How many unique recipes are possible?

ShootsNRoots · Sep 23, 2013

# of Possible Recipes = (# of malts)! * (# of hops)! * (# of yeast strains)! * (# of water adjustments possible)!

How many unique, drinkable combinations of different types of malts, hops, yeast and water are there?

(Yes, I know the math isn't correct, I just made it up to illustrate the insanity.)

Poobah58 · Sep 23, 2013

LabRatBrewer · Sep 23, 2013

To quote an owl...."Lets see...One, Ta-hooo, Threeee <drink> Three."

Komocabo · Sep 23, 2013

"One Hundred Billion"
- Dr. Evil

thatjonguy · Sep 23, 2013

Good luck with the math.

Different proportions of malts and hops will have different outcomes with different yeast strains in different water profiles.

Add in all spices, sugars, fruits and other adjuncts on top of huge number of techniques, mashing processes, fermentation temperatures and aging options.

You have literally an infinite number of recipes.

eltorrente · Sep 23, 2013

Billions and billions (in a Carl Sagan voice).

kh54s10 · Sep 23, 2013

eltorrente said:
Billions and billions (in a Carl Sagan voice).

Beat me to it! :rockin:

signpost · Sep 23, 2013

Don't forget different fermentation temperatures and all of the various shifts thereof.

And there's also all of the varying degrees of sanitation and possible off flavors.

Phunhog · Sep 24, 2013

Plus you could always mix yeast strains in different ratios. So yes........billions and billions.

MedicMang · Sep 24, 2013

Fart noise.

mattd2 · Sep 24, 2013

Why is this not in drunken mumblings?

eltorrente · Sep 24, 2013

mattd2 said:
Why is this not in drunken mumblings?

Because it's critical research.

tally350z · Sep 24, 2013

4,302,846,142,179.42...+ - 150.

dgr · Sep 24, 2013

Ummm, 42 or ...

chocotaco · Sep 24, 2013

thatjonguy said:
You have literally an infinite number of recipes.

Nope, not literally infinite. But it might as well be.

Let's just say mankind in all its finite existence will never brew all possible beer recipes. Especially with new hops being developed every few years.

How many unique recipes are possible?

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