Priest Brews in Washing Machine

An anonymous writer sends in this story about a priest who has made a brewery out of his washing machine. See his website for recipes and pictures.

A lonely attempt at insight!

[shirameroix]

Heh, this has to be one of the worst slashdot discussions EVER. Last I looked, there were about 500 posts (mostly one liners) and half of which were modded to 0 or below. Of the remaining posts I skimmed over, a few were modded funny, and I saw not one insightful post. Someone must have something interesting to say about this article...

Washing Machine

[ctar]

I am a homebrewer, and I don't really understand what part of brewing a washing machine can come into play. The english article mentions temperature control, but I can't imagine how a washing machine could do the type of temperature control needed for making beer. During the mash (early stage) you need to keep a high temperature (around 150F) for at least 4 or 5 hours. But the water can't change. Its part of what will become beer!

During fermentation of lagers (which he is probably brewing if he is German, and if he is brewing the beers linked on his page) you need to keep a constant LOW temperature (around 40F?) for weeks. Again, I don't understand how a washing machine could help accomplish this...(unless he has a 2nd container inside the wash tub, and circulates consistently cold water around it?)

The great thing about brewing beer is you don't really need any mechanical machines. Its more about temperature control and keeping everything sanitary.

Re:My Sig.

[videodriverguy]

Not sure about the watering down, but in those times water was pretty dangerous stuff, full of impurities etc.

Wine and other fermented drinks were much safer to drink, since the process that produces alcohol also kills many of the harmful bacteria in the water.

So turning water into wine in effect purified it so the people could drink safely.

Re:Washing Machine

[jonbrewer]

but I can't imagine how a washing machine could do the type of temperature control needed for making beer

Such washing machines heat their own water, unlike American machines, which take hot water from the house. With his computer control, he can keep the temperature elevated for several hours.

Re:My Sig.

[Anonym0us Cow Herd]

Drinking to merriment is not drinking to intoxication.

I disagree. I suspect there wasn't a huge distinction. I'm not a student of history, so I may be all wet here. But it seems logical that when you don't have automobiles or other dangerous machinery that there might not be the same social stigma with drinking.

I know there is a new testament teaching about drunkenness.

But back to this wedding. Hey's it's a party, a wedding. Be happy. People drink. In fact, one of the points about bringing out the best wine first and the really cheap stuff later is that the guests are too drunk to notice. But the "water to wine" was the "good stuff" and raised the question of why the good stuff was being saved to last. (because they had run out of wine, and Jesus turned water to wine.)

Just my opinion, but I think the 20th century church is way too uptight.

Turning the water to wine being the first miracle, and it had a good result. The chief result: his disciples put their faith in him. (At end of the story.) Everyone gets so hung up about the fact that alcohol was involved. He seemed reluctant to do it at first, but his mother said "do whatever he tells you", sort of persuading him, and he did it.

Re:Is it just me?

[gmack]

Germans have a much more ballanced view on alcohol. Contrary to what a lot of the religious right and others who wish to protect us from ourselves the bible does not actually ban drinking. It only bans getting drunk or becomming addicted.

It's also important to note that beer taken in moderation is actually good for you and so are several other alcoholic drinks such as red wine.

One can also enjoy beer for it's flavour although that is hard to do when all you can find on the store shelves is wattered down crap like Molsons or Labatts. Yes I realise your average American finds those to be strong, and it is compared to say Budwieser, but my German heritage demands I drink *good* beer and that means microbrewed with ingrediants in compliance with the German purity laws.

Re:Changes the meaning of the saying...

[Krapangor]

You must be dead to become a saint.