Dogfish Head Relaunches Ancient Midas Touch Beer

The Delaware brewery brings back its iconic beverage inspired by 2,700-year-old archaeological findings.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Beer

Screen-print poster illustration of an ancient ceramic vessel nestled in sand among golden wheat, evoking historic brewing traditions. — Delaware-based Dogfish Head has officially relaunched its Midas Touch beer, an experimental brew inspired by ancient remnants linked to King Midas. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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In October 2026, Delaware-based Dogfish Head brought back its Midas Touch beer, a unique beverage originally debuted by the brewery in 1999. The beer is inspired by ancient remnants discovered in a tomb and linked to King Midas.

Why it matters

The brewery revived the recipe following repeated requests from guests and followers who wanted to see the experimental beer return. This release reinforces the brand's identity as an experimental producer committed to historical brewing techniques.

The beer contains a blend of barley, honey, white Muscat grapes, and saffron, resulting in a 9 percent alcohol by volume content. The recipe is based on chemical analysis of residues found at a 2,700-year-old archaeological site in Turkey.

The players

Dogfish Head

This Delaware-based brewery is known for its experimental approach to beer production and historical research.

Patrick McGovern

He is an archaeologist who oversaw the research into the ancient beverage remnants that inspired the recipe.

King Midas

He is a historical figure whose associated tomb provided the 2,700-year-old remnants used to recreate the ancient drink.

The details

Archaeologists identified the ingredients and composition of the ancient drink by testing vessel remnants associated with King Midas. Dogfish Head, which has properties throughout Delaware, may soon expand the availability of the beer to grocery stores across the U.S.

Dogfish Head originally released Midas Touch in 1999.
The brewery brought back Midas Touch in October 2026.

Culture Shift

The revival of Midas Touch highlights a growing consumer interest in historical brewing and archaeological storytelling. This trend moves away from modern trend-chasing, favoring deep-rooted historical narratives and niche production methods that appeal to enthusiast audiences.

Fans in Delaware can look for the beer at local outlets as the brewery brings back the historic recipe. As distribution potentially widens to national grocery stores, consumers should check availability based on their specific regional market.

The takeaway

Revisiting classic experimental recipes can bridge the gap between historical research and modern consumer products. Interested drinkers should note that this beer features a higher alcohol content than many standard ales, reflecting its ancient, wine-like composition.