Divers have recovered an intact bottle of Guinness from a shipwreck off the coast of England. The drink dates back to 1864.
The find was made while exploring a sunken ship. Among dozens of bottles scattered around the wreckage, this one had an intact seal that read “Guinness Extra Stout, London.”
According to researchers, the bottle came from the Mindoro, which set sail from London to Vancouver on November 20, 1864, but a week later collided with another ship in a dangerous section of the English Channel and sank.
The cold, dark environment at the bottom of the sea may have helped preserve the drink. Experts suggest that Guinness may even remain drinkable if seawater has not seeped in.
Researchers at the KU Leuven laboratory in Belgium plan to study the drink’s composition and try to recreate its historical recipe. They also plan to study the yeast traces to determine their origin and find modern related strains.
However, the scientists note that 19th-century Guinness was different from the modern drink. Back then, the beer was not saturated with nitrogen, which gives it its characteristic smooth texture and creamy head today.
In addition, the brewers were not as good at working sterile. So it was probably “a real zoo there,” the researchers say.
The divers suggest that other bottles may remain on the bottom. They plan to return to the wreck and raise a few more samples for further research.
The company has been based in Dublin since 1759. However, there is also evidence that at least some Guinness was bottled in London in the mid-19th century.