10 Things to do with Beer

I am not a big beer drinker so I did some research on other things you can do with beer besides drink it. I found this article in a Men's Health Magazine. They listed 42 things I just picked my favorite. Enjoy!

1. Bathe in it- the alcohol softens the skin.

2. Put out a Fire-Although certainly not as effective as a real fire extinguisher, a can or bottle of beer can mimic one if none is available. Simply shake and spritz. After all, beer is mostly water. This works on small grill flare-ups, and some people have been known to carry an emergency can in their car in case of engine fire.

3. Marinate Meat-Beer is slightly acidic - and that makes it an excellent meat tenderizer. This allows you to enjoy leaner cuts that otherwise might be too tough. Poke a few holes in the meat, and add beer. (English ale is great for beef.) Marinate in the refrigerator for a few hours or, better yet, overnight. Do not drink the marinade.

4. Polish Pots-In days of yore, the last bit of beer from spent kegs was collected and used to polish the copper vats in breweries. Because of its acidity you can just pour some on, let it sit for a while, then wipe it off.

5. Catch Mice- Slugs aren't the only pests with a fatal attraction to beer. You can also trap mice with it. Set out a few small pails or bowls of beer, with a small ramp leading up to the lip. The mice will be attracted by the smell, hop in, drink their fill, and then be unable to climb out.

6.Shampoo your hair- Not only is beer the remedy for a dull party, it's also the cure for dull hair. Pour a cup into a small saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Let it reduce until there's 1/4 cup left. This removes the alcohol, which can dry hair. Let the beer cool, then mix it with a cup of your favorite shampoo. Pour it into an empty shampoo bottle, then wash and rinse as usual. It'll give your hair more shine and luster.

7. Loosen Rusty Bolts- Pour some beer on them and wait a few minutes. The carbonation may help break up the rust.

8. Clear up Brown spots in the yard- the fermented sugars in beer stimulate plant growth and kill fungi. It is recommended spraying either home brew or Rolling Rock (both are chemical-free) on those annoying brown spots in your lawn.

9. Pass a Kidney Stone- As you've undoubtedly noticed, beer is a diuretic. It helps flush the kidneys and bladder. This can be beneficial if you're suffering from a bladder infection or kidney stone. It helps dilate the ureters [the tubes connecting the kidneys and bladder], which may help you pass a stone quicker and easier. Plus, the alcohol will take the edge off the pain.

10.Kill Slugs-Gather a few empty jars and fill them a third of the way with cheap beer. Then bury them about 15 feet from your garden. Make sure the rims are almost level with the soil surface. For some reason, slugs love beer. They'll find the traps, drop in, and drown. Do this in the evening, let them party all night, and give them an honorable burial in the morning.

Beer and Ice Cream?

What a strange combination. That is something I would not think of going together.

While down at the beach last month as I lie baking in the sun, I was asked by the brew master if I could make some home made ice cream. So I quickly agreed without knowing what kind he wanted-- because I love Ice Cream!! So here it is Labor Day weekend and I am making Wake N Bake flavored Ice Cream. He found the recipe in the Southern Brew News. If you are not familiar with the Wake n Bake Oatmeal Imperial Stout it is a combination of the two "breweries" Terrapin and Jittery Joes (coffee). This special blend includes premium coffee beans from Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Zimbabwe. It is dark in color having a rich coffee smell with an abv of 8.5%.

This was a very simple recipe. Heavy cream, a 120z bottle of Wake N Bake Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout, Sugar, Cocoa Powder, and Egg Yolks. Heat it up and pour it in the ice cream container. Unfortunately the alcohol is burned out. Then the magic happens.

The ice cream smells just like the beer! It looks like chocolate ice cream but looks can be deceiving-- it does not taste like chocolate! I think that you have to be a fan of the Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout to like this ice cream. So grab a spoon because the ice cream is done!

A New Brew Buddy

Many of you have already been introduced to this new addition to the Brew Crew. You know her as B.C (Birth Control) Her name was changed to protect her innocence. Here she is helping in the racking process. When she is not brewing beer she splits her time at home with her mommy and being a dog model. Check out her work on the photo gallery at www.generationdog.com (she is the last one wearing a white t-shirt)

Ok back to the beer….
So this made me start thinking how good is it to give dogs beer? There are so many owners who like to share their brew with their dogs. Some dogs really seem to enjoy drinking beer.

