[TrippLowe]

Hey Folks,

A coworker passed along one of their homebrew kits they don't want to pack up for their move. After reading the "How-tos" on the process, I see that active yeast is one of the ingredients. I am alergic to active yeast. Is there an alternative to yeast in the homebrew process? If not, can ya'll give some pointers on how to minimize the yeast content?

Thanks Much
Tripp Lowe

[hevimees]

I don't think that there's any alternative to using yeast, but someone correct me if I'm wrong.

The little amount of yeast in the bottom of a bottle is an essential part of home-made beer, and as far as I see it you've got two choices. The first is just to be really careful when pouring the beer from the bottle to the glass so that you don't get any yeast in the glass. Be sure to store the bottles upright so that the yeast stays in the bottom.

The other way would require a bit more equipment but will give you a yeast-free beer: First let the beer ferment completely in the plastic container you use. Leave it into the container for about a week or until its completely clear (the yeast will sink to the bottom of the container). Siphon the beer into another container and be sure that no yeast comes with the beer. Bottle the beer and carbonate it artificially (for example with a soda machine).

You might also want to check out the Cooper's website (www.coopers.com.au), there are some tips about beer making.

[hevimees]

After some research we continue on the subject...

If you want to be absolutely sure that your beer is yeast free, you should purchase/rent some kind of a filtering system designed for homebrewing. With one of those you can be sure that no yeast or other substances get into the bottles.

So, let the beer ferment (for two weeks according to http://www.howtobrew.com), filter it, bottle & carbonate artificially.