Reuse

I thought this story on a company reusing spend grains from beer for food was fascinating. I had no idea that these could be so useful! The standard line I heard about spent grain use was as feed for livestock.

Editing

Here’s a neat story about how they’re using CRISPR gene editing to manipulate yeast for beer. I’ve seen the yeasts available but have been reluctant to try them as I’m not sure I want the level of fruitiness they offer in beers I make.

But still, pretty cool!

Where Yeast Comes From (Sorta)

Here’s a really neat post, talking about how they’re using gene sequencing to find out where yeasts that make beer originated geographically.

Using ale yeast makes sense-beer is a centuries old food, and humans would have an interest in utilizing it, much in the same way that we kept avocados around. So being able to trace it can help fill in bits and pieces of our ancient history-which I think is cool.

Old Old School

This is a neat story about archaeologists being called in to excavate one of the oldest breweries in the Northwest! Nice to know I’m part of a fine tradition.

Past Becomes Present

I have been hoping something like this would happen. I’ve been posting stories for years about beer or wine that’s been salvaged from shipwrecks, and about scientists looking at those beverages.

Taking data from those drinks can illuminate how human beings have impacted our environment.

BUT. There’s this Very Cool Thing where we get to play with yeasts from decades ago, and see how those yeasts impacted the food and drink of the day, and I’m psyched to try them.

Other Portland

Sure, this scientist is helping breweries in Portland, Maine but still! Neat job to read about.

Wine…In…spaaaaaaace

Because if its inherent properties as a carbonated beverage, you really can’t take beer into space.

But this is an area where my interest in potent potables and my interest in science definitely converge, so I dig on this article on the impact of aging wine in space!

Throw Money And Smart People At It

Once again, I am pleased, but maybe in the slightly awkward position of giving Big Beer Business credit.

But sometimes, you just throw money and smart people at problems and they come up with cool solutions.

Not Quite How Many Angels Can Dance On The Head of a Pin

But on the other hand, something that can actually be counted, too.

Underground

So, they found a beer cave in Missouri. I guess the notion of men hiding out in caves to drink beer and avoid life goes back farther than I’d thought.

Then again, if we’ve got scientists recreating medieval ale from the walls, maybe scientists can learn something from how beer was made in the 1800’s, too.