[tommymorris]

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 also need to learn to distill.

[pete b]

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.

[tommymorris]

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.

Wow! I have a long way to go.

[hopfenundmalz]

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.

[klickitat jim]

With any luck the apocalypse will only last a couple three days.

[hopfenundmalz]

With any luck the apocalypse will only last a couple three days.

We had some times a day or two longer than that with no power when we had a farmhouse in the sticks. Sort of a Yuppie apocalypse.

[tommymorris]

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.

[tommymorris]

With any luck the apocalypse will only last a couple three days.

I don't know. I was hoping for at least a week.

[klickitat jim]

With any luck the apocalypse will only last a couple three days.

I don't know. I was hoping for at least a week.

Two max, because thats the most vacation I can take all at once, and when the apocalypse comes I will definitely want to be on vacation.

[hopfenundmalz]

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 grow hops. Barley that I planted only gave a small handful of grain last year.

[HoosierBrew]

I think learning to distill might be the better option in this scenario.  Plus, I figure I can strike a treaty with the zombies by keeping them drunk.

[tommymorris]

I like the way you think. Don't give them the good hooch though!

[pete b]

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.

I actually just remembered that there is a well with a hand pump in the field across the street. So good with water too.

[MDixon]

I don't think I'll have an issue sourcing ingredients so long as they still exist. I have ammo, lots of ammo. 

[Joe Sr.]

I think cider will become the drink of choice.  Much easier to source and make.

I've got booze for at least a month or more in the cellar.  Ammo?  Not so much.