To take care of the planet, we can reduce or even eliminate our consumption of meat, avocados, mangoes, chia seeds… But what happens if they deprive us of beer? Can we take it? Firstly, it should be clear that this is a joke, that no one is going to take away our beer and that we do not promote any kind of alcohol consumption. Although it is very good. At the same time, it is true that carbon footprint participation in the production of beer is very worrying, but above all for its storage and transportation. For this reason, in Germany they invented powder beer which could significantly solve this problem.
If beer has such a large carbon footprint, it’s because it’s usually stored in very heavy cans, barrels or bottles, the transport of which involves a large consumption of fossil fuels and, as a result, the release of large amounts of carbon dioxide. In fact, it is assumed that 70% emissions Produced by each liter of beer are associated with packaging and transportation.
But let’s now imagine that beer is transported in much lighter packages. 90% of beer is water. If this water is added only at the time of consumption, we would significantly minimize the space it takes up, as well as the transportation problem. This is exactly what you get with powdered beer. It is true that it may not be well received in places where the consumption of this drink is deeply rooted. But surely in less traditional places it is welcomed with pleasure. If only part of the population did this, we would already have significantly reduced the carbon dioxide emissions generated by drinking this drink. This is certainly a good start.
Less heavy transport
Freeze drying of liquids to improve their transportation is something that has been done for a long time. A good example of this is astronaut food. Logically, they have to eat in their space chambers, but the weight that is loaded into the ship must be carefully calculated, minimizing it as much as possible. Therefore, this type of food is outwardly unappetizing, but very healthy.
It is prepared not only from food. For example, lyophilized vaccines are a wonderful invention because they such low temperatures are not needed for transportation or storage. This facilitates their use in places with insufficient sanitary infrastructure. After the vaccine is about to be used, it is enough to hydrate the vaccine so that all its effects remain intact.
And now it turns out that there is powder beer. Perhaps the day will come when someone will take up the invention of instant coffee. Today we have it back to normal. Who knows if the same will happen with beer?
It’s powder beer.
Powder beer is made from the usual ingredients of this drink: water, barley and hops. What happens is that the water is removed, causing it to turn into a powder that becomes the final product. Thus, it is transported and sold, since the consumer will finish the beer.
It’s very simple. 50 grams of powdered beer is taken, half a liter of water is added, shaken and, voila. The beer would be ready. There is foam, although in a smaller amount, and a completely normal taste and appearance. But there is a small but. And the fact is that at the moment they have not been able to create a powdered beer with alcohol.
Alcohol cannot be added a posteriori, as well as water, therefore, enzymes should be introduced into the initial mixture and the preservation of alcohol during lyophilization should be ensured. At the moment, this is a difficult task, but the German company Neuzelle, which produced it, is already working on a solution. They themselves admit that, with or without alcohol, powdered beer will not be favored in their country. But surely in other parts of the world it seems good to them. All in order to have a lot of end product more stable.
Source: Hiper Textual
