Viking beer recreated through archaeology debuts in Leeds

A 9th century-inspired Viking ale created through archaeological research and experimental brewing will make its debut at this month’s Great Exhibition of Prize Ales festival at The Tetley.

Bradford-based brewery Amity Brew Co has collaborated with archaeologist Dr Brian Costello of University of Leicester part of research collective The Body-Politics to recreate a beer inspired by brewing traditions from the Viking Age.

The beer named Raven Starver is a 6% Smoked Juniper Ale combining Nordic Kveik yeast, juniper branches, juniper berries, heritage grains, rye, smoked malts and historic malts to create what the collaborators believe is one of the closest approximations possible to a Viking-era beer using modern brewing techniques.

Unlike many heritage beers that rely solely on surviving written recipes, this project draws heavily on archaeological evidence uncovered from Viking Age excavations, alongside experimental brewing research from Scandinavia and Germany.

Dr Brian Costello said: “This project was initially inspired by research published last year exploring intoxication and ritual in the Viking Age. Archaeology offers us an incredible opportunity to understand how people brewed and consumed alcohol long before modern recipes existed.

“Many of the ingredients and methods we’ve used are supported by excavated evidence. During the Viking Age, grains were malted over open fires, which would have given beer a smoky character. Juniper was commonly managed and cultivated across Scandinavia, while rye and hops also appear in the archaeological record far earlier than many people realise.”

The collaboration builds on research featured in Bodies of Intoxication within the open-access publication Ritual Performances in the Viking Age.

Josh Waldock, sales and events manager at Amity Brew Co.said: “This has been a genuinely fascinating collaboration. It’s not every day you get to help bring a 9th century beer back to life.

“We wanted to create something that feels authentic while still being drinkable and exciting for modern craft beer fans. The smoky malt character, juniper notes and traditional Kveik yeast create a beer unlike anything else we’ve brewed.”

Historically, juniper branches are believed to have been used in brewing as filters, preservatives and antiseptics traditions that continued in Scandinavian farmhouse brewing for centuries. The use of Nordic Kveik yeast also reflects historic farmhouse fermentation techniques native to the region.

The beer will be poured at the Great Exhibition of Prize Ales festival in Leeds, where visitors will also be able to access further information about the archaeological research through an accompanying information display and QR code linking to The Body-Politics.

The collaboration partners hope the project could eventually lead to further research opportunities, larger-scale brewing production and wider public engagement with experimental archaeology and heritage brewing.

Dr Costello added: “There’s growing interest internationally in recreating historic and archaeological beers, particularly in Scandinavia and Germany. We hope this project helps demonstrate how archaeology can engage wider audiences through something tangible, sensory and social.”