Water on Mars. Photo: Warrenrandalcarr (Getty).
Ever since I was a kid, people have been talking about the planet Mars like we’re going to live there one day. Scientists are on top of that mission, doing everything they can to study the red planet and provide the necessary tools to navigate it, like the essential rover that looks like a Batmobile.
By the time we get there, we’ll have completed an exhausting journey and probably want to throw back a few cold ones to relax. Which is why this group of college kids have the right train of thought going: they’re growing hops in Martian soil, giving us hope for interplanetary brewskis.
Martian Beer Is Probably Going To Be Delicious
Students at Villanova University, under Professor of Astronomy Edward F. Guinan, conducted experiments in astrobiology as part of a recent class. The experiments focused on farming crops that might be able to grow in Martian soil. One group of students grew hops — the plant used to make beer — in an artificial Martial soil based on years of analysis by scientists who studied data from our planetary neighbor. Of all the plants grown in the soil, hops seemed to flourish among the best in the class. Break out the beer mugs!
“I don’t know if it’s a practical plant, but it’s doing fairly well,” Professor Guinan said.
Other students in the class chose more practical plants, like soy beans, kale and potatoes, because the experiments were meant to grow foods to feed a potential colony. Kudos to them since we, of course, have to eat, but I’m all for the group who’s thinking outside of the box and looking out for colonists who want to party and have a good time on Mars.
As a follow up to those this effort, two students in the following semester are attempting to grow barley. If that gets done, you can pretty much guarantee we have scientific evidence to show we can produce beer on Mars. Now I can’t wait to get there. Imagine the tagline alone for Martian beer: An out-of-this world red ale.
