From: trwagner@bronze.ucs.indiana.edu (Me!! Ted.)
Subject: Re: Brewing, other things besides beer???
Organization: Indiana University
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 15:40:00 GMT

In article <1992Dec14.100321.9549@ac.dal.ca> ech@ac.dal.ca writes:

>
>	Pardon me for saying so, but uric acid is from nitrogen waste.  To
>my knowledge there are no more nitrates or amines in beer than in any other
>given food.  Uric acid crystal deposits are associated with improper
>purine catabolism, as in gout.  Gout can be caused by lead poisoning, but
>by beer?  I doubt it.  Get a second opinion from a physician who knows what
>she/he is talking about.  If alcohol causes the symptoms, then all booze is
>out.  I don't see any way in which beer may be singled out as the only
>culprit.  

	Not sure.  I do have my test results.  I have the problem
only when drinking beer.  Strange.  When I have a full profile chemical
profile done when this happens, my uric acid count is through the roof.
I have hypothyroidism, but from what I know now this does not cause
this.  I can drink all kinds of alcohol.  But, I only have a reaction with
beer.  Strange, I know.  But, all tests reveal high uric acid.  Strange.
I usually flood my body with water for 5 days and the symptoms disappear.
(from as little as six beers).  
	When I first when in for this symptom 3 years ago, I did get
a second, and third opinion.  In fact, I had a kidney stone back in 
the summer of 1985.  The chemical profile of that?  Uric acid.
Strange.  And, that was at the best hospital with one of the best urologists
in the state.  Anyway, my dianosis was that I had gout.  All the doctors
said, no, its not gout, but you do have crystalyn deposits of uric
acid in your joints.  They did find my hypothyroidism and that corrected
everything else (had MASSIVE cholesterol, very low blood pressure,
heart rate of 42, and literally no metabolism).
	I don't know either.  Oh well.  I know what happens when I 
drink beer (wine, whiskey, and other forms of alcohol have no
effect strangely).
	I still question this too, but as I said, the result of me
drinking beer is that I am unable to walk, at all, without severe pain
in my feet.

	Anyway, this is more for the sci.med newsgroup.

Thanks Ed.  I like more than one opinion always anyway.  ;)

	Now, a lot of people have suggested I try mead.  The thought
intrigues me highly.  I would like some feedback from those readers
who have made mead.  
	I have a few questions
	
	1)  Does it take anymore equipment or supplies than making beer?
	2)  How much longer is the process over beer?
	3)  What are the tastiest recipes in general for someone
	who has never had mead...I admit, never tasted it ... ever.
	4)  What is the cost ratio of making mead as opposed to making
	beer?
	5)  Is mead any more easier or harder than beer?

	Stuff like that.  After my bout with that damn beer 'kit'
(self-contained beer making kit) I want to make beer or mead or SOMETHING
in a more sensible fashion.  BTW, that beer kit, forgot its name,
is not worth trying IMHO.  I posted a note to the digest and had some
comments on it back in March and April I believe.  I went back to my
liquor store.  They needed the whole damn thing to give me a refund...even
with the receipt.  I can understand that.  So, they just gave me an exchange.
I tried it again.  It came out the same.  Terrible mush.  Yick!
	Never again!  I will do it like every one else and not be such
a lazy ass.  ;)  I am going to take the dip into brewing next month!
Hurray!  Finally!  ;)

	I had tried brewing back in the fall of 1986 and had miserable 
results!  I hope this fairs better.  (wouldn't mind making wine...but,
it takes too damn long!  My dad is a winemaker.  Was.  He re-married and
got cursed!  grrr).

	Well, better tie this message off so I don't choke some sites
with a long message...and verbose.  ;)

Happy Brewing!

Ted


-- 
         Swallowing your pride rarely leads to indigestion.
         A hard thing about business is minding your own!
-trwagner@bronze.ucs.indiana.edu   &    trwagner@kiwi.ucs.indiana.edu-
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