BOOKS & BOOZE WITH TOMÁŠ MOZR

alcronprague books and booze suchy unor main
Bar
29. 07. 2025

Ahead of us is another session in the series of regular meetings with bar literature expert Tomáš Mozr!

On August 26th, another Books & Booze will take place, this time on the theme Rum in the Service of His Majesty.

Pirate, corsair, or ordinary sailor serving aboard a ship of the British Royal Navy, whichever one we imagine, we always associate them with rum, which was a beloved balm during the harsh duties of long voyages around the world. But why is this association so strong for us? Where does this connection come from, and where can we see traces of British rum rations? All of this will be revealed during the August Books & Booze, where it will be enough to hoist the sails of curiosity and quench the thirst for a story spanning over 300 years.

How did rum get on board British ships? Given sailors’ natural fears of drowning and the widespread tales of mysterious monsters attacking from the depths of the seas, it is no surprise that it was customary to have a chosen drink within reach for comfort. Apart from water, which was transported and spoiled in barrels below deck due to algae, sailors also needed some alcoholic refreshment. Southern European nations had wine. Although its taste deteriorated on long sea journeys, it did not spoil. In contrast, northern nations had to make do with beer, including England. As long as the Royal Navy only protected the English coast, there were no major problems. However, the seventeenth century brought new demands for defense and conquest in the Caribbean and North America. The importance of the military navy increased significantly, and better organization and provisioning of fleets became a bare necessity for all imperial powers. A pivotal moment in naval history came in 1655, when, after the successful conquest of Jamaica, English Vice-Admiral William Penn decided to issue rum to his crew, which, unlike water, did not spoil, and compared to beer, was more efficient since fewer barrels were needed on the ship. This began a tradition that lasted more than 300 years.
It took some time, as rum only became a widespread, meaningful alternative to beer in the British Navy in 1731. According to the new regulation of the time, rum was officially recognized as a replacement for beer, and each sailor was to receive half a pint of rum daily, which corresponds to approximately 275 ml. Rums from Jamaica, Antigua, and Barbados soon began to enjoy proper respect. Service on a ship was extremely demanding at the time, and enforcing discipline through flogging was a daily routine. It is therefore no wonder that sailors saw the rum ration not only as a pragmatic decision by the Admiralty, but above all as a form of comfort.

Did you know that by drinking rum you are contributing to veterans? A great reminder of the regular rum rations aboard British Royal Navy ships is, for example, Pusser’s rum. The brand’s founder, Charles Tobias, was inspired by the role of the ship’s purser, who was responsible for supplying the ship, including rum. Instead of the official title “purser,” sailors called him “pusser.” Once an unpopular figure, suspected of selling rum supplies off the ship and thus skimming the regular rations, known as “tot,” he eventually became a symbol of an era. That era ended on July 31, 1970, when, citing modernization and advances in naval technology, it was decided to discontinue rum rations. Although the production of rum for the Royal Navy ceased after 1970, this blend remained in the memories of many sailors. One of them was Charles Tobias, who, with permission from the Admiralty, used the closely guarded recipe to establish Pussers Ltd. This company now bottles and distributes Pusser’s rum, preserving the legacy of the original blend, especially in Pusser’s Rum Gunpowder Proof. Additionally, two dollars from every carton sold go into a special Royal Navy fund, which primarily supports veterans.

Where did grog come from, and why is it inseparably linked to the navy? Men aboard ships drank their daily rations of undiluted rum twice a day, which often led to violence and dereliction of duties, not only on board but also on land when ships occasionally docked. This problem needed a solution—taken up by Vice-Admiral Edward Vernon. On August 21, 1740, when Vernon’s ship anchored in the Jamaican port of Port Royal, he ordered that the half-pint rum ration would henceforth be mixed with water. His further recommendation was that sailors add sugar and lemon or lime juice to the drink to prevent scurvy, which often afflicted them on long voyages. Vernon wore a waterproof coat made of heavy, sturdy fabric called grogram. His men began calling him “Old Grogram,” and the drink he invented was immediately named “grog.”

What does the term “navy strength rum” really mean? Although the concept of alcohol proof may be confusing to some, it is essential to remember that before 1816 there was no precise method for measurement. Up to that point, a kind of “rough” test was used by adding a small amount of gunpowder to the rum. If it ignited briefly without flaring uncontrollably, the quality was considered “proven,” hence the term “proof.” In 1816, however, thanks to the earlier refinement of the hydrometer by Bartholomew Sikes, a standard for measuring alcohol content in spirits was introduced in Great Britain. This more accurate hydrometer indicated 100 proof for spirits containing over 57% alcohol (specifically 57.14%). The Royal Navy, however, did not rely solely on scientific methods and conducted its own evaluation, combining the old gunpowder test with Sikes’s hydrometer measurements. One hundred samples of contemporary naval rum were collected and tested. The average on Sikes’s scale was 95.5, equal to 54.5% alcohol. This value was thus adopted as the standard for Navy Strength. However, as Matt Pietrek and Alexandre Gabriel reveal in their book Exploring 300 Years of Royal Navy Rum and Its Techniques, the proper strength of naval rum requires reconsideration. The alcohol percentage must also account for the use of burnt sugar, which brings such rum to 55.7%, something you can experience with Planteray Mister Fogg Navy Rum, which takes you on a truly authentic journey tracing the forgotten flavors of naval rums.

You will also have the opportunity to taste some cocktails supported by the brands: Planteray Mister Fogg Navy Rum Sail No.2, Pusser’s Rum Gunpowder Proof.

You will learn about this and much more when you join us on August 26, 2025!

Tomas and the Alcron Bar team will welcome guests from 17:00 and from 19:00.

Everyone who wants to explore the secrets of the world of cocktails and bar culture is cordially invited, and this unique event is open to everyone for FREE! And that’s why you really shouldn’t miss this event!

Will you take part in six of the twelve themed evenings? You will then become a unique member of the “Friends of Alcron” group and look forward to surprises.

For the reservation, please click here.