How Stuff Works - Discovery Channel programs beer making episode Dec 18

[Ridge Runner]

I found it surprising that Bud uses hops. I was under the impression that they use hop extract oil.

Miller uses hop oil. That's how they get away with clear bottles.

 

[heinz57]

My favorite part was definitely the Pilsner Urquell sequences. The scene where the brewmaster walks into the brewery tunnels with a candle and mug, then fills it at the top of the old wooden fermenter was awesome.

 

[jgln]

It was ok, didn't expect it to be too detailed for the general puplic. Did I see them compare a glass of beer to a shot of alcohol? I can drink me some beers but do 8 shots of any alcohol and I wouldn't make it up the stairs to bed and if I did I wouldn't come down until 2pm the next afternoon. I'd head toward the stairs and not be able to stop and go right out the window. Is that true? My guess is only if you compare a strong beer to a weak shot.

 

[Cpt_Kirks]

I found it surprising that Bud uses hops. I was under the impression that they use hop extract oil.

I can recall, MANY years ago, touring the brewery in St. Louis.

One thing that sticks in my mind is the huge room full of mountains of green hops. The smell was so strong, it made me sick to my stomach.

I wonder how it would affect me now?

 

[remilard]

Miller uses hop oil. That's how they get away with clear bottles.

A hop oil with isomerized alpha acids wouldn't work so they use a beta acid only extract. Using aged whole hops would probably work as well, since they alpha acids dissipate and the beta acids remain.

 

[remilard]

I found it surprising that Bud uses hops. I was under the impression that they use hop extract oil.

According to BLAM one of the trappistes (I think Chimay) uses extract in jelly form.

I want some hop jelly for my toast.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

It was ok, didn't expect it to be too detailed for the general puplic. Did I see them compare a glass of beer to a shot of alcohol? I can drink me some beers but do 8 shots of any alcohol and I wouldn't make it up the stairs to bed and if I did I wouldn't come down until 2pm the next afternoon. I'd head toward the stairs and not be able to stop and go right out the window. Is that true? My guess is only if you compare a strong beer to a weak shot.

They were simply illustrating that the Ethyl alcohol content of a 12 ounce 5%, IIRC, beer is equal to that of a .5 Ounce shot of distilled spirits.

Then went further to illustrate that the stomach absorbs 20% where the intestines absorb the other 80%.

 

[-TH-]

It was ok, didn't expect it to be too detailed for the general puplic. Did I see them compare a glass of beer to a shot of alcohol? I can drink me some beers but do 8 shots of any alcohol and I wouldn't make it up the stairs to bed and if I did I wouldn't come down until 2pm the next afternoon. I'd head toward the stairs and not be able to stop and go right out the window. Is that true? My guess is only if you compare a strong beer to a weak shot.

I noticed that too. That one guy said an average beer was 13 percent alcohol which was equivalent to that shot of "pure alcohol". I called BS on him (SWMBO heard it).

 

[Hefeweizengeliebter]

Yeah, if you noticed, there were several "American Ale" commercials.

Has anybody figured out the Theobroma recipe yet?

Looks like:

Corn
Aztec Cocoa Beans
Cocoa Powder
Big Chili Peppers

Though, the bearded professor was talking about "smelling the barley"...

+1.... that would be something I would like to try and make a batch of

 

[devaspawn]

I have two words for you:

Jersey Girl

'nuff said.



Sorry, putting us back on topic, I think I have the quote for the show:

"If we can catch up to it, run it over, and scrape it off the pavement we'll throw it in the kettle." - Sam Caligioni

Game. Set. Match! Victory to Mike.

 

[MikeRLynch]

Woot!

10 characters

 

[DD2000GT]

I noticed that too. That one guy said an average beer was 13 percent alcohol which was equivalent to that shot of "pure alcohol". I called BS on him (SWMBO heard it).

Yeah I caught that one. I was thinking to myself "There sure aren't many 13 percent alcohol beers out there". They said right at the first of the program that most beers are between 3 - 5 percent alcohol. In that example, I would have thought a 3 to 1 ratio between a 12 oz. beer (or two 16 oz pints like they showed) and a shot of grain alcohol would have been a better comparison.

 

[dontman]

I actually did not catch them saying "13%" so I didn't bristle at the comparison. But the reality is that a standard 12 oz 5% beer is roughly equivalent to 1/2 oz of 180 proof alcohol which is equivalent to 1 oz 90 proof - or your average off - the - shelf distilled spirits.

The whole point of the comparison is that drink for drink beer roughly equals wine roughly equals rum and coke, etc. This comparison generally falls apart because mixed drinks almost certainly have at least 1 1/2 oz of booze and not just 1 oz and probably more. I know when I tended bar you had to be a real schmuck for me to pour you less than 2 - 2 1/2 oz in your drink.

 

[Kilgore_Trout]

I know when I tended bar you had to be a real schmuck for me to pour you less than 2 - 2 1/2 oz in your drink.

To you then.

It *really* depends on where you go, I've seen bartenders serve a shot that's been watered down.... some people suck.

 

[pzack]

any idea where those of us who missed the show can see it? I tried Discovery Channel's website but it wasn't there.

 

[mmb]

They have Jan 02, 6:00 pm as a repeat for "HowStuffWorks: Beer"

Setting Tivo now...

 

[bottleopener]

i was about to go to sleep when i caught a pre-commercial snippet. they showed a fridge with a MALTOSE EXPRESS sticker, so i stuck around for that bit.

i remember towards the end of summer they were talking about moving the store down the street? does anyone know if this ever ended up happening? i just got back from school and i'm all out of ingredients :\

 

[Duckfoot]

I'd love to try Theobroma.

It is pretty good... Had some when we were at the pub in Maryland and I found a bottle when I got home... It is sitting in my fridge as we speak....:rockin:

 

[fratermus]

The narrator is irritating. I'm listening on head phones and he punctuates 80% of all phrases that end with a consonsant with an annoying grunty exhale sound. Like he's cranked the DJ voice control to 11.

Here is a transcription of one sentence in the hops section:

Combined - huhh
these give hops their bitter flavor - huhh
when tossed into a steaming brewkettle and boiled - huhh.

 

[Yuri_Rage]

The narrator is irritating. I'm listening on head phones and he punctuates 80% of all phrases that end with a consonant with an annoying grunty exhale sound. Like he's cranked the DJ voice control to 11.

That is my only negative critique of the show. I HATED that guy's manner of speaking!

Sure, I got a grin out of the 12% alcohol quote by the scientist dude, but otherwise, the content was well organized and quite interesting. Glad I tuned in!

 

[histo320]

I was able to catch it while waiting to pitch my yeast. It was somewhat informative, but not anymore than HBT.

We should get the most experienced HBTers, take the video, and have them dub over the annoying voice, and give more specific information.

 

[craigd]

I personally liked hearing the Budvar guy talk about "drinkability." Nice to hear the term used to describe something that is actually "drinkable."

 

[dontman]

The narrator sounds like he belongs in the next Clerks movie. I hate when that happens.

I hate you for mentioning this I didn't realize that you meant he sounded like one of the two actual "Clerks." When I watched the show everytime I heard the narrator I kept waiting for Jay and Silent Bob show up. It was very distracting.

I totally agree. I love most KS work, especially Mallrats and Dogma, the narrator was my least favorite character in any of his movies anyway.