Weekend Musings: High Tech Stein Keeps Beer ‘Frosty’ For Days

As a fan of beer, technology, and business I may have stumbled upon the perfect article this morning on Bloomberg to write a quick weekend note.  Apparently, a nuclear scientist–who looks like he would feel quite at home in any brewery–crafted a beer mug designed with the same technology used to store liquid nitrogen.  The effect beer, that will stay ‘frosty’ for days once placed inside the mug.  The problem , the stein doesn’t come cheap, currently they are being sold for $375 (the gallon size).  However, considering I recently purchased a $400 vacuum as a gift for someone, the high price point for a magic beer stein doesn’t seem so bad!

Apparently, Phil Broughton–the creator–presently an employee of UC Berkeley, came up with the idea while on forced furlough in September due to California’s state budget problems.  Prior to working at Berkeley, Phil had positions at the Lawerence Livermore Lab and the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station (suffice to say he is a bright guy).  It was reported that while working at the South Pole station he twilighted as a bartender and would increase the alcohol content of drinks by removing excess water with liquid nitrogen.  I am beginning to think if there was a Nobel Prize for the art of drinking, then this guy would be a serious contender.  The steins can be purchased here, but look to be presently sold out.   I do not receive any commission, or any advertising revenue for the link, but nevertheless if you have the money I think you should buy this.

And in case you missed it you can buy this miracle stein here:  http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=43362684

As a side note, to see my most recent column on Bloomberg please click here (I wish the topic was as interesting!)