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Recommended Reading: The genetics of better beer
You Want Better Beer? Good. Here's a Better Barley Genome Adam Rogers, Wired The beer industry certainly isn't hurting for money these days, but a group of scientists are trying to figure out how to make the beverage even better. They're doing so by breaking down the genome of barley, a key ingredient in the brewing process that that turns starch into sugar for yeast to transform into alcohol during fermentation. Wired has the story of how the geneticists could be on the way to improving suds for all of us to enjoy.
Picobrew's next goal: A safe and affordable DIY distillery
Picobrew has a new, cheaper countertop beer brewing system. That you already knew. But the company is now dipping its toes into distilling. The Picostill is an add on for the Pico Model C that turns that weird custom designed keg into a countertop distillery. Specifically it's a reflux still that uses vacuum distillation, which doesn't look as cool as a pot or column still, but makes far more efficient use of the space.
PicoBrew tries to make countertop beer brewing affordable
Brewing your own beer is surprisingly easy and cheap. But, it can seem intimidating. Plus, some of the equipment takes up a lot of space if you really start to embrace the hobby. Companies like Picobrew have been trying to simplify the process to make it more appealing to newcomers and those with limited space. The Pico Model C is the latest in a line of "countertop" brewing machines. It looks more like a coffee machine than anything else. In fact, it looks a lot like the company's previous machine -- the Pico -- except the stainless-steel body has been replaced with a black powder-coated finish.
Anheuser-Busch's Alexa skill lists workouts that burn off a beer
Amazon has been expanding its Alexa "skill" plugins to broaden its uses, from streaming NPR to voice-controlling your film and music libraries. If you never expected to ask your device what workout will burn off a single beer's worth of calories...well, we didn't see this coming either. Brewing conglomerate Anheuser-Busch is introducing a plugin skill for Amazon's AI system that lists exercises designed to melt precisely one Michelob ULTRA off your daily tally.
Untappd puts Foursquare-like beer recommendations front and center
The beer-focused app Untappd is a handy way to keep track of what you've tasted, what you liked and what your friends are drinking. This week, the suds social network completely redesigned its mobile software to add a bunch of new features. On top of a revamped UI, the app's directory of Foursquare-like events, venues and beer recommendations is now a central focus. Each time you fire up the app or go to check in a beer, you're greeted with those options in addition to trending beers, top rated brews, a global feed and trending locations.
After Math: Baby come back
This was a week of many happy returns. Stanford students brought back 5,000 year old Chinese beer, Prince's catalog has reappeared on streaming services not owned by Jay Z and a pair of classic Hot Wheels cars are coming out of retirement to make their Rocket League debut. Numbers, because how else will we know how long you've been gone?
Keurig and Anheuser-Busch work on an in-home beer maker
Just because Keurig didn't succeed with its Kold soda machine doesn't mean it's giving up on the prospect of making cold beverages at home. It's partnering with Anheuser-Busch InBev on developing an "in-home alcohol drink system" -- in other words, a Keurig for booze. It'll build on the technological foundations of the Kold, and the plan is to eventually cover many types of drinks. Beer is the obvious fit given AB InBev's roots, but the companies would like to offer "spirits, cocktails and mixers," among other options.
ICYMI: The alcohol creating energy and removing pollution
try{document.getElementById("aol-cms-player-1").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: The University of Colorado, Boulder is diving into a beer project with a surprising twist: Researchers have managed to use beer brewing runoff to grow a species of fungus that not only cleans the water but can also be used to create lithium-ion batteries. Meanwhile the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is helping paralyzed people regain a sense of touch through a robotic arm, by implanting electrodes in the participant's brain. The flexible phone display for music is here, and the BMW concept motorcycle that had everyone talking is here. In case you're friends with someone on Tinder, they should know about this story. As always, please share any interesting tech or science videos you find by using the #ICYMI hashtag on Twitter for @mskerryd.
Fizzics' new beer system is cheaper, smaller and easier to use
When we first tasted beers from Fizzics' countertop "draught" system last summer, we weren't expecting the device to live up to its lofty claims. The company promises to turn your bottles and cans into an on-tap experience with a little help from its so-called Micro-Foam bubbles. Aside from imparting a creamier mouthfeel and punching up some aromas, changes in flavor were relatively modest. However, it did make cheap beers noticeably better. For the second version of its "draught" setup, Fizzics is focusing more on user experience than improving the tech itself.
The Pongbot makes beer pong actually challenging
If you ever went to a party in college, chances are you've played beer pong. You throw a ball into a cup filled with beer, and a successful shot means your opponent has to take a drink. It's a way to make drinking a bit more social and competitive. It's also not something you do past a certain age -- maybe because of the frat house association, but also because it's not that hard. It's not supposed to be, given that the point is to get drunk. The Pongbot, a $40 device hitting Kickstarter today, shakes things up by making those beer-filled tumblers a moving target. You might not get drunk as fast, but you'll definitely feel the high of increased competition.
