The Differences In Beer Soaps (PIC)

[AlchemyandAshes]

Just wanted to share a picture of the differences in my CP soap using 2 different types of beer as my liquid:
[attachment=0:3aei5mop]Beer_Soaps.jpg[/attachment:3aei5mop]

I make sure my beer is flat (left out overnight), then lightly boil it to a thick syrup. For this 6lb batch, I mixed my 9.7oz of lye with 15.1 oz of distilled water and added that to my oils at 110 degrees. Then I used 5oz of my concentrated beer (from a 10 oz bottle) + 5 oz distilled water, mixed, and added at light trace.
The darker, named Sleepy Hollow Ale, was made using OO-CO-PO-Castor Oil and EOs of Orange, Amyris, Ginger, & Cassia
(I used Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale)
The lighter, named Taliesin's Mead, was same oil recipe and Summer Honey NFO.
(I used Highland Brewing Company's Gaelic Ale)

I'm sure the EO's changed the color a bit in the darker soap, but the soap batter was darker to begin with after adding the beer. The lighter soap had a lighter soap batter even after adding the beer. Both poured at thick trace into silicone molds and fully gelled with light insulation (inside a box with one towel on top and one underneath).
Hope this helps anyone that is having trouble with seizing or overheating with their beer soaps!

 

[drealmo]

Beautiful!!!!

I'm actually tempted to try this. Are there any benefits to beer soaps?

 

[AlchemyandAshes]

I believe the sugar in the beer helps with lather...lots of bubbles. I think it makes my soap a little creamier too. It's also good label appeal :wink:
I forgot to add that my beer solution is refrigerated, but not frozen when I add it to my oil/lye mixture.

 

[drealmo]

Nice! I love the way your soaps look. I may try to use some beer in my next soap.

 

[motherhues]

those are lovely. I have been contemplating making beer soap for quite a while... Now I have to!!

 

[countymounty22]

Beautiful!!!!

I'm actually tempted to try this. Are there any benefits to beer soaps?

Hops containts polyphenols which is thought to be anti-bacterial. Beer also contains skin softening amino acids. I would like to see a scientific study on beer soap to see what vitamins and acids make it through the soaping process.

 

[Hazel]

Those look great! Thanks for sharing and showing the differences. I definitely get bigger bubbles when using beer as a liquid. BTW, this also works with wine if you have any on hand. :wink:

 

[AlchemyandAshes]

Thanks for the compliments

Those look great! Thanks for sharing and showing the differences. I definitely get bigger bubbles when using beer as a liquid. BTW, this also works with wine if you have any on hand. :wink:

Hazel: Can I use my method described above in my OP to soap with wine? I like to add milk/beer/honey at trace instead of in the lye solution, and thought I would do the same with wine. That's one I haven't tried yet, and would love to! I already created a recipe and ran it through SoapCalc, but wanted to get a little more info on soaping with wine before I jumped in. Will red wine just turn brown? I thought I would try some Yellowdock Root for color (if I need it), Strawberry Seeds for scrubbies, and Bergamot/Juniper/Cedarwood EOs for scent.

 

[Hazel]

Yes, the same way. I simmer it until it's slightly reduced to a syrup like you described above. Unfortunately, the soap will become darker because of the tannins in the wine. I used red wine for a batch and it turned dark brown but then lightened through the curing time to a dark tan. However, I mixed the lye in the wine. The color may not turn as dark if you add the wine later. But I don't know for sure. You'll have to try it your way and then let us know.