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Two Australians invent 'space beer'

Candlelight

Candlelight

Admiral
Admiral
http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/5027994/Space-beer-brewed-for-zero-gravity-thirst

Wherever man has ventured, beer has followed. Now, two Australian entrepreneurs hope that will include space.
Looking ahead to a future of growing space tourism, they have developed a full-bodied brew they believe can stand up to the trials of imbibing in space, including swelling tongues that diminish the sense of taste.
"It's going to be the first beer that will be specifically designed to be drunk in zero gravity with upcoming space tourism," said Jaron Mitchell, who owns the 4 Pines Brewing Company, a microbrewery.
Mitchell and Jason Held, at space engineering firm Saber Astronautics Australia, have developed the Vostok 4 Pines Stout, which they aim to take where no beer has gone before.
They believe they are ahead of the curve, noting that the Russians - known to enjoy the occasional tipple - are already taking rich tourists into space and British businessman Richard Branson is building the infrastructure for his own space tourism business, Virgin Galactic.
The two decided that a full-bodied, flavoursome, stout-style beer would work best to counter the loss of taste sensation that takes place when the tongue swells in space.
"Your face puffs out a little bit, your tongue swells up a little bit - it's not extreme, but kind of like having a bad head cold," Held said.
"So we wanted to have a flavour that would be strong enough, that would punch through that."
Once the prototype was developed, the two bought space on a zero gravity flight over Florida to test it, recruiting a microgravity expert from the non-profit organisation Astronauts4Hire as test subject.
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Oh great... spring break in space...
 
Ha, that's actually pretty neat. With Astronaut Ice Cream and now beer, well it certainly seems they've got it made... I'd probably name it Zero Gravity Stout. :D
 
Hmm. Apparently they've reduced the carbonation, but not removed it entirely, which would still make you prone to a nasty "wet burp".

Found this wonderful description elsewhere:
Zero-G has a rather nasty side effect of the "wet burp" phenomenon. Think about it, what happens when you swallow a mouthful of beer on Earth? It goes down your throat and sits in your stomach. Gravity ensures the fluid stays in your stomach, allowing the carbon dioxide bubbles to expand and rise to the top of the fluid. You can then sit back and let out an impressive burp to impress your friends as the carbon dioxide is vented out of your mouth.
Now try doing that in space.
There's little gravity to keep the fluid in your stomach, but you still need to vent that carbon dioxide that is expanding inside your belly. You try to burp.... but you end up venting the carbon dioxide, beer, and whatever else was inside your stomach through your mouth and nose. This, my friends, is called a "wet burp"; an explosive near-vomit experience guaranteed to gross out anyone who has the misfortune to be floating around with you.
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Jadzia said:
Owain Taggart said:
I'd probably name it Zero Gravity Stout. :D
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galactic grog
milky way malt
comet cognac
light speed lager
rover rum
OMS burner whiskey
sunspot cider
orbital ale
cosmic kirsch
black hole stout
big bang bourbon

:D
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We could go on for ages.... Hmmm, now I'm thirsty.

You know, it reminds me of that Simpsons episode where Homer gets selected to go into space and opens that bag of chips. I can only imagine the trouble he'd get into if he'd of been allowed to bring some Duff beer with him. :lol: Beware of the electronics!
 
I remember seeing a story about people here making beer for space in our news a few months ago, not sure if its the same people, but I assume so.
 
Wherever man has ventured, beer has followed.
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For some reason, I keep hearing Vic Perrin's voice reading that line.
Candlelight said:
Oh great... spring break in space...
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Get ready for Space Girls Gone Wild!

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i25uZMyjPYs[/yt]

There's little gravity to keep the fluid in your stomach, but you still need to vent that carbon dioxide that is expanding inside your belly. You try to burp.... but you end up venting the carbon dioxide, beer, and whatever else was inside your stomach through your mouth and nose. This, my friends, is called a "wet burp"; an explosive near-vomit experience guaranteed to gross out anyone who has the misfortune to be floating around with you.
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Eeeeeww. Sounds like sharting at the other end.
 
Having backpacked all over the world in the company of many Australians, it does not surprise me in the slightest when any technological advancements related to beer can be attributed to them. When it comes to the acquisition and consumption of beer, I have never met a more motivated lot. :lol:
 
It's not space beer unless it's made in space. The first microbrewery in microgravity, that's what I'm waiting for. :beer:
 
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