Beer Questions

[jarvan]

1. Do you think there is really a big benefit to using all beer in the recipe or would the qualities brought to the soap (that might survive Mr. Lye) just as good if I do the lye in water and then add the beer later on?

2. Does just plain beer soap smell earthy or foul?


I thought I would start with something light like Corona (though I am sad that I didn't get to drink the stuff flattening on the counter).

 

[Pepper]

I made a 100% beer soap before I found out beer accelerates trace! The soap turned out great - it's the best shampoo bar I've used, leaves my hair squeaky clean. I used the beer instead of water to dissolve the lye. I left the beer to go flat, and used it VERY cold.

 

[Bigmoose]

I agree with Pepper. I make alot of beer soaps and shampoos and they are great for the hair. I would guess I have about 10 cases of beer set aside just for soapmaking. Beer also helps to add a little more lather due to the sugars in the beer. So the bath bars are nice to use as well. I use a little FO in mine so you do not smell the beer but you can smell a little difference from my pale ale bar to the stout bar.

Bruce

 

[ilovedoxies]

I don't use any water in my beer soap. I use 100% beer. I've not had any beer smell survive saponification so a little fo or eo works nicely.

 

[Bukawww]

I have a Corona (w/limecocverbena FO) in the works for Sunday - I'll let you know how it goes for me

 

[SoapyMom]

100% beer here also, and no beer scent.
Depending on what beer I use I get different scents. Some apple ciders leave the cider scent, but pear cider beers haven't left the scent. Dark beers are my favorite, a great tan colored soap, with a nice wheat-y smell!

 

[southernheartsoaps]

I recently made a beer soap using Guinness Stout... OMG it is fabulous, the best lathering soap I've ever made... didn't scent it with anything, but did add a little honey, which added a little to the warmth of the smell of it... I've washed my hair with it as well and it's great for that too!

 

[bodybym]

I make "Salty Beer Bars" where I use a stout and do a salt bar with them. the trick is to boil off some of the alcohol so that it doesn't seize on you. It sells great a festivals (especially ones where they guys do a lot of drinking of beer - It helps my selling of it to men who usually think that soap at events if fru-fru and for girls.

 

[southernheartsoaps]

How do you do a "salt bar"? I've never heard of that... do you just add salt to the recipe? like for a scrubby benefit?

 

[carebear]

to make a salt bar you formulate with (usually) 80% - 100% coconut oil, since that's the only thing that lathers well in salt water. then at light trace, stir in a huge amount of salt (equal to 50% - 100% of the weight of your oils) and pour into the mold. best to gel. unmold and cut while piping hot (wear gloves). they will seem rough at first, but soon develop a marble-like polish.

they are interesting, but i don't love them, and really have no use for them but they do develop a kinda interesting, dense, stable lather. might be interesting to shave with, but then again salt and shaving are not a combination I think I would much enjoy.

bars last forever. freaking forever.

 

[southernheartsoaps]

Thanks, may have to give that one a try