British beer cruise to Russia

British brewers on Monday set out on a historic voyage from London to St. Petersburg following the old naval route, which was used 200 years ago to deliver to Russia kegs of specially-brewed "Russian Imperial Stout" to the court of Empress Catherine the Great.
High alcohol content in the beverage (around 8-9%) was dictated by the need to protect it from spoiling or freezing as it was shipped along the Baltic Sea.
The sailing clipper the Thermopylae will make several stopovers on its way to attend beer festivals in Copenhagen, Stockholm and Helsinki. It is expected to arrive in St. Petersburg in mid-June

News source: Voice of Russia