So, I used to think that that knowing how to brew beer would be my savior post apocalypse. Now, with the popularity of our hobby, I am not sure I will be the only brewer in my tribe.
Now, I think it won’t be so much about brewing skill as the ability to source brewing ingredients. That and force. I will want to control a small army to defend my stores and take out the competition.
So, where will I get my ingredients? I need malted barley, rice or corn, and hops. Should I try to grow my own? Vertically integrated business models are hard to perfect. Then again in an agrarian economy vertical maybe the best way to go. If possible, I would prefer to concentrate on just brewing (and defending myself from the hordes.) So, I may need to buy ingredients. Should I move north to be closer to supply or will there be means to ship malt and hops across country?
My plan for yeast is to always have a batch in the fermenter. When the apocalypse comes I will at least have the yeast from the bottom of the fermenter.
For water, I will go local supply. No need to treat. People will settle for any alcohol. I’ll probably have just 2 recipes; strong and mild. The mild will be for breakfast and for the ladies and children. I am expecting the water to be unsanitary. Beer will be a staple for health reasons.
I’m all set. I have a hops yard, barley field, several strains of yeast, huge garden, orchard, bee hives, chickens, root cellar, hundreds of gallons of mead, and a well stocked pantry and generator. I’m not even a survivalist, just happen to like that stuff. I guess I’m a homesteader, but with a job.
I ponder most the water for brewing. Might have to carry water back from the river, let is settle, decant, and boil to drop the Bicarbonate. Then brew. That would be labor intensive, and would take a lot of wood.
Depends on the apocalypse I guess. Mad max or Waterworld: trees and water are hard to come by. Grain and hops, too. Revolution (TV): plenty of trees and water. Agrarian economy means someone will grow barley and hops.
I am hoping for a revolution type apocalypse myself.
I’ve always thought that the malt would be the tough part. Barley isn’t that hard to grow, but malting always seemed intimidating. Went to a Virginia distillery that makes there own malt, and found that it’s really not all that difficult. I was shocked to see how simply it could be.
Honestly though, in a post SHTF world I’d make that malt into something stronger, and stick with cider or wine for a “common” drink.
As for the ammo, I’ll save that. Venison will come by way of arrow, much less likely to attract attention that way.
Cider, berry wine of all sorts. Corn might be hard to come by so corn whisky is probably out if it’s a debilitating apocalypse. Thrown back into the neolithic in less than a generation. Beer’s probably gonna be history as well. Ain’t gonna be many bees left but they may make a comeback and if we’re lucky honey will be available.
