Where To Buy Samuel Adams' Helium Beer?

On April 1, 2014, the Boston Beer Company's Samuel Adams brand released a video announcing the launch of HeliYum, a beer infused with helium. The video was an April Fool's prank, and Samuel Adams later revealed that the beer did not exist. However, this has not stopped interest in the product, with people still curious about trying this unique brew. Despite the scientific challenges of creating a helium-infused beer, some have speculated that it may be possible, though it is unlikely to be commercially available anytime soon.

Sam Adams' helium beer an April Fool's joke

On April 1, 2014, the Boston Beer Company's Samuel Adams brand released a video announcing the release of HeliYUM, a helium-infused beer. The video explained that, unlike heavier gases like CO2, helium would create a light mouthfeel and brilliant clarity while preserving the natural aroma of the ingredients and extending the product's shelf life.

However, this was an April Fool's joke, as Samuel Adams later revealed that the beer didn't exist. This didn't stop the Die BierProbierer podcasters, Alex and Ralf, from reviving the prank the following year by claiming they had obtained a bottle of the fictional beer. They too eventually confirmed their video was a joke, but not before other versions were posted without the humorous disclaimer, causing confusion among viewers.

Other companies, such as the Berkshire Brewing Company and the Stone Brewing Company, also jumped on the trend and released their own versions of helium beer promotions in conjunction with April Fool's Day.

While the idea of a helium-infused beer may be amusing, it is unlikely to become a reality due to the low solubility of helium in water.

Helium beer's journey from a viral video to an actual drink

The story of helium beer began as an April Fool's prank by the Boston Beer Company's Samuel Adams PR team in 2014. The team posted a video announcing the release of HeliYum, a beer that uses helium instead of carbon dioxide or nitrogen, completely changing the mouthfeel. This sparked a trend, with other breweries like Stone Brewing, Berkshire Brewing Company, and internet pranksters Alex & Ralf of the Die BierProbierer podcast joining in on the joke. These satirical ads and reviews fuelled speculation and curiosity among craft beer enthusiasts, who flooded social media platforms and craft beer websites with inquiries about this unique brew.

The helium beer hype died down but made a comeback the following year with new copycat videos. Despite articles debunking the idea of helium-infused beer as scientifically impossible, the public's fascination persisted. However, in an interesting turn of events, a team of scientists from Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN) demonstrated that helium beer might not be as far-fetched as once thought. They discovered that, while helium is not soluble in water, it can piggyback on the carbon dioxide naturally present in beer, resulting in larger and faster-rising bubbles.

This scientific breakthrough led to the creation of a milk stout with a smooth mouthfeel and a creamy, stable head that persisted until the last sip. Although tasters noted that the brew was a little flat, it resembled a Guinness or traditionally made cask ale. Importantly, the C&EN team confirmed that the pitch of voices and belches remained unaffected by the helium, dispelling the myth that helium beer would make your voice higher-pitched.

While the journey of helium beer from a viral video to an actual drinkable brew faced scientific challenges and scepticism, it showcased the innovative spirit and playful side of the craft beer industry. It also highlighted the power of social media and viral content in shaping consumer demand and trends, even for products that don't exist!

Today, helium beer remains a unique concept that captured the imagination of beer enthusiasts worldwide, even if it's unlikely to show up at your local bottle shop anytime soon.

Helium beer's scientific possibility

The scientific possibility of helium beer has been the subject of much debate and speculation, with numerous prank videos and viral marketing campaigns adding to the confusion. While it may seem like a far-fetched idea, there is some scientific basis to the concept of helium-infused beer.

The solubility of gases in liquids is a key factor in understanding the potential creation of helium beer. Helium is not soluble in water, and therefore, it cannot be dissolved in beer in the same way that carbon dioxide or nitrogen is used to carbonate and add bubbles to beer. This was one of the key arguments against the possibility of helium beer.

