Stallhagen enters marketplace based on bottles discovered off Finland coast in 2010 after being underwater since 1842

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

Belgian scientists have successfully recreated a 19th-century beer that was discovered during the search of a shipwreck off the coast of Finland in 2010.

The bottles had lain 50 metres underwater since 1842. The government of the autonomous Åland Islands called on researchers at Belgium’s KU Leuven’s Brewing Technology Research Group to analyse the antique brew.

Following several years of reconstruction work, a Finnish brewery is now marketing what it claims is an accurate recreation of the beer.

Stallhagen is ready to introduce the unique flavour to the international market, whilst producers in Belgium gear up to mass-produce the 172-year-old liquor with a price tag of €113 (£89) a bottle.

Brewmaster Gert De Rouck fermented a lineup of test beers using the same ingredients found in the shipwrecked bottles.

“Based on the micro-organisms in the bottles, we were able to figure out which type of yeast and bacteria were used by the beer’s 19th-century brewers. This information allowed us to trace the beer back to Belgium,” said De Rouck.

“We combined history and tradition with innovative brewing knowledge. The symbiosis between the organisms and the malt flavours results in the very special overall flavour of this beer.”

With an alcohol content of 4.7%, the beer is much sweeter than modern brews because of the way the malt was produced.

The expensive 1842 bottle is the high-end version targeting connoisseur consumers, while a “more commercially viable” replica – Stallhagen 1843 – sells at around €6 for a 37.5cl bottle in Finland. There are plans to promote the beer on a global scale, with profits helping to support scientific projects, including archaeological research in Finnish waters.

“This beer is absolutely delicious and offers consumers a taste of history,” said Stallhagen CEO Jan Wennström. “It’s very champagne-like with soft bubbles because of the way it has been made to replicate the original which used very little hops so it’s golden yellow with none of the typical bitterness or hops aroma. The taste profile is closer to wine than beer.

“It’s a fascinating story and we’ve all been working hard for a very long time on this project and are excited to be bringing the beer to market.”