Buzz
Though beer and wine usually don’t last long at my place, occasionally there’s a stray can or bottle left behind after a party. When this rare situation happens, the leftovers can be repurposed in a variety of ways, many of which are pretty unconventional. This list will give you some ideas on how to make the most of your leftover beer. If you have any other creative uses, feel free to share them in the comments!
10. Soak in it
Beer makes for a fantastic skin conditioner. Next time you’re preparing for a relaxing bath, pour in a generous amount of dark beer before you get in and just soak away! It’s a great alternative to using salt crystals (which soften the water), but there’s no reason you couldn’t combine the two for an ultra-luxurious experience. Just avoid drinking the bathwater! And, a word of caution—be careful if you head outside afterward on a hot day (see item 4).
9. Ease a Troubled Stomach
This is by far my favorite remedy on the list. If your stomach is in distress, sipping a can of beer slowly can help calm it down – plus, the alcohol has a numbing effect that soothes the pain. Many of us also know this to be an excellent hangover remedy! Just avoid using this method if you suffer from ulcers or gastritis.
8. Shine Your Furniture
Beer is an unexpectedly effective polish for wooden furniture. Let a can of beer become completely flat and stale, then pour a small amount onto a polishing cloth. Buff your wooden furniture and finish off with a dry buff. You’ll be amazed at the brilliant shine your furniture will have.
7. Tenderize Meat with a Marinade
Beer is a fantastic marinade. No matter what type of meat you’re preparing, it will benefit from a few hours (the longer, the better) marinating in beer. Feel free to get creative by adding any flavorings you like to the beer – you can even try ingredients like marmalade or jam. A more common choice would be soy sauce or other Asian sauces. If marinating pork, consider adding chunks of pineapple and its juice with a touch of ginger for a sweet and sour twist.
6. Eliminate Slugs Naturally
Slugs can be a nuisance in the garden, especially if you're growing edible plants. Instead of relying on harmful chemicals like DDT, bury a small saucer in the ground, leaving its rim just above the surface. Fill it with fresh beer daily. The slugs will be drawn to the scent, consume the beer, and end up drowning. Refresh the beer each day, and with a bit of luck, you'll have a saucer full of slugs and thriving vegetables!
5. Fertilize Your Garden
The yeast and other byproducts in beer are beneficial for plant growth. If you find yourself with leftover cans or bottles of beer, pour the remnants onto the garden. However, be cautious about cigarette butts that might be present if your guests have used them as ashtrays—while some plants may tolerate nicotine, others could be harmed, potentially killing your most prized plants.
4. Repel Bees
Bees and wasps are drawn to beer – so instead of splurging on citronella oils or candles, try placing a few open beer cans around your yard when hosting a BBQ. Just make sure to position them far from where guests will be seated or standing. Also, ensure no one accidentally drinks from one of the cans, as it could lead to an unpleasant – and possibly dangerous – situation!
3. Grill a Chicken
This might be one of the simplest recipes you can try. All you need is a can of beer, a chicken, and a barbeque. Open the can, stand the chicken on it (where you would usually stuff the bird), and place it upright on the grill. As the chicken cooks, the beer warms up and infuses the meat with a subtle, delicious flavor. For extra flavor, rub olive oil, salt, and pepper on the chicken before starting. If you prefer, you can also use a seasoning rub. Just make sure you drink half the beer from the can beforehand—getting some help for that part shouldn’t be hard! Grill with the BBQ lid on for about 1.25 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the breast and 180°F in the thigh, or the juices run clear when pierced with a knife.
2. Prepare the batter
When preparing a batter, it's common to include a raising agent, like baking powder. For this recipe, we’ll use beer. The bubbles and yeast in the beer do the trick. Here’s the simple method: Combine 1.5 cups of flour and ½ teaspoon of salt in a bowl. Slowly add a 12oz can of beer while stirring the mixture. If the batter feels too thick, just pour in more beer. If it’s too runny, add a bit more flour. If you're making this batter for fish, first coat the fish in flour, shaking off the excess. This batter is one of my go-to recipes, and it tastes great every time.
1. Wash your hair
Beer 'shampoo' can help restore shine and volume to dull, lifeless hair. It's a more natural alternative to the chemical-laden shampoos you find in stores. Simply mix one can of beer with a raw egg and use it just like regular shampoo. Using raw eggs in hair care was quite common in the past, and they even create a lather similar to commercial shampoos. Give it a try, and you might be pleasantly surprised by the results. Just remember that this mixture can spoil after a few days, so it’s best used as a special treatment once a month. Beer alone can also serve as a conditioner—just rinse your hair with it, let it dry, and then rinse it out again.
