How do I convince others that homebrew won't kill you?

[DaRabman]

Hey guys,

I'm in the deeply distressing situation of having my designs for a University brewing club vetoed by the student union due in part to superstitions over the potential of creating 'something that will make students ill'. Unbelievable, I know.
Now obviously I know full well the mantra that if the water's good enough to drink, it's good enough for beer, but how can I best articulate this to the critics? As far as I know, the only even remotely possible contaminants that can result from brewing are cleaning your copper kit with bleach or methanol from trying to ferment funny things like pectin.
Can anyone recommend a few reassuring comments, or the odd one-shot "Don't be so bloody foolish!" remark that I can dispense in a cool debate?

Cheers,

DaRab.

[themadhippy]

point them in the direction of the 1854 broad street cholera outbreak,those who drunk beer didnt die,those who avoided the beer and drank the water got cholera

[The Dribbler]

Threaten them that you will turn up at all their meetings and shout "not quorate".

Nobody gives a shit about the unions, yet thet still need x number of members to turn up when they vote on crap. That X number is always stupidly high, and they get 3% of the number.
Shouting quorate at them means they must adjourn their meeting untill they are quorate

Will piss them off no ends, untill you have a fantasticly funded club.

[greenxpaddy]

Exactly. The only beer that will make you ill is a beer that tastes like it will. I am guessing it's an airy fairy uni then rather than science based. Any scientist will tell them the truth about beer safety.

[JohnMarso]

Make beers that dont taste like Home brew

[Wolfy]

I'm in the deeply distressing situation of having my designs for a University brewing club vetoed by the student union due in part to superstitions over the potential of creating 'something that will make students ill'. Unbelievable, I know.

But they're right ... beer contains Ethanol, and alcohol is a psychoactive drug that can cause illness in a large number of ways: cardiovascular disease, malabsorption, chronic pancreatitis, alcoholic liver disease, cancer, damage to the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system, not to mention hang over and puking your guts up after drinking too much.

However, there is no reason, science or proof to suggest that home brewed beer (if it takes good enough to drink) is anymore harmful than a commercial product - many may even suggest it's less harmful.

[Aleman]

I'm in the deeply distressing situation of having my designs for a University brewing club vetoed by the student union due in part to superstitions over the potential of creating 'something that will make students ill'. Unbelievable, I know.

But they're right ... beer contains Ethanol, and alcohol is a psychoactive drug that can cause illness in a large number of ways

The really important thing to remember is that most beer contains around 95% FiHydrogen Monoxide which is a true killer, I am amazed that no one realises this, and still continues to make beer . . .We must bring this to the attention of the worlds brewers!!

[boingy]

My dad is still adamant that home brewed beer makes you blind.

[Woodchip]

My dad is still adamant that home brewed beer makes you blind.

I've drunk Polish beer where I was concerned that may happen. Not happened with my homebrew though.

[oldbloke]

Would your BrewSoc need to be Union sanctioned, if you don't use Union facilites? The Chem Dept may have a quiet corner where you could actually set up some gear.

[Wolfy]

The really important thing to remember is that most beer contains around 95% FiHydrogen Monoxide which is a true killer, I am amazed that no one realises this, and still continues to make beer . . .We must bring this to the attention of the worlds brewers!!

Luckily (for you) one can now buy DHMO free beer: http://patsbcb.com/beer/43-beer/85-beer.html

[Manx Guy]

[quote="WolfyBut they're right ... beer contains Ethanol, and alcohol is a psychoactive drug that can cause illness in a large number of ways: cardiovascular disease, malabsorption, chronic pancreatitis, alcoholic liver disease, cancer, damage to the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system, not to mention hang over and puking your guts up after drinking too much.

quote]

However they sell plenty of alcohol in the Student Union so they can't use that argument!





Guy

[50quidsoundboy]

Hey guys,

I'm in the deeply distressing situation of having my designs for a University brewing club vetoed by the student union due in part to superstitions over the potential of creating 'something that will make students ill'. Unbelievable, I know.
Now obviously I know full well the mantra that if the water's good enough to drink, it's good enough for beer, but how can I best articulate this to the critics? As far as I know, the only even remotely possible contaminants that can result from brewing are cleaning your copper kit with bleach or methanol from trying to ferment funny things like pectin.
Can anyone recommend a few reassuring comments, or the odd one-shot "Don't be so bloody foolish!" remark that I can dispense in a cool debate?

Cheers,

DaRab.

this is so depressing. we're talking, essentially, about a cookery club after all. the total ignorance of it is just appalling btu also not surprising. good luck and don't give up!

[50quidsoundboy]

also, perhaps if you got in touch with the Craft Brewer's Association, they'd write a letter of support to your SU. i do wonder to what extent their prejudice is influenced by how much of their funding presumably comes from macro lager sales at the SU bar...

[Dr. Dextrin]

Students? Unlimited supply of booze (maybe with added sugar)? What could possibly go wrong?