2025-09-18T17:39:04Z

What happens when rocket science and craft beer collide? UC students just launched yeast into the stratosphere — and now it's brewing an ale that's literally out of this world!

Imagine grabbing a pint of beer and knowing its main ingredient soared nearly two miles above Earth before settling into your glass. That’s not science fiction — it’s the wild reality behind Rhinegeist Brewery’s new Apex Apple Ale. This fall, Cincinnati’s Rhinegeist will serve up 16 kegs of this limited-edition brew, crafted from yeast that took a high-speed ride on the University of Cincinnati Rocketry Team’s custom-built 'Rising Star' rocket during the International Rocket Engineering Competition in Midland, Texas.

Now, why shoot yeast into the sky? This wasn’t just a cosmic gimmick. The UC students, most of them future aerospace engineers, wanted to see how their yeast payload — tucked inside a nearly 11-foot, 60-pound rocket blasting at 750 mph — would react to intense vibration and acceleration. They rigged sensors to capture every wild twist and shake, hoping to uncover new insights for science and maybe even brewing. Nick Ketchum, Rhinegeist’s resident microbiologist and true science enthusiast, couldn’t resist the idea. As he says, making beer is part art, part microbiology — and now, part rocket science.

The partnership took off after the team approached Rhinegeist for sponsorship. Together, they dreamed up the experiment: take yeast from the brewery, launch it sky-high, bring it back, and brew something nobody’s ever tasted before. The result? An apple ale that’s subtle on fruit but bold on story, landing just in time for autumn taps and sending Rhinegeist’s sales team into orbit.

And the rocket? Rising Star wasn’t your average science fair project. With a fiberglass weave for strength, custom tailfins, an avionics bay, and two parachutes, this beast of a rocket wowed judges and crowds alike. Adjunct Professor Grant Schaffner, UC’s faculty advisor, described the launches as thunderous — close to the speed of sound, with a roar to match. At the competition, the goal was to reach exactly 10,000 feet. UC’s entry nailed 10,245 feet, making it their highest-flying rocket yet. The descent was a ballet of engineering: a drogue chute at the top, a main chute at 800 feet, and GPS tracking to keep tabs from ground control.

But it wasn’t just about the rocket or the brew. For the students, many of whom already boast co-op gigs at places like Delta Airlines, the International Space Station, and cutting-edge aerospace firms, this project was a launchpad for future careers. As project lead Pierce Elliott points out, aerospace engineering opens doors far beyond rockets — from medicine to oil and gas. And for Boller, the payload lead, the entire experience was unforgettable: pure adrenaline, roaring engines, and the thrill of making science taste delicious.

If you thought beer couldn’t get any cooler, think again. This is AI generated newscast about beer brewed with stratospheric yeast, where science and hops come together for a story that’s as fascinating as it is refreshing. Ready for your next round?