Scientists who uncovered a bottle of yeast that’d been under the sea in an 18th century shipwreck crafted what they are calling the world’s oldest beer.
The contents of the bottle were analyzed after being salvaged from the protected Historic Shipwreck Sydney Cove, at Preservation Island, Tasmania.
The team consisted of scientists from Australia, France, Germany and Belgium and was formed by David Thurrowgood of the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery.
Having sank in 1797, it doesn’t sound like anything made from yeast that old could be safe to drink, much less taste good, but the beer was said to have a pleasant taste.
“The beer has a distinctly light and fresh flavour, giving a taste that has not been sipped for 220 years,” said Thurrowgood.
Apparently beer will be delicious no matter what time period it’s from.
“The yeast is unique to science, and has genetic links to European brewing, baking and wine yeast used before modern specialised strains were developed,” he continued.
Don’t expect this to be the last creation to come from the shipwreck, the scientists have already baked some sourdough bread to go along with their beer. They’re not planning to stop their into other old brews.
“We will also study the wine and spirits from the cargo, possibly enabling the recreation of other historic brews,” said Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery Director, Richard Mulvaney.
