After a nuclear apocalypse, can you stay hydrated?

[MillCreek]

http://www.npr.org/blogs/krulwich/2012/09/18/161338723/u-s-explodes-atomic-bombs-near-beers-to-see-if-they-are-safe-to-drink?ft=1&f=1001

Yes, canned and bottled beer near ground zero is still palatable and can quench that raging thirst after a nuclear fireball!

[brimic]

Well there's one silver lining I guess.

[TommyGunn]

It's comforting to know that even after I have been converted into free radicals and ionized radiation in the upper atmosphere I will still be able to partake of beer.

[makattak]

For all the joking about the study, I think this was actually a good use of government money.

Canned beverages that survive a nuclear blast are likely safe to drink. If you are concerned about getting the bomb dropped on you, that's some VERY useful information.

[Viking]

Well there's one silver lining I guess.

I don't think silver will do much good to stop radiation. You'll want lead for that.

[brimic]

I don't think silver will do much good to stop radiation. You'll want lead for that.

Or hide in the beer cooler at the local liquor store if expecting a bomb.

Walmart often has fort-like stacked cases of beer on display, that might be good too.

[MillCreek]

Or hide in the beer cooler at the local liquor store if expecting a bomb.

Walmart often has fort-like stacked cases of beer on display, that might be good too.

Well, Indiana Jones did hide out in that refrigerator to no ill effect.   

[makattak]

Well, Indiana Jones did hide out in that refrigerator to no ill effect.   

>.<

People really need to replace the phrase "jump the shark" with "nuke the fridge".

[brimic]

People really need to replace the phrase "jump the shark" with "nuke the fridge".

Or need to mentally associate that movie with Indiana Jones being repeatedly raped by George Lucas and Stephen Spielberg as per South Park.

[roo_ster]

Or need to mentally associate that movie with Indiana Jones being repeatedly raped by George Lucas and Stephen Spielberg as per South Park.

What Indiana Jones movie?

In my reality, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade was the last IJ movie made.

Similar to Star Wars, in that only episodes 4-6 were ever made, ending with Jedi.

[brimic]

What Indiana Jones movie?

The crystal skull one.

[Tallpine]

If we're going to get nuked, let's drink all the beer right now!

[AJ Dual]

LOL...

I guess you could run across a cache of cans or bottles that were closer to ground zero than you were, about two weeks to a month when it's "safe" because the Iodine-131 and other really hot nasties have had a few half-lives to burn off.

However, generally speaking, if you're close enough to the blast that neutron activation of beverages in containers is a concern, or that ionization/chemical changes from gamma flux is also a worry... I don't think you're going to make it no matter what. 

[Hutch]

"So I got that going for me.  Which is nice."

[RevDisk]

I love science.

[SADShooter]

Nice to know my homebrew would potentially survive me. A legacy at last...

[Lee]

Now that's a boilermaker.

[MrsSmith]

LOL...

I guess you could run across a cache of cans or bottles that were closer to ground zero than you were, about two weeks to a month when it's "safe" because the Iodine-131 and other really hot nasties have had a few half-lives to burn off.

However, generally speaking, if you're close enough to the blast that neutron activation of beverages in containers is a concern, or that ionization/chemical changes from gamma flux is also a worry... I don't think you're going to make it no matter what. 

No, no, no, AJ, you're missing the point. After the nuclear apocalypse, we'll all have to roam in search of supplies (i.e. Mad Max, Book of Ely, etc., etc.) and now we know that five years afterward, when we stumble across that stash of unopened beer, it's okay to sit down and get *expletive deleted*it-faced drunk. Unless Tallpine drank it all BEFORE the bomb dropped.

[AJ Dual]

Most beer is NOT like wine or spirits.

If you find any after a year... you're welcome to it. In fact I'll set it aside for you. Although folks raised on Budweiser might not notice.

Barleywine is a different story, that will get better with age, assuming a decent temperature is maintained, but it's an acquired taste to be sure.

[gunsmith]

So after the apepocalypse we can go into the forbidden zone and retrieve the beer, get the gorillas drunk and reestablish human supremacy ! Awesome.

[RevDisk]

Most beer is NOT like wine or spirits.

If you find any after a year... you're welcome to it. In fact I'll set it aside for you. Although folks raised on Budweiser might not notice.

Barleywine is a different story, that will get better with age, assuming a decent temperature is maintained, but it's an acquired taste to be sure.

This. Most beer has a limited shelf life.

It doesn't generally improve with age after the first few weeks. Also, exposure to UV is extremely harmful to proper beer.

[roo_ster]

Back when I homebrewed, I recall drinking 2YO batches that were terrific.  I did not skimp on the alcohol content & hops, though.

[SADShooter]

Back when I homebrewed, I recall drinking 2YO batches that were terrific.  I did not skimp on the alcohol content & hops, though.

Keys to shelf life. I've made some high test ales intended to mature for 8-12 months.

[makattak]

I will note that, if I'm looking through an area hit by a nuclear weapon for hydration, I'm not overly concerned how nasty the beer tastes.

I will also note that this study looked at a number of canned beverages, not just beer.

In a society where infrasture may have broken down following a nuclear war, again, I will say that the information was quite useful.

At the time of this study, wouldn't most warehouses have been near urban areas? Wouldn't, also, said urban areas be the most likely targets of a nuclear war?

So, as per this study, if you're trying to deal with thousands of individuals with significantly damaged infrastructure, one need not necessarily discard all the beverages found in the area of a nuclear attack.

Again, I think this is a clear example of pertinent question for doomsday planning, back when government studies tried to accomplish useful things.