In this week's substack: We look at my 18th c. beer recreation, a collab w/ Torrside & Hop Hideout, & investigate how eggs helped fermentation in 1700s; learn about historical egg & beer cocktails; & investigate how to brew w/ eggshells to repel fairies in Irish folklore. Link: tinyurl.com/m2t3jecf - ThreadSky

braciatrix.bsky.social • 95 days ago

In this week's substack: We look at my 18th c. beer recreation, a collab w/ Torrside & Hop Hideout, & investigate how eggs helped fermentation in 1700s; learn about historical egg & beer cocktails; & investigate how to brew w/ eggshells to repel fairies in Irish folklore.
Link: https://tinyurl.com/m2t3jecf

Comments

nigelsadler.bsky.social•94 days ago

I remember discussing and looking into special properties of eggs that might help beer and brewing. One point; there's a natural coating on the shell called the “bloom” or “cuticle”. This coating is, seemingly, antibacterial. Bit like the frogs used to keep Russian milk fresh in the past.

braciatrix.bsky.social•94 days ago

Oh interesting! That's a really fascinating line of inquiry I hadn't considered. So when would you add them to the brew- fermentation?

nigelsadler.bsky.social•94 days ago

This stemmed from a query that adding eggshells to beer aided it's development/improvement in the cask. Obviously the carbonate was a a possible factor to negate acidity but not in sufficient quantity IMO then the possible antibacterial properties of the bloom held off microbial contamination.

braciatrix.bsky.social•94 days ago

Oh fascinating! I have come across a historical account about adding oyster shells to help save a beer but not eggshells. This is really interesting, and a great way to use those shells.

nigelsadler.bsky.social•94 days ago

It's certainly a subject Id like more information about but there seems to be little written about it from my short searches on the subject.

braciatrix.bsky.social•94 days ago

I'll keep an eye out myself. See if I come across anything historical.

stoutheartedqueen.bsky.social•95 days ago

The egg part was fascinating, but this part in the recipe tickled me: “ there let it stand till you can see your face in it”. Details like this reveal the personality behind the recipe, which I just LOVE.

braciatrix.bsky.social•95 days ago

Saaaame! I absolutely adore reading recipe books for the same reason, especially unpublished ones. We get to hear women's voices who we often would never have before. Such an important part of historical research.

merryn02.bsky.social•95 days ago

"When you can see your face reflected in the water". I was also pleased to see this in a beer recipe. This is the classical technique, before thermometers, for knowing that the water is at the perfect strike temperature. Around 74 deg C. I've been told about it. First time I've seen it in a recipe.

braciatrix.bsky.social•94 days ago

This is so cool! Thank you for sharing- I didn't know that. I'll make a note to keep an eye out in the recipe books I go through

stoutheartedqueen.bsky.social•94 days ago

Very fascinating!

merryn02.bsky.social•94 days ago

It works because we tried it when we were doing a Viking style mash.

braciatrix.bsky.social•94 days ago

I think it's absolutely brilliant how people were able to determine temperature in ways that were easily communicated and also without a thermometer. Like the phrase 'milk warm'.

stoutheartedqueen.bsky.social•94 days ago

Well, that sent me on a fun, Internet journey on Viking-style brewing and the significance of beer to Viking culture. Currently reading about hot rocks in Viking brewing.

blunderwoman.bsky.social•94 days ago

Fascinating read. Thank you.

braciatrix.bsky.social•94 days ago

Thank you so much!

feralforestgrandma.bsky.social•95 days ago

You had me with Irish Folklore and Fae.

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