Trapped at Berkeley

I’ve discovered a practical use for my Berkeley chemistry education: I’m going to brew beer.

The idea started with rumors about my Chem 4B GSI Alex’s brewing abilities. I had heard from other students and other GSIs that Alex was a master beer maker. Although I don’t like beer, I was interested in the subject of zymurgy, the branch of chemistry concerned with fermentation. All I knew about the subject was that it involved water, yeast, and something called ‘hops’. Needless to say, I knew practically nothing.

Since I had finished my special project early on Friday, I decided to ask Alex about brewing. He briefly explained the process and described the types of beer he had produced. I was surprised to learn that brewing beer was a relatively simple and low-cost process. I was also surprised to learn that a person could purchase the ingredients necessary for brewing at age 18, even though the legal drinking age is 21.

After talking with Alex, I was anxious to try my hand at brewing. I thought it’d be an interesting chemistry experiment, of sorts. I also wanted to try to produce a decent tasting brewed beverage. Alex had said that there was a store in Berkeley that sold the equipment and ingredients I’d need. All I had to do was find detailed instructions on the process, and I’d be ready to go.

This morning, I discovered some Internet resources on how to brew beer. I learned that the same process and equipment could also be used to make soda, cider, wine, and liquor (with a distillation still). As a result, I wouldn’t be limited to just alcoholic beverages; I could make my own soda.

So, that’s how I became interested in brewing. I plan on starting this summer.