5 Unlikely Uses for Leftover Beer

Beer’s so much more than just a mood enhancing good time – it’s also a lifestyle essential. In addition to being endlessly enjoyable to drink, its uses beyond the glass are seemingly endless.

Who knew that beer was not only an indispensable beauty aid, but also a vital household tool? Or that you might need beer in your tool box, as well as in your backyard?

Natural Fertilizer for Your Garden

Beer contains nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, which are beneficial for plants.

You can pour leftover beer into your compost pile to boost the decomposition process, or dilute it with water (about one part beer to two parts water) and use it to water your plants. This natural fertilizer can help improve the health and growth of your garden.

Pest Control

Looks like we’re not the only ones that enjoy a good beer in the yard from time to time. Outdoor pests, things like insects and slugs, can’t resist beer in the yard either.

All you have to do is leave a bowl of beer in your backyard overnight and those unwanted yard dwellers will drink it away. And then in the morning birds will have their way with the besotted critters. Hey it’s kinda like beer’s “circle of life.”

Hair Treatment

Next time you run out of your favorite shampoo there’s no need to make that unplanned pharmacy run in your bathrobe. Because beer mixed with distilled water, scented oil and voila will do the trick – and leave your hair shiny, hydrated and healthy.

After shampooing your hair, rinse it with a small amount of beer. Let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing thoroughly with water. The beer even acts as a conditioner, and its ingredients can help strengthen and repair damaged hair.

Meat Marinade

Beer can be an excellent marinade for meat, adding flavor and helping to tenderize tougher cuts. The acidity in beer breaks down the proteins in meat, making it more tender.

Combine leftover beer with your favorite herbs, spices, and a bit of oil, then marinate your meat for a few hours or overnight before cooking. This works particularly well with beef, and almost as good with pork, and chicken.

Multi-Purpose Cleaning Solution

Beer’s slight acidity makes it a surprisingly good cleaning agent for certain surfaces. You can use it to polish wooden furniture, clean jewelry, or even remove stains from fabric.

For wooden furniture, dampen a cloth with beer and gently rub it onto the surface to restore shine. For jewelry, soak items in beer for a few minutes, then rinse and dry. To tackle fabric stains, pour a bit of beer directly onto the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, and then wash the fabric as usual.

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Beer…Is there anything it can’t do?