Sure, We Expect to Drink Beer When We Travel in Space

While it is difficult to fix the date and place that the first brewmaster created beer, historical evidence exists proving the beverage existed as early as the fourth millennium BCE. Ceramic vessels from the Sumerian civilisation of ancient Mesopotamia, dated by archaeologists at 3400 BCE and still sticky with beer residue, provide irrefutable evidence that the brewing and consumption of beer have taken place for over 5000 years.

Ancient scrolls show that the Egyptian civilisation was especially fond of beer, consuming beer as a part of their regular diet, probably a much safer alternative to Nile River water, as sanitation knowledge was limited. Christian monks and other artisans created the first modern beers, brewed with hops, during the Middle Ages.

Beer even played a role in the early exploration of the world. Early mariners discovered that beer was a perfect way to preserve drinking water and ward off scurvy. In fact, Captain James Cook and the crew of the HMS Endeavour, which landed at what is now known as Botany Bay in 1770, introduced the first beer to Australia.

The crafting and brewing of beer by skilled brewmasters is an integral part of human existence, intertwined with human history. Beer has a long association with special events, especially travel, whether a limousine ride, travel by train, or by plane. With civilisations long history with beer, sure, we expect to drink beer when we travel in space.

Space tourism is quickly becoming a reality, with more recreational space flights booked than astronauts visiting space in the last 57 years. With commercial space travel being imminent, 4 Pines Brewing Company and Saber Astronautics have joined forces to ensure that world's first beer for space, Vostok Space Beer, is ready for recreational space travel.

Creating a beer suitable for space travel involves more than the traditional brewing process. For starters, the human body absorbs alcohol differently in zero-gravity, and the senses are dulled, altering the way things taste. The brewers choose a dry Irish style Stout recipe, a high flavoured beer, to guarantee that no matter how far from Earth you travel, you can still enjoy the full flavour of a more Earthly beer.

The second major hurdle in the creation of Vostok Space Beer was the development of technology that allows space travellers to enjoy beer from the bottle, just like at home on Earth. Astronauts currently use a squeeze packet design for water, orange juice, and other beverages, because liquids do not pour in zero-gravity. But a quality beer deserves the respect of drinking from the bottle. Vostok solved this issue by developing a bottle insert which wicks the beer to the bottle mouth, producing enough surface tension so that Vostok Space Beer can be drunk directly from the bottle in space.

Sure, we expect to drink beer when we travel in space. History shows that beer has been a part of the rise of civilisation, present at every one of humanity's milestone achievements. The partnership of 4 Pines Brewing Company and Saber Astronautics from Manly, Australia ensures that beer will be a part of the final frontier.