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Garden

I've got about 1/2 keg of Jeremiah Red from BJ's. Think it would be good for the compost bin? It's either that or the gutter (gone skunky)

2/11/2005 7:33:10 PM

Ottawa, Ohio

Yep, That's what Jerry Baker says.

2/11/2005 8:28:15 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

throw some old soda and whatever with it!

2/11/2005 8:35:55 PM

Montoursville, PA

and two asprins for the hangover.

2/11/2005 8:56:56 PM

Brillion Wisconsin

I read somewhere that beer was good for composting, it had something to due with the microbes or yeast or something.

If I were you I would freeze some and try using it later in the season as a rich base for compost tea...or I might just serve that skunky beer to company when they stop by univited.

2/11/2005 10:12:50 PM

Chico, Ca

Beer contains hops. Hops have a natural antibacterial property to them. This is one of the reasons it made its way into Beer before the industry mastered sanitary brewing practices.It provided a measure of protection against spoilage. These days it is just for flavor. I can say that raw hops by themself in a pile will not turn into compost(tried it). it will just make a thick mat and just lay there like pine needles.It makes crappy mulch (tried it) Some of its compounds are use for medicines. The other reason is for bitterness, it balances the malty sweetness. Before hops they used various spices like coriander. Hops are also a mild sedative.For hundreds of years in Europe they would drink sweetend hop teas to help with insomnea. They would also put hop cones inside pillow cases so the aroma would have a calming effect.This is one of the reasons that if you drink beers with high hop levels you get sleepy. Hops are related to mulberry trees on one side of the family and marijuana on the other. Personally I could not tell you if you would be killing off any beneficial organisms in your compost pile but it is something to think about....

Oh, it also is rather acidic,has sticky resins that smell like a smelly cheese or stinky feet once it gets light struck or oxidizes. The hop cones must compacted into bales or pelletized to prevent the oxidizing. They also need to be refridgerated after they are kiln dried to keep this from happening.

I should know, I brew around 3 million gallons of beer a year using numerous tons of hops for a regional Brewery!

2/12/2005 2:28:14 AM

Deer Park WA

Dump it on the patch/compost pile,stir not shaken! should give the microbes a boost.

2/12/2005 2:52:13 AM

Ontario, Canada.

I have been using beer on my front lawn for over 15 years. It came from a Jerry Baker show. I believe the sugars in it help to brake down the thatch layer

2/12/2005 8:00:09 AM

Waquoit Mass

invite our crew over we will recycle that beer for you before it goes on the lawn

2/12/2005 8:39:28 AM

Grandfield Oklahoma

put it in a bowl and let the snails have it - it will kill the snails

2/12/2005 12:01:57 PM

Hayes, Virginia

lol Doc.
Please send all beer this way.

2/12/2005 3:30:19 PM

Garden

The beer has gone bad, but if any of you want it, have at it. I bet skunky good beer is better than some new budget beer. It was left over from 2/5 (my birthday) and has not been refrigerated since.
Thanks for the replies. I think I'll see what it does to the compost. Probably end up with a pumpkin that wont stand on its own.

2/14/2005 1:09:47 PM

Itzetown City

Drunken Pumpkins on the scale..... LOL

2/14/2005 1:42:16 PM