Perfectly Practical #106 - Beer

We are a house divided.

Engineer will tell you that beer is practically perfect rather than perfectly practical and I will say the reverse. 

Here's how you could use it, although Engineer insists that it should be used as God intended.  :)


Slug Trap - I told you about our enormous slugs while living n England right?  I couldn't have nice frilly pansies and snapdragons because no sooner would we have the plants int the ground would the dern mollusks eat the plants up.  I tried everything from starting an activist group Gardeners Against Gastropods, or G.A.G. but it didn't take off, to salt (not good for the garden) to copper fencing (too expensive) to an upside down citrus rind, but the best solution was beer poured into a jar lid.  Those little blighters love beer and would drink enough of it where they would get drunk and drown.  I know, it sounds like a cautionary tale, but it is totally true and effective.  It did pain Engineer though to see his ale being poured out for garden preservation.

Hair Conditioner - My best friend from high school's ex-boyfriend's mom swore by the beer method of hair conditioning.  (How's that for a tenuous link?)  There are commercial beer conditioners on the market.  Here is a little article telling you why beer is a good conditioner.

Bread Leavener - Even I have made beer bread and I have no bread making skills whatsoever.  The yeast in the beer will activate and cause the bread to rise.  For me, I use dry yeast so infrequently that it isn't worth keeping in my pantry staples but we always have beer in the house.  Here is a recipe for beer bread.

Fondue - When I think of a pairing for cheese my mind automatically goes to wine, but beer has been a cheesy favorite the world over.  While in Switzerland, we had the traditional meal of bread and fondue made with cheese and beer.  I have heard of Beer and Cheese Soup (I think it's a Northern thing) and figure it must be similar.

Flavor Enhancer - Again with the culinary application but since I don't drink it >blech< and it is in my fridge, I might as well use it somehow.  I use beer in my chili pretty regularly.  It gives it a little depth of flavor.

Oh yes, and you could just drink it if you are so inclined.

Any other uses for beer in or out of the kitchen that you employ in your household?

This is part of Works for Me Wednesday.