150-Year-Old Alcohol Bottle Unearthed in Rare Location

In a remarkable discovery, archaeologists have unearthed a 150-year-old alcohol bottle in Alta, Utah. This find occurred at an excavation site in the Wasatch Mountains, an area historically recognized for its mining activities in the 19th century.

Significance of the Discovery

The excavation team, led by archaeologist Ian Wright, found the bottle during their dig. Such well-preserved alcohol bottles from the 1870s are rarely discovered in Utah. Wright expressed curiosity about the contents of the bottle, remarking, “We thought, ‘Hey, let’s take it to the experts and see if we can find out what exactly is in it.’”

The Examination Process

The bottle was transported to High West Distillery, Utah’s first legal distillery, established in 1870. Isaac Winter, the head of distilling at High West, noted that the bottle remained in “reasonably good shape” despite its age. Before opening, the team assessed the cork, which released a slightly vinegary aroma.

• Team used a Coravin device to extract liquid without fully removing the cork.
• The first scent detected was an “oxidised fruit note.”
• Additional notes included a hint of leather and significant aging.

Initial Findings

Upon careful examination, the experts concluded that the contents were likely beer rather than wine or distilled spirits. Filtration revealed a cloudy appearance due to sediment settled at the bottom.

Winter highlighted that “the very bottom of the bottle was sort of turbid – it was sort of milky.” Future analyses are planned, including tests to check the viability of any remaining yeast, which could provide insights into brewing methods from that era.

Future Steps and Tasting

Winter took a cautious taste of the extracted liquid, describing it as not unpleasant. He noted, “I had a little bit of trepidation going into it, but you have to try it.” His assessment indicated it did not possess any foul odors, such as gasoline or tobacco.

This discovery echoes similar efforts by distillers to resurrect long-lost recipes, such as the attempts by Mammoth Distilling in Michigan to revive a historic grain from a shipwreck. These initiatives could breathe new life into regional agricultural economies.

The findings from this unearthing in Alta, Utah, not only tell a story about a bygone era but also spark excitement about potential brewing methods and flavors that could be revisited and revived.