Food & DrinkFoodDogfish Head Brewery

Resurrecting Ancient Brews

Resurrecting Ancient Brews
|
Open Image Modal

It sounds like a dream job for some but researching ancient beer recipes is no easy task. Smithsonian magazine profiles Professor Patrick McGovern (known as "Dr. Pat" by Dogfish Head Brewery owner Sam Calagione) and his quest to discover clues about extinct civilizations through the libations they imbibed.

In between excavations and his archaeology research, McGovern has found time to collaborate with Calagione on five different beers, all inspired by ancient civilizations. Check out the slideshow below to learn more about these traditional-yet-modern brews.

Dogfish Head's Ancient Beers
Midas Touch(01 of05)
Open Image Modal
Midas Touch, available year-round, is made from an ancient Turkish recipe that is the "actual oldest-known fermented beverage in the world." It tastes somewhere between wine, beer and mead and has won a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival, another gold at the International Mead Festival, and a silver at the World Beer Cup.
Chateau Jiahu(02 of05)
Open Image Modal
Chateau Jiahu was inspired by a 9,000-year-old Chinese recipe of rice, honey and fruit. The recipe was discovered through preserved located in the Neolithic villiage of Jiahu, within the Henan Province.In the modern version, the brew consists of brown rice syrup, orange blossom honey, muscat grape, barley malt and hawthorn berry.
Theobroma(03 of05)
Open Image Modal
This ancient Honduran alcoholic chocolate drink was used to toast special occasions.Theobroma's current version has Aztec cocoa powder and cocoa nibs, honey, chilies and annatto.
Chicha(04 of05)
Open Image Modal
Chicha is a native corn beer throughout Central and South American. Dogfish Head's version (made in very small batches) consists of pink Peruvian pepper corns, yellow maize, organic Peruvian purple maize and (US) strawberries.The purple maize is actually moistened in the chicha-makers mouths, formed into small, flattened cakes and then dried. Note: the grain-chewing happens before the beer is boiled so the beer is completely sterile.
Ta Henket(05 of05)
Open Image Modal
This beer was described in Egyptian hieroglyphics and flavored with doum palm fruit, chamomile, and zatar. On a trip to Egypt, Dogfish Head obtained a native Egyptian saccharomyces yeast strain to enable fermentation.

To learn more about the brews, see Dogfish Head's full rundown here. To learn more about McGovern's work, check our Smithsonian magazine's piece here.

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost

Related

FoodDogfish Head Brewery
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip

HuffPost Shopping’s Best Finds

AirPods Are On Sale For The Lowest Price This Year

The 1 Shoe Podiatrists Say You Should Try If You’re On Your Feet A Lot

This Affordable Drugstore Cream Might Be The Closest Thing To The Famous La Mer

These Comfortable Slip-On Shoes Can Really Help Folks With Limited Mobility

Reviewers Are Obsessed With These Comfortable Sneaker Sandals — Here's Why

MORE IN LIFE

Wellness

The 1 Thing You Should Never, Ever Text Someone With Anxiety

Style & Beauty

Men’s Shapewear Is Here, But Will Men Actually Wear It? We Asked Them.

Work/Life

This Type Of Employee Is The Most Likely To Burn Out At Work

Parenting

21 Hilarious Yet Humbling Things Kids Have Said To Their Parents

Travel

This Growing Travel Trend Is Way More Fun Than A Regular Vacation

Life

This Surreal Comedy Is The Top Movie On Netflix Right Now

Shopping

A Parent's Secret Weapon For Travel Is 40% Off Right Now

Shopping

This TikTok-Viral Bird Feeder Camera Is On Sale Right Now

Shopping

This Is The Bedding That Amazon Shoppers Are Obsessed With

Shopping

27 Home Products Amazon Customers Are Loving Right Now

Shopping

27 Little Upgrades That'll Make Your Backyard Your New Favorite Place

Shopping

9 'Exceptional' Men's Sun-Protective Clothing To Help Protect Your Skin

Shopping

This TikTok-Famous ‘Hair Milk’ Is The Secret To Perfect Air-Dried Hair

Shopping

8 Romance Books To Read If You Liked The 'Bridgerton' Series

Parenting

The 10 Rudest Things You Can Do In A Parents Group Chat

Shopping

Reviewers Say This Rice Water Cleanser Is A True Skin Care Gem — And It's Under $10

Shopping

This TikTok-Viral Bird Feeder Camera Is On Sale Right Now

Shopping

The Expert-Loved Solawave Red Light Wand Is 46% Off Right Now

Shopping

This Is The 1 Home Tool Everyone Should Have — And It’s On Sale Right Now

Shopping

These Nail And Hand Care Products Will Make Your Digits Look Perfect

Parenting

18 Tweets About The Realities Of Signing Kids Up For Summer Camp

Shopping

These Reviewer-Favorite Black Swimsuits Are All Under $40 At Amazon

Shopping

21 Last-Minute Mother’s Day Gifts That Will Arrive On Time

Shopping

People Who 'Hate' Cleaning Swear By These 29 Products, And You Will Too

Shopping

Of All The Plumping Lip Treatments, This $13 One Is My Favorite

Shopping

Amazon Is Having A Huge Sale On Pet Supplies. Here Are 15 Deals You Shouldn’t Miss.

Shopping

These $150 Boots Look Way More Expensive — And They're Actually Comfortable

Wellness

Are Desk Workers Doomed To Have Hunchbacks? Here's What Experts Think.

Style & Beauty

This Old-School Hack For Soft Hands Is Still The Best Around

Relationships

The Funniest Marriage Tweets To Get You Through This Week

Shopping

This Is The 1 Home Tool Everyone Should Have — And It’s On Sale Right Now

Shopping

These Beautiful Jewelry Pieces Are Under $50 On Amazon And Perfect For Mother's Day

Shopping

Hurry: These 18 Outdoor Furniture Deals For Wayfair’s Way Day Sale Won't Last Much Longer

Shopping

31 Way Day Deals That You Should Jump On ASAP Before The Sale Ends Tonight

Shopping

12 Men's T-Shirts That Reviewers Are Buying In Bulk From Amazon

Life

This New Drama Miniseries Is The Top Show On Netflix Right Now

Shopping

The Luxury Serum That Has Kept My Mom's Skin Glowing For Years Is 15% Off Right Now

Shopping

Reviewers Adore These Lightweight Massage Balls For Long Walks And Hikes

Shopping

29 Quick-Fix Solutions To Common Home Problems

Shopping

Reviewers Say This $13 Glow Balm Is Miles Better Than The Expensive Version