Expert: Dave Nyce - 6/26/2004

Question
Is it possibility to make a home brewed non-alcoholic beer? In recent years, I do not desire the "buzz" of beer and find that I really enjoy O'Douls beer.  It has a resonably good taste and no side effects. I have never made my own beer, but am considering starting if this can be done.

You might think the next question strange, but my wife does not like the smell of beer AT ALL.  She has no problem with me drinking it, but can't stand the smell. Can the smell be controlled or eliminated?  I doubt it, but I thought I would ask anyway.

Many thanks!

Jeff

Answer
In order to make nonalcoholic beer, they first make beer, and then remove the alcohol by fractional distillation - controlling the temperature and pressure to cause evaporation of the alcohol. I don't think this can be practical to do at home or in small batches. It is similar to how liquor is made, but in that case they save the distillate instead.

The other problem for you: when making beer, your whole house smells like beer for about a week to ten days.

Hope this helps!

Dave