Old beer for batter? Science question...
I made fish and chips the other night and halved the recipe. So I'm left with a half bottle of beer. I re-capped it but realize it'll probably still go flat. So, can I use this old beer for a future batter or other cooking/baking use? Is it the fizz or is it the yeast and barley that makes beer "work"? I guess I could use it for part of a braising liquid, but I'm curious to know anyone else's experience w/ this. Any wannabe Odd Todd's or Alton Brown's out there? Thanks. adam
adamshoe
Apr 23, 2009 04:42PM
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I just had to reply b/c my husband's name is Adam, and he used to homebrew!
Anyway, I would say the carbonation definitely plays a major role in a batter - many batters use seltzer like for onion rings and fried clams. Just use it to deglaze your next stir-fry/pan fried meat, like leftover wine. Otherwise toss it, it can't be worth more than 25 cents at this point, right? Or, you can always use it to water your plants! Mine thrive on leftover coffee, but that might just be b/c the caffeine!! But I don't think there's enough alcohol left to hurt them!! Good luck!
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Phurstluv: Hmm...If I give my plants leftover coffee and beer, all I have to add is a few cigarette butts and they're eating the same diet as I am ;) Thanks for the info re: carbonation, but I distinctly remember a batter I made a few yrs. ago that specified FLAT beer (you had to keep stirring it w/ a fork in a shallow dish and it took FOREVER to go flat...). Also, some peeps swear by seltzer in their Matzoh Balls, but I've tried it and found that there's no discernible difference from tap water. adam
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Well, you may be right. I'm no Alton Brown, thank goodness! But lots of recipes swear by it, and others don't seem to think it matters.
Again, you have to weigh the convenience of storing the flat 1/2 bottle of beer, and throwing it out b/c you need the room in the fridge. I still think the plants might just benefit!!
Also, if that is close to your diet, you are soooo like my husband with those good genes and I'm envious!!! He eats jerky, chips and beer for dinner most nights (gets home late, not my cookin'!) and his blood pressure and cholesterol are low! It's just not fair! And I'm not even getting into the cigar he has every night! Some people have all the luck - hey, he married me after all ;)
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If you make your own bread substituting some beer for water can add to the complexity of the flavor.
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Some recipes do call for flat beer. I use fresh always for fried, but some breads do call for flat. But 1/2 beer left would get be well gone before the bread or fried food was ever gone. German, beer drinker so ... no ... beer wouldn't be left in my house.
However, flat beer can be used. I wouldn't use it for frying but some recipes do well. Just how I have used it.
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Making chili or taco meat anytime soon? Add in the beer instead of water.
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