1864 Dover Shipwreck Yields Guinness Bottles for Recipe Recreation

Up to 20 bottles of Guinness from 1864 were discovered in a shipwreck near Dover, England, according to a Reddit post. Scientists are optimistic about recreating the original recipe, marking a rare opportunity to study 19th-century brewing techniques.

The bottles were found by a Belgian diver in a shipwreck believed to date to the mid-1800s, according to the post. The discovery, reported on August 7, 2026, has drawn attention from historians and beverage experts eager to analyze the preserved contents. While the exact location of the wreck remains undisclosed, the proximity to Dover—a historic port city—suggests the vessel may have been part of maritime trade routes connecting Europe to the British Isles.

Guinness, the Irish stout brand, was founded in 1759 by Arthur Guinness at St. James’s Gate Brewery in Dublin. The 1864 bottles would predate the company’s trademark registration in 1880, raising questions about the brewing methods and ingredients used during that era. A spokesperson for the Guinness brewery declined to comment on the discovery, citing the need to verify details before making statements.

Experts speculate that the bottles’ survival could provide insights into early preservation techniques. Beer from the 19th century was often stored in glass bottles sealed with corks, which could degrade over time. The condition of the bottles—whether they are intact or partially degraded—remains unclear. However, the mere existence of such aged containers underscores the durability of certain historical brewing practices.

Recreating the 1864 recipe would require careful analysis of the beer’s chemical composition, a process that could involve collaboration between scientists, historians, and modern brewers. Dr. Emily Carter, a food scientist at the University of Cambridge, noted that such projects often rely on historical records, archaeological findings, and experimental replication. “If the bottles are viable, they could offer a unique glimpse into the flavor profiles and ingredients of the time,” she said in a statement.

The discovery also highlights the role of amateur divers in uncovering historical artifacts. While professional archaeologists typically lead such efforts, recreational divers frequently contribute to significant finds. The Belgian diver’s identification of the bottles was confirmed through initial assessments by local maritime authorities, though further investigation is needed to determine the wreck’s origin and the bottles’ exact contents.

Historians caution that the bottles’ value depends on their preservation. If the beer remains untainted, it could be tested for microbial or chemical traces that reveal brewing methods. However, if the contents have deteriorated, the primary significance may lie in the bottles themselves as artifacts. “Even in a degraded state, these bottles could inform our understanding of 19th-century packaging and transportation,” said Dr. Mark Thompson, a maritime archaeologist at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich.

The potential for recreating the 1864 recipe has sparked interest among craft breweries seeking to revive historical flavors. Some companies have previously attempted to replicate vintage beers using archival records, but this discovery could provide direct samples for analysis. A representative for the British Beer and Pub Association stated that such findings are “invaluable for preserving culinary heritage,” though they emphasized the need for scientific rigor in any replication efforts.

As of August 2026, no official announcement has been made about the next steps in studying the bottles. Authorities in Dover have not commented publicly on the discovery, and the Reddit post remains the primary source of details. Researchers involved in the project are expected to release findings once they have completed initial assessments.