Beer in Space
What are space hops? and much more...
What role does beer play in space? Can you drink it? What is the future of beer in space?
Why can't astronauts drink beer in space? 🪐
Let's start by understanding why astronauts can't drink beer - specifically when they are in zero gravity. In fact, it must be said that drinking beer on the Moon or Mars is not scientifically impossible since gravity is only slightly lower than that of the Earth. Carbonation is an essential element of a good beer and there is nothing more satisfying than sipping a pint with perfect foam. On Earth, this is only possible because gravity remains stable, so since the carbon dioxide gas, which forms the beautiful bubbles, is lighter than the surrounding liquid, it floats upwards. In the zero-gravity conditions of space, there is no way to contain the effervescence.
Good to know for a future vacation on the Moon or on Mars right?
Enjoying an ice-cold beer is one of the pleasures of life. Especially after a day of work. It's hard to think of a more stressful job than that of an astronaut, especially those aboard the International Space Station (ISS). From working in zero-gravity conditions to handling an almost constant series of dangers due to the unpredictable nature of space, being an astronaut is tough.
Unfortunately, those who choose to brave the unknown have to wait until both of their feet touch dry land again to relax with a beer, as drinking this beverage in space is impossible. Scientifically impossible.
Carbonation is an essential element of a good beer and there is nothing more satisfying than sipping a pint with perfect foam. On Earth, this is only possible because gravity remains stable, so since the carbon dioxide gas, which forms the beautiful bubbles, is lighter than the surrounding liquid, it floats upwards. In the zero-gravity conditions of space, there is no way to contain the effervescence.
In space, beer will not only not be tasty, it will also not be digestible. Normally on earth, just as bubbles rise in a cup, they also rise in the stomach, producing gas. In fact, astronauts do not erupt in zero gravity; instead of coming out of the mouth, the gas in the astronauts' belly gets stuck and can be very annoying. If an astronaut drinks beer in space, carbonation escapes in the same way as acid reflux, producing "wet burps," along with some of the liquid. Yeah, it's not a good scene to imagine ...
Vostok: the Space Beer 🚀
Vostok (named after the first manned mission into space), is an Australian startup that has dedicated itself to making space beer. It has spent the last decade developing a cold beer that can be tapped and enjoyed in zero gravity. Thanks again once science.
The challenge facing the startup, a collaboration between 4 Pines Beer and Saber Astronautics, was twofold: human physiology (space alters our taste buds and our gastric reflux) and gravity, or lack thereof (no gravity, limited digestion).
To keep the effects on the human body under control, the start-up carried out various tests at the ZERO-G plant of the Zero Gravity Corporation in Virginia. It has been found that the best beer for this job is an Irish-style stout, with flavor notes of "coffee, chocolate and caramelized malts". Good news for lovers of this kind of beer. The researchers also attached importance to allowing astronauts to drink beer without a straw, believing that astronauts want a bottle that "reminds them of the Earth-like drinking experience." The companies have achieved this thanks to the passive feeding system of their bottle, which uses surface tension and moves the beer from the bottom of the bottle to the mouth.
What would be your dream beer in space?
Although there are many beer styles to choose from, some will have to wait to be shipped off earth. Entrepreneur Sam Adams, famous for collaborating on space travel with SpaceX, brewed "Space Craft," a West Coast-style IPA beer that debuted in 2021, was brewed with hops that have orbited the Earth.
Hops was flown on 'Inspiration4', the world's first entirely civilian mission, which launched in 2021 and traveled approximately 500km above the Earth for two days.
Sam Adams sent 30 kilos of Mosaic and Citra hops into space, which were then used to make space beer. The IPA with 6.2% alcohol content, has notes of grapefruit, guava and passion fruit. The Space Craft four-pack costs $22.33.
Samuel Adams isn't the first to brew beer using ingredients flown into space. In 2009, Japan's oldest brewery, Sapporo, used barley grown from seeds flown to the International Space Station to create a limited-edition beer, "Space Barley." Five years later, Oregon-based Ninkasi Brewing Company launched yeast aboard a commercial suborbital spaceflight to brew "Ground Control," an Imperial Stout.
Will we make beer on Mars?
If all goes according to the plans of the now well-known Elon Musk, the project to bring you man to Mars is no longer so far away. Budweiser decided to be the first company to produce beer for the new "Martians". Precisely for this reason he began his experiments by sending barley to the US National Laboratory on the International Space Station, to be tested by astronauts. All this to refine spatial cultivation techniques and study the behavior of plants and their reaction to the different force of gravity during germination.
Once the results have been analyzed, the company will evaluate whether it will be possible and under what circumstances to produce beer in environments of different gravity, as they themselves have announced, on Mars. If until recently it seemed like science fiction, today we can see that the race to see who will be the first producer of Martian beer has already begun!