Would you drink a 162-year-old Guinness from a shipwreck?

A Belgian underwater photographer has found a 1864 Guinness bottle in a shipwreck off Dover, prompting tests to see whether the 162-year-old stout is still drinkable.

Belgian underwater photographer Stefan Panis discovered a bottle of Guinness in 2025 while diving off the coast of Dover, and the find has raised the possibility that the 1864 stout could still be drinkable. Panis and his friend Eddie Huzzey surfaced with the bottle from a shipwreck, and a rinse on the surface revealed the Guinness branding.

The bottle dates back to 1864, making it 162 years old. Panis, who has been diving for more than 40 years, contacted Guinness to share the discovery.

A pair of hands holding a black bottle. Written on the top of the cap is 'GUINNESS EXTRA STOUT LONDON'. — Image caption, The bottle of Guinness dates back to 1864

"We lifted the artefact, and then on the surface a quick rinse revealed 'Guinness',"

he said.

So far, Panis has recovered just one bottle, but he believes many more remain buried beneath the sand surrounding the wreck and he already has plans to recover more when conditions allow.

"Seeing the size of the case, I think it is definitely a case of 24 bottles.

"But there might be more cases."

A black bottle. Written on the top of the cap is 'GUINNESS EXTRA STOUT LONDON'. — Image caption, Panis said he believes there are dozens more bottles in the shipwreck

After the discovery, Panis' colleague Pawel Truszynski contacted a microbiologist specialising in beer at KU Leuven University in Belgium. Samples from the bottle have been sent for analysis, with researchers hoping to learn more about what the stout would have tasted like.

"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,"

Panis said.

If successful, researchers could recreate the taste of Guinness as it was brewed in 1864 using samples of the recovered stout.

A photograph taken underwater. A large piece of wood which looks aged. A number of fish swim above it. — Image caption, Panis has been diving for over 40 years

But there may be an even more intriguing possibility.

"There is a possibility that it's still drinkable. The question is if the sea water has come into the bottles through the corks.

"If not, most likely the beer would still be drinkable."

And although Panis admitted he is

"not that big"

a Guinness fan, he didn't hesitate when asked whether he would try the 162-year-old stout if experts declared it safe.

I would try it even though I don't like Guinness

For some people in Belfast, the novelty of drinking a pint that's spent more than 160 years at the bottom of the sea was reason enough to give it a go. Fraser Hill, Katie Wilkinson and Katie White all said curiosity would outweigh any hesitation if they were offered a taste of the recovered Guinness.

Three people sat, smiling at the camera. The man on the left has blond hair and is wearing a dark shirt and sunglasses. The woman in the middle is wearing a blue denim jacket and has long blonde hair. The woman on the right has dark hair and is wearing a pink and white shirt. They are all holding drinks. — Image caption, Fraser Hill (left), Katie Wilkinson, and Katie White (right) said they would try 162-year-old Guinness

"I would try it even though I don't even like Guinness,"

Katie White said.

Others also needed very little convincing. Matt McCoppin said he would try the stout

"in a heartbeat,"

while Natalia Nowacka admitted she would be nervous, but still couldn't resist the opportunity.

Two people smiling at the camera. On the left is a woman with dark curly hair and glasses. She is wearing a black leather jacket and is holding a plastic cup of Guinness. On the right is a man with long blond hair and an auburn beard. He is wearing a white t-shirt and is holding a plastic cup of Guinness. — Image caption, Matt McCoppin and Natalia Nowacka agreed they would try the 162-year-old stout

"I wouldn't know what to expect, I'd be quite scared,"

Natalia said.

Noë Vernet also said the chance to taste such a historic drink was too good to miss.

"For the sheer experience, I would try it,"

he said.

Not everyone was tempted, however. Margaret Barr said she would much rather enjoy a pint of Guinness fresh from the tap than one recovered from the seabed.