Scientists are optimistic that a rare 1864 bottle of Guinness discovered in a shipwreck could help them recreate the original recipe. Approximately 20 bottles of the 162-year-old stout were found five kilometres off the coast of Dover.
Stefan Panis, a Belgian underwater photographer with over 40 years of experience, made international headlines upon finding the hidden treasure, sparking an ambitious scientific project. During the expedition dive, Panis spotted the historic Guinness in darkness in the cargo of the Mindora.
Discovery and Preservation
The Mindora set sail from London to Vancouver on November 27, 1864, and collided with another vessel off the Dover coast a week later. Thanks to constant high pressure, it is regarded as the ideal condition for preservation.
Panis contacted Guinness to inform them of his discovery but believes there could be more than the one pint he initially surfaced with. 'We lifted the artefact, and then on the surface, a quick rinse revealed “Guinness.” Seeing the size of the case, I think it is definitely a case of 24 bottles. But there might be more cases,' he told BBC News.
Scientific Analysis
Following the tip-off, samples from the bottle were sent to KU Leuven University in Belgium for analysis by microbiologists. Panis explained that 'there is always a chance that we can recover the complete DNA, and then we can do a small re-brew of the exact beer that was found in the 1860s'. He even reckons there's a possibility that what he unearthed is 'still drinkable', provided that seawater hasn't entered the bottles through the corks. 'If not, most likely, the beer would still be drinkable.'
While not a huge Guinness fan himself, he'd happily take a sip of the vintage booze if deemed safe. Taking to Instagram amid what he described as a 'whirlwind' of viral fame, the diver declared that he is already 'looking forward to the next expedition'.
Collaboration with Guinness
Panis has been in 'constant communication' with Diageo Ireland, owners and manufacturers of Guinness, founded in Dublin in 1759, while they gather more information. 'Discoveries like this provide a fascinating window into our past and help build a deeper understanding of our heritage,' a spokesperson added to The Irish Times.
The Guinness Recipe
As written on the Guinness website, the world's most popular stout is created using four key ingredients: roasted barley, malted barley, hops, yeast, and water. The brand adds: 'Every Guinness you've ever enjoyed can be traced back to this recipe. A direct descendant of our archival recipes, Guinness Extra Stout is based on a beer first brewed in 1821, when Arthur Guinness II set down precise instructions for brewing his Superior Porter.'
Brewing historian Edward Bourke also offered further backstory to the old beer, sharing with Panis that 'harsh channel storms' cut short a previous operation to blow the decks out of the Mindoro with explosives to access the cargo. Therefore, the Guinness shipment has been 'untouched' for over 160 years. Bourke added that the discovered beer was sent in barrels to London trade agent Cameron Saunders in the autumn of 1864, when it was bottled in English glass.
What's more, because the bottles were found to be upside-down, their contents will likely be 'perfect', because the trapped air bubbles created a pressurised barrier to protect them. So, watch this space, because Victorian-era Guinness could one day hit the shelves.
