Beer bug

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Permalink Reply by Ally Mcg on May 30, 2009 at 8:25pm

Eh? Whats a beer bug?
Having just googled it I'm confused.

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Permalink Reply by Don Ross on May 30, 2009 at 8:34pm

my first tast of home brew was made from a beer bug same as ginger beer bug but made a larger beer ,very nice
I think it made yeast & malt

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Permalink Reply by James P on May 30, 2009 at 8:41pm

"Beer bug" is a common term for a little, beetle-like insect that infests campgrounds and back yards all across Ontario, Canada. They are black, hard-shelled, and have small, yellow to yellowish-brown spots on their backs. They fly and, in some cases, bite! They are quite small - measuring less than 1/4" each. As soon as you touch them, the drop and "play dead".

If my old neighbour was anything to go by (bath beer type of brewer back in the day) a beer bug is a yeast starter??

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Permalink Reply by Don Ross on May 30, 2009 at 9:35pm

the guy who made beer out off a bug made it in a gal jar

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Permalink Reply by Ally Mcg on May 30, 2009 at 9:16pm

So given Jimmys info, are you lookin' at addin' the dead bugs to a starter?

I'm an immigrant, but i dunno if you get beer bugs in Nu Zild.

One of the kiwis will correct me and put me to shame

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Permalink Reply by James P on May 30, 2009 at 9:44pm

A ginger beer bug is made by adding water, sugar, ginger and yeast to a jar and left to "start", the bug still should refer to the yeast. Maybe someone with more knowledge can fill us in!

The reference to the Canadian Beer Bug is more of a gnat that flies into you beer as opposed a bug that makes a starter.

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Permalink Reply by JoKing on May 30, 2009 at 9:47pm

I know what he is talking about.

My Dad spoke of the same thing. It was the illusive "lion red" yeast strain - used as a starter to make some beer. It used to be the business before decent dried yeast strains arrived in NZ.

It's cool Don - get some US-05 and make some beer out from that - It'll be better... I promise!

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