If I remember correctly, if you was at sea without pulling into port for more than 4 months or was it 6 months? the whole crew would be awarded 2 cans of beer each, although it would be somewhat air cool ( ie... warm or hot even ) beer.....
I never experienced it myself, even during my 9+ month cruise on the USS Nimitz back in the 80's.....
I did receive my Blue Nose & my Shellback initiation and certificates though, crossing the arctic circle & crossing the equator......
for any of those who worked on flight decks on aircraft carriers, I was first a Plane captain ( Brown Jersey ), then i a Green Jersey, was in the AIMD(<--spelling) shop ( the powerplants intermediate Repair Depot back of the Hangar Bay), then I advanced to the Checkered White Jerseys ( was called troubleshooters back in my Navy days )..... worked Plane Captain during night ops..worked as an AD Trouble Shooter both during day as well as night ops on both the USS Nimitz then when we switched to the USS Theodore Roosevelt..... on land back at NAS Cecilfield, I was asst Flight Line Coordinator for my Squadron of the time ( S3 Vikings ).....
I almost had been around the world before I was 19 years old, and in those situations, a person really grows up fast... but was some of the funnest & life learning experiences of my life......
sorry for ranting...... back then they did ration out Beer at times... not sure if they do it anymore though...... heck I not even sure if the "Smoking Lamp" is even lit anymore these days....