How can I reuse or recycle not nice homebrewed beer?
We’ve had an email from Simone:
My hubby and I have been homebrewing for a couple of years but our last batch was not nice at all! We’ve got 40 bottles of it but don’t want to drink it ourselves and don’t think it would be fair to force it on others either! Is there anything to be done with it other than pouring it away?
Since I’m obsessed with gardening these days, the first idea that springs to mind is slug traps – they’re not fussy about the quality or taste of the beer. (We’ve not had to use slug traps this year because it’s been too hot and dry for the critters but I’ve used some five years out of date four-for-80p lager for my beer traps in the past and they’ve dived in as if it’s the finest ale of the gods.)
Other ideas may depend on why it’s “not nice at all”. If it’s a problem with the mouthfeel or strength of flavour, you might be able to reuse it for making something like beer bread or in pies/stews.
And if there is a possibility it’s just a matter of taste, perhaps you should try it on some less discerning friends — or if it’s really vile, use it to teach kids not to drink (“this is what all beer tastes like, you should stick to lemonade” “yes mum, it’s horrible” – perhaps an unwise idea from the “smoke a whole box of cigars” school of parenting ;) )
Anyone else got any other ideas?
Oh slug traps definitely, it’ll rain at some point and then they’ll be all over the place, and it’s dead expensive to buy beer to fill the traps all the time. Give it away to other gardeners and allotmenters for the same purpose too.
Since posting this this morning, I’ve read two completely separate articles about using beer as a hair conditioner or no-poo rinse. The universe is clearly trying to tell me something ;)
Some people say use it one part beer to three parts water, others say equal parts beer and apple cider vinegar. I guess there is an element of finding out what works for you and your locks, but it might be worth giving it a go.
I assumed it could be composted, but wondered about its effects. Check out this lab report by some people who experimented with it. They found that it accelerated decomposition. Kinda fun to know.
http://natsci.edgewood.edu/wingra/student_projects/Composting%20with%20Beer2/
Carol
If you make your own pizza dough we know a local establishment that reduces the yeast and water content by using a well known brand of export.
Might be an option for a little bit.
beer batter for fish.
hair conditioner.
I have seen recipes for homemade soap using beer, as well as the ever delicious beer-battered onion rings, to go along with Linda’s beer-battered fish!
I use beer not as a hair conditioner, but as a hair fixer. I’ve put it in a spray bottle and just spray it after brushing my hair. At first, it feels a bit strange to smell beer so early in the morning :-), but when it is dry, you don’t smell anything anymore.
I agree, it should be used to put children of beer.
I guess if they have a really bad experience – they won’t be wanting to try it in a hurry. Like a bad experience at the dentist or a bad flight.
Secondly – what tasts bad to one – is a gift to another.
I’m sure some of your friends will love the tasste of it – so don’t treat, there will be a taker along shortly. . .
my uncle regularly uses beer (way) beyond its expiry date for distilling his own beer schnapps – but I suppose the required equipment is somewhat prohibitive…
It would be fine for batter. Not sure if it would work but what about trying to make scones – there are some real easy recipes around for making scones with a can of 7UP or lemonade soda-pop etc so maybe you could replace the 7UP with beer? Mind you, 40 bottles of beer would make a lot of scones!
There are so many recipes that use beer for cooking, such as chicken in beer and vegetables, very tasty!
Last weekend some friends of my friends suggested using old/horrible beer for gardening. Dilute it with water, and give to plants. I might try that the next time there’s any leftover beer.
beer brats, beer cheese dip, lost of stews ask for beer. I would look for recipes for various things that use beer and utilize that beer.