However, the team at Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN) proposed an alternative method for creating helium beer. They suggested that instead of force carbonating the beer with carbon dioxide, they would use a helium tank to force "heliumination". Working with Stanford University's Richard Zare, the team discovered that although helium did not dissolve in the beer, it could piggyback on the carbon dioxide naturally present in the beer. This results in larger and faster-rising bubbles, creating a smooth mouthfeel and a creamy, stable head.

The C&EN experiment demonstrated that it is scientifically possible to create a beer infused with helium. However, it is important to note that this beer would likely have a flatter taste compared to traditionally carbonated beers. Additionally, the pitch of voices and belches after consuming the beer would remain unaffected, contrary to the popular belief that it would result in high-pitched voices.

While the scientific possibility of helium beer has been established, it is unlikely to become a widely available product. The unique properties of helium, such as its low solubility in water and extremely low freezing point, present significant challenges for brewers. As a result, helium beer remains a curious scientific experiment rather than a viable commercial product.

Helium beer promotions by other companies

The helium beer craze, sparked by Samuel Adams' April Fool's prank in 2014, inspired several other companies to join in on the fun and create their own unique promotions. Here are some examples of how other companies jumped on the bandwagon:

Stone Brewing Co.

On April 1, 2014, Stone Brewing released a satirical ad for their "Stochasticity Project Cr(He)am Ale with Helium." The video, though intended as a joke, added to the speculation and confusion surrounding the existence of helium beer. The ad went viral, and Stone Brewing's name became associated with the helium beer trend.

Berkshire Brewing Company

The following year, in 2015, Berkshire Brewing Company joined the prank by producing their own ad for a Helium IPA, further fueling the public's curiosity.

Die BierProbierer

Alex & Ralf of the Die BierProbierer podcast released a German-language "review" of the fictional Sam Adams Helium beer. Their video added to the hoax, and it gained significant attention on YouTube.

Dogfish Head Brewing

While not directly related to the helium beer promotions, Dogfish Head Brewing has also pushed the boundaries of craft beer with their "Celest-jewel-ale," which is infused with genuine lunar meteorite dust. This innovative brew showcases the creativity and experimentation within the craft beer industry.

Tom Seefurth's Mamma Mia Pizza Beer

Independent brewer Tom Seefurth created a unique Mamma Mia Pizza Beer, which is exactly what it sounds like—a beer that captures the essence of pizza. This unusual creation further highlights the diverse and unconventional offerings in the world of craft beer.

The public's interest in helium beer

The concept of helium-infused beer is not new, however. It can be traced back to the 1960s with the publishing of a short story, "The Drunkard's Walk," in the science fiction magazine, "Astounding Science Fiction." In the story, author Fredrik Pohl describes a fictional beer infused with helium, causing the drinker to float away. This idea resurfaced in the 1990s when a group of pranksters orchestrated a viral hoax, advertising a helium-infused beer called "Balloon's Breath Ale." Despite the absurdity, many people were convinced, and the concept gained widespread attention.

The 2014 prank videos from Samuel Adams and Stone Brewing tapped into this existing fascination with the idea of helium beer. The videos sparked a wave of public excitement, with people eager to try this seemingly whimsical and voice-altering beverage. The breweries' satirical ads were so convincing that they led to a flurry of inquiries from curious customers, with craft beer websites receiving numerous emails from interested individuals. The hype even caught the attention of the urban legend website Snopes, which investigated the claims and concluded that helium beer was indeed a hoax.

Despite the scientific impossibilities and health risks associated with consuming helium, the public's interest in helium beer remains high. The combination of a light mouthfeel and the potential for a high-pitched voice change creates a unique appeal that has captured the imagination of beer enthusiasts and curious individuals worldwide. While helium beer may not be commercially viable due to the challenges and risks involved, it continues to be a topic of fascination, with people intrigued by the idea of a beer that challenges the laws of science and provides a whimsical drinking experience.

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