Alternative uses for beer
Bet you thought beer was just for drinking, think again:
It's likely that different varieties of beer affect these tips - feel free to update if you have any more information!
- Put beer in your chili - One of the best ways to add flavor and a little extra liquid to a chili is with a nice bottle of beer. Use the darker beers, they have more flavor and add more punch.
- Put some life back into flat hair with some flat beer
- Beer makes a great tenderizer for tough, inexpensive cuts of meat. Pour a can over the meat, and let it soak in for about an hour before cooking. Even better, marinate it overnight in the fridge or put the beer in your slow cooker with the meat
[edit] Use as setting lotion
Before you get into the shower, mix 3 tablespoons beer in 1/2 cup warm water. After you Shampoo your hair, rub in the solution, let it set for a couple of minutes, then rinse it off. You may be so pleased by what you see, you'll want to keep a six-pack in the bathroom.
[edit] Soften up tough meat
Who needs powdered meat tenderizer when you have some in a can?
[edit] Polish gold jewelry
Get the shine back in your solid gold (i.e., minus any gemstones) rings and other jewelry by pouring a bit of beer (not dark ale!) onto a soft cloth and rubbing it gently over the piece. Use a clean second cloth or towel to dry.
[edit] Clean wood furniture
Have you got some beer that's old or went flat? Use it to clean wooden furniture. Just wipe it on with a soft cloth, and then off with another dry cloth.
[edit] Make a trap for slugs and snails
Make a trap with beer for slugs and snails. Like some people, some garden pests find beer irresistible -- especially slugs and snails. If you're having problems with these slimy invaders, bury a container, such as a clean, empty juice container cut length-wise in half, in the area where you've seen the pests, pour in about half a can of warm, leftover beer, and leave it overnight. Simply pour a little into some empty jars and place them in the soil, with the rims of the jars at ground level. You're likely to find a horde of them, drunk and drowned, the next morning. The slugs will drop in for a drink, but they can’t get back out. And what a way to go; Certainly better than the salt-shriveling death.
also see Get rid of slugs with a slug beer trap
[edit] Remove coffee or tea stains from rugs
Getting that Coffee or Tea stain out your rug may seem impossible, but you can literally lift it out by pouring a bit of beer right on top. Rub the beer lightly into the material, and the stain should disappear. You may have to repeat the process a couple of times to remove all traces of the stain.
[edit] Add flavor to meat
Don't grill those bratworsts when you can get better flavor simply boiling them in a pot of beer. You can also stick a half emptied can of beer up a chicken's butt on a stand & pop that baby in the oven. (Do not remove can).
[edit] Cure your lawn of brown spots
Cure your lawn of brown spots by pooring on beer The acids in the beer would help kill off bugs and the other ingredients would help promote green growth. Does it work?
[edit] Ease a stomach ache
What? Surely not. Well, the carbonation in the beer can help ease your nasty tum rumbles. Of course, this is not a good one for children, or people with an ulcer or serious other stomach illness. Nor people who are desperate for an excuse.
[edit] Highlight your hair
Give your lovely locks that sun-kissed glow. Soak you hair in beer and then lay in the sun. It will pull out terrific highlight and make you smell deliciously hoppy! It's also a good conditioner (although homeless people have been known to refute this).
[edit] Attract bees
I really don’t like bees and wasps, especially at barbecues and get-togethers in the park or back yard. So, an hour before the event is due to kick off, place some small containers of beer around the perimeter of the yard. The sugar and smell will attract the bees and they’ll be happy enough around the beer while you enjoy your shindig bee-free.
[edit] Emergency Disinfectant
For minor cuts or wounds, blot the area with a cotton wool soaked in vodka to disinfect the said area. For skin affected by poison ivy, just pour the infected area with some vodka. You can also use vodka to disinfect and relieve the pain from jellyfish sting.
[edit] Keep Flowers Fresh
Just add a few drops of vodka together with a teaspoon of sugar into the water in your flower vase to keep your fresh flowers fresh for a longer time. However, don’t forget to change the water regularly, together with the fresh drops of vodka and Sugar.
[edit] Lower your Blood pressure
If you're feeling a bit hypertensive, put a handful of dried hops or hops pellets (available at any home-brew store) in a coffeemaker and brew them with hot water. It makes for a bitter Tea, but it supposedly brings your blood pressure back to normal by dilating the capillaries.
[edit] Just Drink It
Flat beer may not be satisfying, but if you take a peek inside your fridge, will you really see anything better? Just chill your flat beer inside the fridge. Turn your TV on the sports channel and grab some nachos or a bag of chips. Now, partner all those things with your cold flat beer. You’ll still have a good time.
Beer is a wonderful beverage, regardless if it is fresh or flat. It can remove Stress in more ways than one with its refreshing taste and its multitude of uses. For all the beer lovers out there, let’s toast to the benefits of such a drink. Cheers!
[edit] Nutritional Value of Beer
Beer is formed through the process of fermentation using brewer’s yeast in combination with water, starch source and flavoring. These natural ingredients contribute to all the nutrients that be found in beer. Based on the USDA National Nutrient Database, it contains Protein, Carbohydrates and Vitamins such as Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12. It also contains minerals such as Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc, Manganese, Fluoride and Selenium. It is good to know that beer does not contain any Fat and Cholesterol.
[edit] Health Benefits of Beer
Alcohol in general is known to reduce stress. When taken in moderation, several studies suggested that beer has health benefits, such as lowering the risk of stroke and heart disease. Drinking beer aids in increasing the body’s level of high-density lipoproteins (HDL), which helps in improving blood circulation. In a study published by the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture last February 2010, it was concluded that beer, being a rich source of Silicon could help increase the body’s bone density. Beer also contains ingredients that may cure insomnia such as hops being a natural sedative.
[edit] Psychological Benefits of Beer
In an article by Steve Rogerson[1], it is discussed that a study concluded the positive psychological outcomes with the moderate drinking of beer. It also said to promote social interaction particularly on controlled atmosphere, like bars.
[edit] Aesthetic Uses of Beer
An article published at the Australian Times featured pools with beer instead of water. It is said that the yeast in beer aids in cleaning of the skin and makes it look healthy. Having a half can of leftover beer can also be used as a setting lotion or to give extra body and shine to the hair. It only needs to be applied at the hair after bathing and pat-dried with towel without rinsing. The beery scent easily wears off.
[edit] Cooking with Beer
Beer can also be a great companion for cooking. It has a great tenderizing property because of its yeast enzymes. It could also be use for marinating meat for added flavor. The Food Network website features a recipe called Beer Can Chicken. The main step is done by placing a half-filled beer can inside a whole chicken’s cavity. As it is being cooked upright on indirect heat, the beer inside the can is described to produce steam, providing extra moisture to the chicken.
