# Home brewing question. WARNING: X-tremely gromss1 **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 26, 2004, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-brewing-question-warning-x-tremely-gromss1/231249 "2004-02-26T05:46:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2004, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-brewing-question-warning-x-tremely-gromss1/231249/1 "2004-02-26T05:46:34Z")
I appologize in advance for this. I’m not trying to cause trouble or make anyone sick with this question. Take it with a shot of humor. Though my question about sugar content is serious. I had to travel up north today to Medford to do some audits for a client of my consultant job. After work we ended up in a bar, drinking $1 bottles of Blatz beer (yeah, yeah. I know.:rolleyes: Keep reading.). My friend/client commented that even for cheap beer it tasted pretty bad. Like piss. Which got me to thinking. (hey, 3 of those and you’ll think weird thoughts too! ;)) Would it be possible to ferment urine into booze? With the sugars already present in pee, would it be possible to turn it into wine? I mean, without adding any extra sugar. How much sugar is present in average urine? Assumming the specimen comes from a healthy person. I am NOT going to try this! Okay, I **MIGHT** try it some day, but I’m not going to sample the results! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2004, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-brewing-question-warning-x-tremely-gromss1/231249/2 "2004-02-26T06:05:10Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Would it be possible to ferment urine into booze? Absolutely. In fact, fermentation can even occur _spontaneously_ in the bladder under the right conditions (e.g. poorly controlled diabetes + yeast infection): [http://www.norchemlab.com/reference/dtq/0304dtq03.htm](http://www.norchemlab.com/reference/dtq/0304dtq03.htm) > [@](#): > > In the presence of yeast or bacteria, urinary glucose can be converted to alcohol by fermentation. Thus, a person with diabetes and who has a urinary tract infection might have alcohol in their urine in spite of an absence of alcohol consumption. ---
**Author:** ![sturmhauke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@sturmhauke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sturmhauke)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2004, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-brewing-question-warning-x-tremely-gromss1/231249/3 "2004-02-26T06:51:40Z")
Geez, you learn the weirdest stuff on this board. I love it. On the other hand, _ewwww._ ---
**Author:** ![edwino](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@edwino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwino)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2004, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-brewing-question-warning-x-tremely-gromss1/231249/4 "2004-02-26T06:54:26Z")
It is important to note that it probably would only happen with glycouria (sugar in the urine), like what happens with diabetes. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2004, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-brewing-question-warning-x-tremely-gromss1/231249/5 "2004-02-26T14:21:37Z")
_In the presence of yeast or bacteria, urinary glucose can be converted to alcohol by fermentation. Thus, a person with diabetes and who has a urinary tract infection might have alcohol in their urine in spite of an absence of alcohol consumption._ What would happen if this person were made to take a drug test while at work. Is it possible they could get fired for drinking on the job when theyt weren’t? Has anyone ever used this as a defense against drunk driving? I had a guy once use the “I had used mouthwash while driving” defense (he lost). How much alcohol could be produced in the bladder? ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2004, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-brewing-question-warning-x-tremely-gromss1/231249/6 "2004-02-26T15:34:09Z")
“Bud _utherea_, made from only the _ **finest** _ diabetics!” ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2004, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-brewing-question-warning-x-tremely-gromss1/231249/7 "2004-02-26T15:55:12Z")
Actually, I think one ought to call it “Bladweiser.” ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2004, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-brewing-question-warning-x-tremely-gromss1/231249/8 "2004-02-26T15:59:08Z")
They already brew this…it’s called **Bud Light!** 😃 ---
**Author:** ![dwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwyr/32/363_2.png) [@dwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwyr)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2004, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-brewing-question-warning-x-tremely-gromss1/231249/9 "2004-02-27T02:08:35Z")
Working in the lab, I once received a urine specimen like that. It was from a diabetic with a yeast infection, there were so many organisms in it that the fermentation was visible as streams of tiny bubbles. Kind of like cheap champagne. Normal urine has \<50 mg/DL of glucose in it. Not enough. ---
**Author:** ![seaworthy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a8b319/32.png) [@seaworthy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seaworthy)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2004, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-brewing-question-warning-x-tremely-gromss1/231249/10 "2004-02-27T04:23:26Z")
Why would you only want to bew urine beer if you didn’t have to add sugar? I made my own cider a couple years ago, and I bought some non-alcoholic cherry cider, threw some yeast and corn syrup in it, and let it sit in my closet for a few weeks. It was pretty good. You could do the same thing with urine. In fact, I would do this right now if I had any yeast in the house. Maybe I’ll go buy some tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![Freiheit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e8c25b/32.png) [@Freiheit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freiheit)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2004, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-brewing-question-warning-x-tremely-gromss1/231249/11 "2004-02-27T04:32:21Z")
