It’s one of three most popular beverage choices for any occasion, the oldest alcoholic beverage produced and has the oldest code of laws (the death penalty was once observed in 1750 BC for those who were caught watering it down). Want to know what it is? It’s Beer of course.

Whether it’s drunk after a game of Golf, during a picnic or while hanging out with family and friends it’s enjoyed by millions of people every day. But Beer isn’t just for drinking anymore it has a whole list of practical uses that many people don’t realize, myself included.
The accumulation of Sixteen Beer tips listed below help solve common issues in the home, yard and can even be used as a beauty aide. Having trouble trying to wrap your mind around this one? I was too, until I did some research and tried a few of these tips for myself, this is what I found.

1. Kills Slugs: Slugs are a nuisance to Gardeners, chewing leaves and destroying crops overnight. Entice them with a little beer, simply pour a little into some empty jars or cups and place them in the soil, making sure the entire cup is submerged below ground level. The slugs will drop in when heading toward your plants, but they can’t get back out.

2. Use in a Bath: Empty a few 40 ounce bottles into your next bath. The yeast, Hops and other ingredients are great skin-softeners.

3. Lawn and Gardening: The acids in beer help kill off bugs living in a lawn that may ultimately lead to brown spots or thinning. Pour flat beer in multiple areas of your lawn by mixing with a liquid spreader or pouring from the can. The other ingredients such as yeast help promote green and healthy growth and are also beneficial in providing nutrients to crops and plants. When adding flat beer to soil, mix thoroughly and wait one day for the ingredients to be absorbed completely then plant as usual.

4. Calm an Upset Stomach: Carbonation in beer can help ease an upset stomach, similar to drinking soda. Obviously, this is not good for children, people with an ulcer or other stomach illnesses.

5. Carpet and Clothing Stain Removal: Just get a stain on your carpet or clothing? You’re in luck if it’s a light beer you’re drinking it will help pull that stain out. Always do a patch test first to make sure the fabric or carpet will not be affected adversely. Then pour, blot and repeat until the stain has gone. This tip works especially well with dark stains such as sauces and red wine. It’s advisable to wash your clothing as soon as possible or use a steam cleaner on your carpet to remove any residual stain particles and the scent of beer too.

6. Beef Jerky and Steak Marinade: Use a good beer or lager to help tenderize your meat. It adds a distinctive taste and it’s healthier for you than using one of those chemical tenderizers. So next time you’re grilling choose your favorite beer, poke multiple holes in your piece of steak or meat, pour the beer on as marinade and allow it to sit for as close to 24 hours as possible. You’ll not enjoy a tender dinner, but the beer will provide a distinctive flavor.

The same idea goes for preparing your own Jerky. Allow your strips of meat to marinade in the beer over nigh at least before placing in a food dehydrator. The added flavoring makes each piece of handmade Jerky taste dynamite and makes it chewier and not rock hard too.

7. Restore Wood Furniture Luster: Flat beer makes a great wood reviver. Dampen a wood polishing cloth with a flat beer and then rub gently into furniture. It will give it a glossy polish and add color to faded pieces too.

8. Hair Lightener: Give your lovely locks that sun-kissed glow. Soak you hair in beer and then lay in the sun. It will pull out terrific highlights. Beer is also a handy hair conditioner. Pour a bottle through your hair until it’s completely soaked, let sit for twenty minutes then rinse.

9. Polish Gold Jewelry, Brass and Copper: Don’t bother buying expensive store-bought cleaners. Drop your rings and other trinkets into a dish of beer, then remove and polish to a beautiful sheen using a dry cloth. Trying to get that brand new glow to appear on those Brass or Copper knick knacks? Fill a tub with beer and let your belongings sit while the carbonation and Hops works their magic. Remove your items, rinse thoroughly then buff to a rich glow with a soft cloth.

10. Insect Distracter: If you’re like me and don’t like insects and bees interfering at barbecues or social gatherings then you’ll enjoy this quick tip. About an hour before guests arrive or while you’re preparing your BBQ, place a few containers of beer around the perimeter of the yard. The sugar and permeating smell of beer will attract bees and annoying insects while you enjoy your day outside pest free.

11. Beer Batter for French Fries, Onion Rings and More: Many people know about this tip, but I thought I’d add it just in case it has been forgotten. When preparing your own batter for French Fries, Onion Rings or even Fried Vegetables add a little beer to the batter. The carbonation and taste of the beer creates a batter that is incredibly light, fluffy and tantalizes even the most discerning of palates.

12. Chili Recipe Additive: Next time you’re mixing up a pot of your favorite chili add a bottle of dark beer that you enjoy. The alcohol cooks off and leaves the tasty flavoring of the beer chosen behind.

13. Wash Bed Linens to Ease Insomnia: This may be the last idea anyone would consider doing with their beer, but it does help if you’re struggling to avoid nightly meetings with Ms. Insomnia. The nutty aroma from beer causes most people to relax easier and fall asleep quicker. If you’re not comfortable washing your entire bed linen in beer, just try washing the pillow cases for now. It is definitely worth a try and beats taking sleeping pills that may make a user unable to function properly upon waking, not to mention they can become addictive.

14. Emergency Fire Extinguisher: This is probably the last thing anyone would ever want to do with a new, unopened can of beer. However, in the event of an emergency it’s one of the best tools available to fight against a spreading fire. Simply shake the can, point toward the advancing flame and open the can. The pressure built up inside the can acts like a portable fire extinguisher. Of course this is purely for fires that are outside or at a camp site and not for any type of grease of chemical fires.

15. Cockroach and Ant Trap: Having trouble controlling those indestructible Cockroaches or perhaps Ants are taking over your home. Create a trap they won’t be able to resist and is chemical free. First, soak a piece of bread in beer and find a jar to drop it into. Coat the top of the jar with Vaseline. Roaches and Ants will be attracted to the bait inside due to the sugar content in beer. But once they get in the jar they can’t get out.

16. Emergency Antiseptic: It’s not exactly the first go to source anyone would think of, but if your camping or otherwise stuck someplace that is far from an emergency room or don’t have a First Aid Kit of your own. Beer can be used as a temporary cleansing agent. The alcohol content is enough that it will help wash and remove some of the bacteria associated with a scraped knee, cut or skin breaking injury.