150-Year-Old Bottle of Alcohol Discovered in Alta, Utah

Researchers uncover new details about the contents of the historic find

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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A 150-year-old bottle of alcohol discovered in the historic mining town of Alta, Utah is the only one ever known to exist. State officials brought the bottle to High West Distillery for analysis, and researchers have now uncovered that the bottle contained an alcoholic apple-fermented cider.

Why it matters

This discovery provides a rare glimpse into the drinking habits and alcohol production in Utah over 150 years ago. The bottle is a unique historical artifact that offers insights into the state's past and the types of beverages consumed by early residents of the Alta mining community.

The details

Researchers at High West Distillery used multiple methods to analyze the contents of the bottle, including sending samples to third-party labs. Initial results suggest the liquid was a low-alcohol, apple-derived cider or fermented apple product. Further testing is planned to confirm the alcohol content, sugar levels, and other chemical properties of the mysterious 150-year-old liquid.

  • The bottle was discovered over the summer in the historic mining town of Alta, Utah.
  • The State Historic Preservation Office will host an open house on February 19, 2026 where the public can view the bottle and other artifacts found at Alta.

The players

Isaac Winter

Researcher at High West Distillery who analyzed the contents of the 150-year-old bottle.

Tara Lindley

Researcher at High West Distillery who analyzed the contents of the 150-year-old bottle.

State Historic Preservation Office

The government agency that is hosting a public event to showcase the 150-year-old bottle and other artifacts found in Alta.

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What they’re saying

“The lab results are really exciting. We saw a couple of esters that would suggest that the base was apples.”

— Isaac Winter, Researcher, High West Distillery

“Honestly, I don't think I realized how impactful this would be, and meaningful. Now we're starting to understand at least ... one of the things that people were drinking in this area back then.”

— Tara Lindley, Researcher, High West Distillery

What’s next

Researchers plan to conduct further testing on the bottle's contents, including confirming the alcohol content, analyzing the sugar levels, and identifying any other chemical properties. The goal is to not only study the historic liquid, but potentially recreate it as well.

The takeaway

This rare 150-year-old bottle of alcohol found in Alta, Utah provides a unique window into the drinking habits and local production of alcoholic beverages in the state's past. The discovery highlights the importance of preserving and studying historical artifacts, which can reveal fascinating insights about a community's history and culture.