> [@seaworthy](#): > > Why would you only want to bew urine beer if you didn’t have to add sugar? I made my own cider a couple years ago, and I bought some non-alcoholic cherry cider, threw some yeast and corn syrup in it, and let it sit in my closet for a few weeks. It was pretty good. You could do the same thing with urine. In fact, I would do this right now if I had any yeast in the house. Maybe I’ll go buy some tomorrow. What, bread yeast? Or is there a specific kind for brewing? ---
**Author:** ![seaworthy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a8b319/32.png) [@seaworthy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seaworthy)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2004, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-brewing-question-warning-x-tremely-gromss1/231249/12 "2004-02-27T04:47:21Z")
yeah, there’s a different kind for brewing, although bread yeast will work. It just won’t taste as nice. When I made cider, I used bread yeast, but a local brewing store sells champaigne yeast. ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2004, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-brewing-question-warning-x-tremely-gromss1/231249/13 "2004-02-27T11:29:30Z")
> [@Freiheit](#): > > What, bread yeast? Or is there a specific kind for brewing? Yeah, there are many. Commercial yeasts are often specific to a certain brew (and they have trademark protection, I believe). This is why it’s difficult for even the most talented homebrewer to produce an exact copy of his or her favourite mass-produced drop. Broadly though, there are various types of wine and champagne yeasts, and for beers there are two main types: lager yeast ferments at lower temperatures, and acts from the bottom of the wort (unfermented beer) to produce Budweiser-type brews, and ale yeast (English bitters, stouts etc) likes warmer temps and it is active on the surface of the wort. ---
**Author:** ![yo\_han\_go](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yo_han_go/32/130_2.png) [@yo\_han\_go](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yo_han_go)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2004, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-brewing-question-warning-x-tremely-gromss1/231249/14 "2004-02-27T12:14:11Z")
Hey! We are talking piss-brewing here! :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Dogface](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@Dogface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogface)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2004, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-brewing-question-warning-x-tremely-gromss1/231249/15 "2004-02-27T13:15:33Z")
> [@seaworthy](#): > > yeah, there’s a different kind for brewing. This is not quite true. “Bread yeast” is the same species as “ale yeast”. The various strains of ale yeast that one can get are not very different from each other. “Lager yeast” is a different species. ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2004, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-brewing-question-warning-x-tremely-gromss1/231249/16 "2004-02-27T16:38:46Z")
> [@seaworthy](#): > > Why would you only want to bew urine beer if you didn’t have to add sugar? I made my own cider a couple years ago, and I bought some non-alcoholic cherry cider, threw some yeast and corn syrup in it, and let it sit in my closet for a few weeks. It was pretty good. You could do the same thing with urine. In fact, I would do this right now if I had any yeast in the house. Maybe I’ll go buy some tomorrow. If you do this, then I nominate you for the **mangeorge** Award for Meritorious Duty in the Fight Against Ignorance ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2004, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-brewing-question-warning-x-tremely-gromss1/231249/17 "2004-02-27T17:01:23Z")
_Made with the finest hops & Barney…_ ---
**Author:** ![rodent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4bbf92/32.png) [@rodent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rodent)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2004, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-brewing-question-warning-x-tremely-gromss1/231249/18 "2004-02-27T22:11:40Z")
Joke for a British Pub: Why do Americans drink their beer so cold? So they can tell it apart apart from urine. 😃😃😃😃 ---
**Author:** ![seaworthy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a8b319/32.png) [@seaworthy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seaworthy)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2004, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-brewing-question-warning-x-tremely-gromss1/231249/19 "2004-02-27T23:12:27Z")
> [@Shalmanese](#): > > If you do this, then I nominate you for the **mangeorge** Award for Meritorious Duty in the Fight Against Ignorance I just got paid, so I’m going to buy some yeast tonight. I’m not going to piss in a cup every time I go tomorrow, so I’m just going to do a cup. I’m drinking lots of water right now so by the time I get back from the store, I’ll be ready to start brewing. Besides, if I only do a small amount, it will take less time to ferment. I think it should be ready by Monday. But the question is, who’s going to drink it? ---
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2004, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-brewing-question-warning-x-tremely-gromss1/231249/20 "2004-02-27T23:46:39Z")
> [@seaworthy](#): > > I just got paid, so I’m going to buy some yeast tonight. I’m not going to piss in a cup every time I go tomorrow, so I’m just going to do a cup. I’m drinking lots of water right now so by the time I get back from the store, I’ll be ready to start brewing. Besides, if I only do a small amount, it will take less time to ferment. I think it should be ready by Monday. > > But the question is, who’s going to drink it? In the interest of science, I’d try it . . . my curiosity overwhelms my revulsion. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-brewing-question-warning-x-tremely-gromss1/231249.md?page=2)