Beer And Salvation: Can Christians Drink Responsibly?

Drinking alcohol is not a sin for Christians, and Jesus himself drank wine. However, drunkenness is considered a sin. The Bible never gives detailed instructions about drinking, but it does give principles that Christians should consider. While some Christians advocate for the total abstinence of alcohol, the Bible never requires all believers to abstain. Instead, it condemns drunkenness and being enslaved to wine. The Bible also depicts drinking in moderation as a blessing, and alcohol can be used for medicinal purposes.

Beer can be saved for a few days if stored properly

The moment you open a beer, some CO2 will immediately escape, and the longer it's open, the sooner it will go flat. To avoid this, you can reseal the bottle with an airtight cap or stopper to reduce oxidization and prevent carbonation loss. For growlers and regular 12-ounce bottles, use a rubber, pressurised stopper. For cans of beer of any size, try using tin foil or plastic wrap with a rubber band or two for an extra seal.

If you have an airtight container, you can transfer your beer to it before putting it in the fridge without sacrificing any flavours, aromas, or carbonation. If the original container of the beer is large and you only have a small amount left, it's a good idea to move it to a smaller bottle so that there is less space that needs to be made airtight.

Beer is an organic substance, meaning it contains chemical compounds from living things, namely yeast. Improper storage allows the following factors to affect the beer and lead to spoilage:

• Exposure to sunlight: UV rays can make the beer lose its flavour.
• Exposure to oxygen: Overexposure to oxygen leads to a breakdown of the beer's chemicals, which can significantly alter the taste.
• Presence of bacteria: It can be hard for bacteria to survive in beer due to its high alcohol content, but if bacteria do make their way into the beer, they will eat away at it.

Flat beer can be used for cooking

Flat beer can be used in cooking, and there are many recipes that call for beer as an ingredient. It is important to note that if a beer has gone flat, it will not be enjoyable to drink, as the majority of its characteristic aromas and flavours will have disappeared. However, flat beer can still be used in cooking, as the flatness of the beer becomes analogous to adding still wine.

Flat beer can be used as a substitute for water in recipes. For example, it can be used in batters for frying shrimp, chicken, or anything else that is battered. It can also be used in bread recipes, such as malty bread, or in pancakes and waffles, where the slight bitterness of the beer can be a nice counterpoint to the sweet syrup.

Flat beer can also be used in marinades and brines to tenderise and add flavour to meat. It can be added to pot roast and other slow-cooked meats like short ribs, pork butt, and chicken. It can also be used to steam brats and franks, or to braise meat, keeping it moist inside and out.

Additionally, flat beer can be used to make sauces, such as a deep, stouty sauce for pan-seared steak, or a honey beer sauce for chicken breasts. It can also be used in soups, such as a cheese soup, which was a popular breakfast dish in medieval Europe.

Beer can be used to tenderise meat

Nevertheless, beer is often used as a marinade, and there are several steps you can take to achieve more tender meat. Firstly, choose a beer with a "middle-of-the-road" flavour profile, such as an amber ale, nut brown, or extra special bitter. Beers that are very light or very intense will not add much flavour or may even add an unpleasant taste to your dish.

Next, construct your meat marinade. You can marinate the meat in beer alone, but adding herbs, spices, and other flavourings will boost the flavour of your meat. For an Asian-style marinade, you could add soy sauce and ginger, or for an Italian-style dish, you could add fresh or dried rosemary, thyme, basil, or oregano.

Place the meat and marinade in a plastic bag, adding salt and black pepper, then zip the bag closed, pushing out as much air as possible. Swish the bag around to ensure the marinade is contacting the meat's entire surface area. Allow the meat to marinate for at least an hour, but preferably no longer than overnight, as very long marinade times can turn the meat an unappealing grey colour.

Finally, cook the meat as desired. If you are braising or stewing, you can add the entire contents of the bag to the cooking liquid. If you are sautéing or frying, pat the meat dry first to avoid messy splatters.

Beer can be used to fertilise your garden

Beer as a Spot Fertiliser

Collect the dregs of your leftover beer in a plastic gallon jug. Once you have enough, pour the beer into a spray bottle and spray it on patches of your lawn that have turned brown or are not growing well. The beer will act as a fertiliser and help the affected grass grow back healthier and stronger.

Beer as a Whole Lawn Fertiliser

If your whole lawn is looking a bit weak, thin, and brown, you can use beer as a fertiliser for your entire lawn. However, beer can attract slugs and snails, so it is recommended to dilute your beer with water before applying it to your lawn. You can use a garden sprayer, a bucket, or a hose attachment to spread the mixture. Using beer as a fertiliser will help build up your garden soil.

Beer Composting

You can also add beer to your compost. The yeast and nitrogen found in the ammonia make a great starter to help speed up the composting process.

Slug Traps

Slug traps are considered the most effective use of beer in your garden. Simply bury a container, such as a cottage cheese container or pie pan, level with the soil, and fill it with beer. Slugs are attracted to the beer and the fermenting yeast. The trap lures and traps them, deterring them from your plants. Remember to check the traps frequently, possibly daily.

While beer can be used as a fertiliser, it is not the best option for irrigation. Water is still the best and least expensive option for watering your plants.

Flat beer can be used to add shine to your hair

Beer is a popular drink, but did you know it can also be used to add shine to your hair? While there is no scientific evidence to support this claim, many people swear by it, including celebrities and stylists. So, if you're looking for a way to boost your mane's volume and shine, grab some flat beer and follow these steps!

Firstly, it is important to note that you should use flat beer for hair treatments. Fresh beer will still be carbonated, and the carbon dioxide can combine with water to create hard water, which can make it harder to wash your hair effectively. To flatten your beer, simply leave it out uncovered for a few hours or overnight. The more air surface the beer is exposed to, the faster it will go flat.

Now that you have your flat beer, here is a simple routine you can follow:

• Shampoo your hair as normal, but skip the conditioner. The beer will act as a conditioner.
• Pour the flat beer onto your hair, making sure to cover your roots and scalp.
• Massage the beer into your scalp for about a minute.
• Leave the beer in your hair for a few minutes. You don't want to rinse it out completely, as this will reduce the conditioning effect.
• Rinse your hair with cold water. This will help seal the hair cuticle, leading to smoother and glossier hair.
• Towel dry your hair.

It's important to note that you should only do this treatment a few times a week, as the alcohol in the beer can be drying for your hair if used too frequently.

You can also enhance your beer hair treatment by adding a few drops of essential oils, such as lemon oil, almond oil, chamomile oil, jojoba oil, lavender oil, or sandalwood oil. These oils will not only add extra nourishment to your hair but will also provide a calming aroma.

So, there you have it! A simple and inexpensive way to add shine and volume to your hair using flat beer. Give it a try and see the results for yourself!

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