Aug. 7 (UPI) — A diver who found a 162-year-old bottle of Guinness in a shipwreck off the coast of England contacted scientists who might be able to recreate the 1864 version of the stout.

Stefan Panis, an underwater photographer from Belgium, was exploring a shipwreck off the coast of Dover last year when he surfaced with an intact bottle of liquid.

Panis rinsed the bottle and discovered it was labeled “Guinness” and bore the year 1864.

He said the bottle came from what appeared to be a case of 24 — and there might be more cases in the area. Panis said he plans to return to the shipwreck when conditions allow to see if he can recover more bottles.

Scientists at KU Leuven University in Belgium are now looking into whether they can recreate the 162-year-old version of the beer.

“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 told the BBC.

He said the stout inside the bottle may even still be drinkable. Brewing historian Edward Bourke told him the bottle being stored upside-down may have prevented any seawater from entering.

Bourke explained the air bubbles caused when the bottle is upside down creates a pressurized seal.

“There is a possibility that it’s still drinkable,” Panis said. “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.”

Panis, who admitted he is not a big fan of Guinness, said he would be willing to sample the aged brew if it is found to be drinkable.

The discovery was celebrated by Diageo, the company that owns the Guinness brand.

“Discoveries like this provide a fascinating window into our past and help build a deeper understanding of our heritage,” a spokesperson said. “Currently, our Guinness Archive team is liaising with the divers to gather more information and evaluate the find.”