The bottle of Allsopp’s Arctic Ale, which was discovered in a box in a garage in Gobowen, Shropshire, had been commissioned to accompany an expedition to the north pole, led by Sir George Nares in 1875.

The attempt was unsuccessful, however the crew was able to map the coastlines of Greenland and Ellesmere Island, earning Nares the title of the first explorer to navigate through both land masses. The channel was later named Nares Strait in his honour.

Brewed in Burton-upon-Trent, the bottle was expected to reach £600 at the auction at Trevanion & Dean in Whitchurch, however it surpassed expectations by selling for £3,300.

via 140-year-old arctic beer sells for £3k.