Nitrogen?
I was just searching across the web and came across this forum. I have just started brewing my own beer but I had to comment on this thread. Your friend can't possibly be allergic to nitrogen. nitrogen makes up 78 percent of the earth's atmosphere by volume, and 75% by weight. Not sure what would make him allergic to draft beer and not bottles though.
Depending on the bar, your friend may be allergic to whatever the barman is using to clean his taps and lines. I know there are a few bars around that I won't drink drafts from...
If your friend has any metal allergies (hard to know if he doesn't wear a lot of cheap jewelry), he may also be allergic to the metals in the taps and fittings...
An earlier question was about nitrogen being used for beer other than porters and stouts. Several of the McMenamins chains where I live have a Cream Ale on nitro. It is to die for!
That is one of the few nitros I really like. As I believe was mentioned, you can use it on just about any beer you want. It all comes down to your tastes.
I'm seriously considering it myself.
I don't think your friend could be allergic to nitrogen since it makes up 80% of the air we breath!
It's guessing it's hops... an old supervisor of mine was allergic to them.
Can't even drink a beer. Sucks to be her.
allergic to hops? wow, that really sucks.
My buddy's wife is allergic to hops, we give her a hard time alot. but we are looking into making gruit for her, or some other hopless beer. we did an experimental batch with Tea in it. But that one also had some hops, just wanted to see the effects of tea in a brew. Came out really good.
Cheers
Speaking of which, I have considered making a hop free beer. I like MOST hops, but I figured there has to be a way to make beer without any.
I was surprised to hear about Widmer Hooligan at the Portland Brew Fest last summer. It is a gluten free beer made with a few different syrups, but I forget which. It was really sweet. I liked it. Before having that, I had no idea beer could be made without grain.
Aside from hops, the only ways I know to flavor beer is with fruits and veggies. Always interested in trying new things.
If you are looking to make a beer without hops, but still want to get bitterness, then you might find the book "Radical Brewing" by Randy Mosher a good read. He lists several pages of things that can be used in place of hops, lists what they taste like, what parts and how much to use, etc. Lots of stuff out there that can be used in place of hops.
DT