Divers find 162-year-old Guinness in shipwreck off the English coast

Divers have uncovered a 162-year-old bottle of Guinness in a shipwreck off the coast of Dover, England. The discovery was made by Belgian underwater photographer Stefan Panis during a dive in 2025. Upon surfacing, Panis and his companion, Eddie Huzzey, rinsed the bottle and identified the iconic Guinness branding. The bottle, dated to 1864, represents a rare historical artifact and offers a glimpse into the past. The shipwreck, located near the English Channel, appears to contain multiple containers of the famed Irish stout. Panis, an experienced diver with over four decades of underwater exploration, noted the presence of a large case, suggesting the potential for up to 24 bottles. He expressed confidence that additional bottles remain buried within the sediment surrounding the wreck. Plans are underway to return to the site under suitable conditions to recover further artifacts. To better understand the condition and history of the preserved beverage, Panis collaborated with Pawel Truszynski, a fellow diver and researcher. Truszynski reached out to a microbiologist specializing in beer at KU Leuven University in Belgium. Samples from the bottle have been sent for detailed analysis. Researchers hope to determine whether the beer retains its original flavor and whether it could be safely consumed today. There is speculation that the complete DNA of the brew might be recoverable, allowing scientists to attempt a recreation of the 19th-century recipe. The possibility that the beer might still be drinkable has sparked considerable interest. Panis acknowledged that the integrity of the contents depends on whether seawater entered the bottles via the corks. If sealed properly, the beer could potentially remain viable. Despite his personal admission that he is not particularly fond of Guinness, Panis expressed willingness to sample the aged stout if deemed safe by experts. Public reaction to the discovery has been varied. In Belfast, several individuals expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of tasting a 162-year-old pint. Fraser Hill, Katie Wilkinson, and Katie White all indicated that curiosity would drive them to try the historic brew, even if they were not typically fans of Guinness. Katie White humorously stated she would try it despite her lack of preference for the brand. Others, including Matt McCoppin and Natalia Nowacka, echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging their apprehension yet expressing eagerness to experience the unique beverage. Natalia admitted she would feel nervous but still be drawn to the opportunity. Noë Vernet similarly emphasized the allure of sampling such a rare and historically significant drink. However, not everyone shared the same level of excitement. Margaret Barr, a regular Guinness consumer, opted for caution, preferring the freshness of a modern pint over the risks associated with an ancient brew. She described herself as a "big Guinness drinker" but not a "risk taker." Similarly, Andrew Clarke suggested he would try the beer "halfway down me," indicating a playful approach to the challenge of consuming a centuries-old drink. As the scientific community continues to analyze the bottle’s contents, the broader public awaits further developments. Whether the beer will ever be tasted or simply serve as a valuable historical relic remains uncertain. For now, the discovery stands as a remarkable example of how time and preservation can yield unexpected treasures from the depths of the ocean.