In my research I found that there are some bad long term effects. Just like a human drinking beer a dog can experience a sense of euphoria. This can cause your beloved pooch to stumble and fall and let's not forget the throwing up that comes after drinking too much. They also can wake up after a night of drinking with a hang over. It can also cause liver damage just like in humans. In order for the alcoholic beverage to really hurt your dog they would have consume about 10 beers a day. I am sorry to report that there is not a Doggie AA organization.

How can you help your dog ditch the bottle?
There is a special beer brewed just for dogs. It is called Kwispelbier. The name is Dutch and means wagging tail. This is a non- alcoholic beer. Dogs really do not seem to know the difference. It tastes like beer. They do not know that it does not have alcohol in it. The brew master is a pet shop owner named Terrie Berenden. She made the brew from beef extract and malts. If your dog is truly your best friend you will have to shell out some money for this beer. It cost $2.14 a bottle.

For all you dogs and dog lovers remember to drink responsibly!!

Pinger Anyone?

What is a pinger you might ask?

Well it is the beer that a woman leaves at the bottom of the beer bottle and refuses to drink it because it is just hot backwash! And let’s face it is has to be only women who do that because a man would have to turn in his balls if he were to waste beer. So I was tired of my boyfriend always telling me that I am wasting his heavenly brew so I did a little research on what you can do with you left over pinger.
Some spas have actually added beer to there menus. Now boys do not get excited it is your pores that will be doing most of the drinking!
If you want super shiny hair forget about drinking that cold beer, pour it over your hair. Now let your hair air dry. (Stick with a lite beer)

You will definitely have the people wondering
A: How did you get your shiny hair and B: What does your hair smell like?
You can also give your feet a nice treat. Instead of using soap or salts in your pedicure tub try dipping your toes into a bath filled with an enzyme-rich beer bath. Your happy feet will emerge smooth and silky.

Now what if you are a home brewer? Can you say Facial??

You can use the left over malts and hops to create your very own mask. By scrubbing your face with this mixture your skin will be eliminated of blackheads and your pores will be deeply cleaned. You can also use this mixture for your body. How about 60 minutes in the tub. Soak your body in the Malts and Barley for a detoxifying scrub…Talk about Happy Hour!!

The next time you are about to waste that pinger, just stop and think of all the things you can do with that little bit of beer.

If you do not feel like putting in the work yourself then here is a list of the spas that offer these services:

The Spa at Kingsmill
The Spa at Omin Interlocken
The Millcroft Centre for Well-Being
Exsalonce Salon & Day Spa

Is Merry really a Wicked Berry?

I was surprised to find out that My-Ex boyfriend named a beer after me. Let’s face it you do not expect someone to do that after you supposedly break their heart! I guess one good thing came out of our break up. He told me that several people have enjoyed my name sake. So of course I was eager to try it out. So let’s get down to business!
The Name: Wicked Merry’s Berry
Wicked: Growing up my mother always called me her precious little angel, so I can’t take credit for the wicked part. We all know that angels can be naughty..... but never wicked!
Merry: Most people assume that my name must be Mary! Well it is not! You should know what happens when we assume!! Merry is a nickname I was given by the brew master.
Berry: SweetWater blue is my favorite beer. So I am guessing this gave him the idea to make his own blueberry beer. Is it too coincidental that Merry rhymes with Berry?
The Beer:
It took me over a month to sit down and pour up a glass of my very special beer. I took out a pint tumbler glass that I confiscated from SweetWater on one of our bottling adventures (I thought it was fitting) Popped the turtle top, then slowly poured it like I was instructed by my x! Hey I still remember how to do some things. I saw the remnants of hand crushed blueberries. My only hope is he wasn't picturing me while he was crushing them. Once poured I immediately noticed the color and smell. The color was a nice brown and the smell was sweet! I like watching the bubbles swirl around in the glass. The first sip hit my taste buds with sizzle! It had a nice taste! I was pleasantly surprised. I can’t decide if I like the berry part or the taste of honey the best. I drank the rest of my beer thinking of all the good times I had helping brew beer. I was always amazed that my “x” could brew his own beer and for him to name one after me was truly an honor. I wonder would he have named a beer after me if we had stayed together. Well I guess everything happens for a reason and we will never know! I look forward to enjoying more bottles of my beer. Who knows maybe if I am “wicked” again I will get another beer named after me.