Beer vs Water As Additive Diluant

[Zinger]

Today we were short a car, so I did my work at the office in the morning so that my son could use my vehicle to get to his job at noon. This gave me a free undisturbed afternoon with an empty house in which to make cheese. So I decided to make my first Colby. Well much to my dismay and in spite of careful planning, I discovered that I did not have any unchlorinated water in which to dilute rennet, annatto, starter, etc. The water goblin must have crept in during the night to quench his thirst with my last bottle of water.

So not knowing what to do with no neighbors around from whom I could borrow some spring water, and of course no vehicle to drive to the store, I wasn't sure what to do. My milk was now at 78 degrees and approaching my target temperature and the only thing I had in the house that in any way might work was beer. I contemplated this option deeply, but fortunately before I had to resort to experimenting with the beer, my next-door neighbor returned home and came to my rescue with a bottle of spring water. I am now waiting for my milk to ripen.

So the question of the day is; what would have happened if I had used beer to dilute my additives? Would it have hurt, would it have made any difference or would it possibly have added a new dimension to the finished product?

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

[Lennie]

The alcohol might have caused some denaturation of the enzyme in the rennet, and could have killed some of the bacteria in your starter.  But we don't know for sure because of your neighbor, darn!

Hope you enjoyed your undisturbed afternoon.

[bigfish_oz]

I would alsoi expect that the residual yeast in the beer could have some impact as well. Remember they tell you not to make cheese and bread on the same day for just that reason!

[Gürkan Yeniçeri]

Hey Bigfish, Are you Bigfish_oz at GLA?

[DeejayDebi]

I wouldn't mix my cultures in beer. Now washing or pressing the curds in beer is different.

If you run into that trouble again try boiling a cup or so and chilling it right quick.

[bigfish_oz]

Hey Bigfish, Are you Bigfish_oz at GLA?

One and the same!  And just up the road from you in Harrison!
Cheers,
Alan