Craft Brewer Recreates Ancient Beer Recipe Based on Archaeological Findings

MILTON, Del. — Craft brewery Dogfish Head has produced Midas Touch, a beverage formulated from molecular evidence extracted from 2,700-year-old drinking vessels. The recipe reconstructs an ancient beverage profile using archaeological data gathered from a royal tomb site located in modern-day Turkey.

The production process incorporates specific ingredients identified through chemical analysis of organic residues. Brewers combined barley malt, White Muscat grapes, thyme honey, and saffron to mirror the fermented beverage consumed during the Phrygian period.

Historical reconstructions provide craft breweries with distinct product differentiation in a competitive marketplace. By tying beverage production directly to scientific research, the brewery establishes a brand narrative that relies on historical heritage rather than standard commercial beverage styles.

The ancient formula bridges traditional brewing categories, occupying a hybrid space between beer, wine, and mead. Chemical testing of the original artifact samples revealed a multi-ingredient beverage, prompting modern brewers to adopt specialized techniques to balance the sweet and floral notes of the historical inputs.

Dogfish Head continues to offer the specialized brew as part of its permanent product portfolio. The offering remains available through specialty liquid retailers and select draft accounts across the United States.