern nature of what we are trying to achieve.
“As an ambassador, I am delighted in highlighting what all companies should be aspiring towards. Look out for the blog for more detail!”
Ian added: “Throughout this past challenging year, we’ve kept busy brewing our traditional ales for home delivery, whilst at the same time looking at new ideas to surprise and delight our loyal followers.
“Our new partnership with Ice Warrior is a natural fit with our passion for all things outdoors, and our commitment to initiatives which raise awareness of our fragile environment. Our new Ice Warrior Ale expresses our passion in our own special way — with traditional, natural beer!”
• Ice Warrior Ale is available exclusively online at dartmoorbrewery.co.uk
Tasting notes
Deep amber in colour — with a reddish tinge — the beer pours crystal clear, with good carbonation and an off-white head. It’s a very inviting look, as is the aroma, of rich malt and floral, spicy hops. Bready malt and toffee sweetness provide backbone on the palate, with hedgerow and spicy hops (English, I’m sensing) gursting through. There are berry notes, too, and a slight nuttiness. Jail Ale fans will love this, and it’ll be a well-appreciated pint after a walk out in the great South West outdoors!
