It has long been assumed that the origin of IPA (India Pale Ale) was that it was brewed in Britain to be suitable for surviving the journey to India and then appropriate for the climate there. Its popularity in Britain was ascribed to a shipwreck in the Irish sea that resulted in barrels being recovered and sold in Liverpool.
This scenario seems to be correct and is supported by the sale advertised in the Liverpool papers of items salvaged from the wreck of the East India company's ship Crusader.
For a fuller story from the beer history perspective: see here
For more details of the wreck of the Crusader see here.
