BEER MACHINES

The recent legalization of home brewing by Singapore authorities has hit the shopping malls.

Previously, prospective home-brewers needed to turn to on-line supplier I-brew. However, yesterday at Carrefour, I was pleased to see this:

NOW LEGAL IN SINGAPORE!

The manufacturers could not have asked for a better slogan - though I'm still skeptical that good beers can consistently be brewed using all-powdered mixes.

I was offered a small glass of Indian Pale Ale by one of the gentlemen promoting the product. It was very light and no notable head to speak of. Still, on the whole, it was tastier than most of the bland international lagers produced by the region's larger brewers.

One problem that the retailer has not thought of, however, is that Singapore's tropical temperature may prevent consistent results.

Unless a person is willing to dedicate an active air-conditioning unit to his beer unit, there is the possibility that the island's 30+ Celsius temperatures will kill the yeast before it converts all of the sugars.

I-brew, by comparison, advertises two reasonably-priced cooling modules.

Also of note was the 10-pint BrewZer advertised in local tabloid Today. The novelty item, which also uses powdered mixes, can be ordered from a local supplier for S$99.

The 10-pint BrewZer

Naturally, a license to brew must still be acquired...

(Crossposted to A Good Beer Blog.)