Two bottled beers were recovered from a shipwreck in 2004 . it was found off the coast of the Åland Islands , Finland . Initial taste tests said beers were ‘ vinegary , sweet and tasted of sour apples ’ This was caused by bacteria that had grown in the bottles over the years . But chemical analysis of the bottles revealed specific flavours . These included ‘ green leaf ’ flavours , sweet apple and rose compounds . This makes them similar to modern lagers and ales rather than stouts .
Two bottled beers were recovered from a shipwreck in 2010 . Schooner was found off the coast of the Åland Islands , Finland . Initial taste tests said beers were ‘ vinegary , goaty and tasted of sour milk ’ This was caused by bacteria that had grown in the bottles over the years . But chemical analysis of the samples revealed specific flavours . These include ‘ green leaf ’ flavours , sweet apple and rose compounds . This makes them similar to modern lagers and ales rather than stouts .