Topic overview
Briefly
- A team of divers discovered a 162-year-old bottle of Guinness in the wreck of the Mindoro off the UK coast.
- Samples from the bottle were sent to microbiologists for analysis to determine if the stout is still drinkable.
- The discovery could lead to a recreation of the beer from the 1860s, highlighting the historical significance of the find.
What happened
In a remarkable discovery off the coast of England, a team of divers found a 162-year-old bottle of Guinness while exploring the wreck of the Mindoro. This ship sank on November 27, 1864, after colliding with another vessel, the Khersonese. The divers, led by Stefan Panis, an underwater photographer from Belgium, were astonished to find the glass bottle in the cargo of the ship. The bottle was labeled 'Guinness Extra Stout London,' and Panis expressed his amazement at the find, noting the clarity of the bottle's top.
After the discovery, Panis and his diving partner, Eddie Huzzie, sent samples of the stout to microbiologists at KU Leuven in Belgium for analysis. They hope to recover the complete DNA of the beer, which could allow them to recreate the original brew from the 1860s. Panis mentioned that there is a possibility the stout could still be drinkable, depending on whether seawater had entered the bottle through the cork. He indicated that he would be willing to taste the stout if the analysis confirms its safety.
The wreck of the Mindoro, located three miles off the coast of Dover, is believed to contain more than just this single bottle. Panis speculated that there could be a case of 24 bottles or even more hidden within the wreckage. This discovery has drawn the attention of Diageo, the company that produces Guinness, which is currently working with the divers to gather more information about the find. A spokesperson for Diageo remarked on the significance of such discoveries in understanding heritage and history.
The find not only highlights the historical value of the shipwreck but also raises questions about the preservation of artifacts from the past. The potential to recreate a beer that has not been tasted for over a century and a half adds an intriguing layer to the story. As the analysis progresses, the diving team and Guinness enthusiasts alike await the results, which could lead to a unique tasting experience that connects the present with the past.
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