Solar-powered machine turns urine into drinkable water
Scientists from a Belgian university have built a solar-powered machine that can turn urine into drinkable water. They deployed it at a 10-day music and theater festival in central Ghent, Belgium. The experiment was a success as the scientists were able to recover a 1,000 litres of unconsumed water, which will be used to make Belgian beer, from the urine of several partygoers.
AI is being used to brew beer in the UK
Brewers have a lot of tools at their disposal when it comes to brewing beer: hops, yeast, grain and loads of equipment. One brewery in the UK is employing AI to perfect its recipes though, and it claims it's the first to do so. IntelligentX Brewing Company is a collaborative effort between machine learning company Intelligent Layer and creative agency 10x. Together the two companies created algorithms that process consumer feedback as a means of helping brewers improve their beers.
On-demand food service delivers beer with your meal
There's no shortage of online food delivery services, and services that deliver alcohol. However, getting both at the same time is a challenge. How are you supposed to complement that burger with a tasty brew? DoorDash has an answer. As of today, customers in southern California (other cities are coming, at least in the US) can order both alcohol and food at the same time, whether the drinks come from a restaurant or a liquor store. Your options will depend on the relevant corporate partnerships, but it could save you the hassle of placing a second order or (gasp) drinking something tamer.
Unofficial Belgian beer emojis use the appropriate glassware
As craft breweries explode in popularity across the US, more and more people want to express their love of specialty beers in the form of emojis -- rather, emoji. There's just one standard beer emoji (plus a "cheers" emoji that uses the same image) on Android and iOS, even though there are more than 100 styles of beer, some of which are meant to be served in specific ways. Here's where the Belgian Brewer's Association comes in. The group's latest marketing scheme is an iOS and Android emoji board featuring 60 tiny images of Belgian beers, all served in their appropriate glasses.
ICYMI: Adorable robot overlords, all-in-one home brews and more
try{document.getElementById("aol-cms-player-1").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed it: ASUS debuted a $600 home companion robot named Zenbo, who is designed to help out around the house (so long as its chores don't involve actually holding anything). Whirlpool launched an Indiegogo campaign to crowdsource a $1200 home brewing fermenting system that turns beer precursor into sippable suds in as little as a week. And we take a look at the upcoming VR game Mosh Pit Simulator, which will bring GoatSim-level insanity to your VR headset.
Whirlpool's Vessi is a homebrew fermenter that pours a pint
There's no denying the popularity of homebrewing beer among DIYers, and we've seen a number of devices that aim to make that process easier. The latest small appliance comes from a familiar name: Whirlpool. With the Vessi fermenter and tap system, the company says it is reducing the time it takes to make beer from a month down to seven days. Of course, that fermentation time depends on what style you're brewing, but for a 3.3% "light blonde ale," Whirlpool says that 7-day turnaround is possible.
ICYMI: Rubik's phone, underwater bomb bot and more
#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-997807{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-997807, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-997807{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-997807").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: The University of Bristol's Interaction Group made a phone prototype out of small cubes that can be flipped around to form different shapes. Saab created an underwater robot to help detect explosives. And Colorado State University students made a real life Mario Kart game with carts that we are dying to experience for ourselves. In case you want to share it with friends, the video for the bottle opener that automatically messages your friends when you open a beer is here. As always, please share any great tech or science videos you find by using the #ICYMI hashtag on Twitter for @mskerryd.
Beer-tracking app Untappd gets barcode scanning, hails an Uber
If you're a dedicated beer geek, chances are you're using the app Untappd to track your libations. For the unfamiliar, the mobile software allows you to log and rate beers while following what and where your friends are drinking. With a new update to the iOS version, the app is getting a load of new features. First, there's a new barcode scanner that'll make searching for beers you're drinking a breeze. Rather than having to manually search, all you'll have to do is point your phone's camera at the barcode on a bottle or can.
SYNEK's countertop draft system will soon put growlers on tap
SYNEK's countertop draft beer system is one of many Kickstarter success stories. However, due to alcohol laws in states like North Carolina and Virginia, breweries and retailers couldn't fill the company's cartridges. In those two states (and others), containers must be rigid and hold 64 oz. max. SYNEK's first solution is a bag-like container that holds 128 oz. which meant eager drinkers in a few locales haven't been able to use the device. That's about to change, though, as the company is working on an adapter that will allow you to connect a glass growler to the compact draft system.
Beer tracker Untappd goes 'to the next level'
Beer fans are probably already familiar with Untappd, an app (Google Play, iTunes, Windows Phone Store) that piggybacks on Foursquare's check-in system. Instead of just tracking where you go, it keeps a database of what you drink, what your friends drink, and what's on tap at pretty much any bar. Until now its creators have been working on it only part-time, but announced recently that through a "strategic merger" with fellow alcohol startup Next Glass, they'll be able to work on it full-time. Next Glass has an app that also keeps track of what you've been drinking, manages ratings and can recommend something else to try. Still, the founders say this won't change things much, simply promising more updates, badges and cool features faster.
