Birra Etrusca, an Ancient Ale based on evidence found in 2,800-year-old Etruscan tombs, is back on taps and shelves where Dogfish is sold.

To develop the recipe for Birra Etrusca Bronze, Dogfish Head's Sam Calagione traveled to Rome with molecular archaeologist Dr. Pat McGovern and analyzed drinking vessels found in 2,800-year-old Etruscan tombs. 

Although Italian historians were a little reluctant to admit it, the team clearly found that the Etruscans had a taste for ale (along with wine, of course).

The backbone of Birra Etrusca comes from two-row malted barley and an heirloom Italian wheat. Specialty ingredients include hazelnut flour, pomegranates, Italian chestnut honey, Delaware wildflower honey and clover honey. A handful of whole-flower hops are added, but the bulk of the bitterness comes from gentian root and the sarsaparilla-like Ethiopian myrrh resin.

The yeast was retro-engineered by crossing a Saccharomyces species found in Tuscan Vin Santo (“Holy Wine”) with another from the famous wine region of Montalcino in Tuscany. The beer was also fermented on bronze, like the ancient brewing vessels.

Here’s the lowdown on the Etrusca release. ... We started shipping the beer in late June. We ship to wholesalers first, so it should have made its way to retailers by now. Use our Fish Finder to help you track some down.

Birra Etrusca is headed to all markets where Dogfish is sold: AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, NH, NJ, NC, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI

That should do it ... cheers!