On July 20th, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the moon, marking a huge feat in scientific history. In October of 2014, Ninkasi Brewing Space Program succeeded in shooting a rocket of yeast into outer space with high hopes of making brewing history. This week on April 13th Ninkasi launched (pun intended) its final product, Ground Control. Now “that’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for beer.”
The Imperial Stout is described to be a complex brew of Oregon hazelnuts, star anise and cocoa nibs, fermented with the famous Ale yeast that survived a trip of 77.3 miles into outer space and back. What a trip!
Although this is the first beer made with “space yeast” it is not the very first space beer of it’s kind. In 2009 Sapporo brewed a beer with barely that spent 5 months in space, however this brew sold with a higher price tag, going for $80 US dollar per six pack. A limited supply Ground Control is available to the public, and a 22 ounce bottle will set you back just under $20. This is after $80,000 worth of exploration and experimentation, what a deal! This beer has literally traveled to infinity and beyond to be enjoyed by mankind, and if you can get your earthling hands on a bottle, cheers to that.