I decided to make a beer soap for Fall using my favorite beer, a dark stout. I added oatmeal and cocoa powder to create my chocolate oatmeal stout beer soap. I also created a video showing how I prepared the beer, removing the carbonation and lowering the alcohol content. :)

Note: If you’re a beginner or want to learn more about soap making, check out these helpful videos:
Soap Queen TV – LYE SAFETY:  http://goo.gl/FqA0Yt
Amanda Aaron of Lovin’ Soap – BEGINNER SERIES: http://goo.gl/DjTzuE

I made this soap a while back but only just now finished the video. It’s been a very busy Fall so far for this little soap making shop, and we are so thankful. We also hit 20,000 YouTube subscribers this month. I’m still shocked. Making videos is my second favorite thing to do (right behind soap making). The fact that anyone (much less 20,000 plus) people would want to watch my videos is just so incredible to me. I am so thankful for every view, like, comment, suggestion, question, and all the subscribers who sign up just to see what I make next. Thank you all so very much. :)

Okay, back to the soap…

I have a lot of info on my actual YouTube video page (under the video in the Show More section). But here are a few of the details in case you’d rather just stay here. Feel free to comment below with any questions. I’ll do my best to answer them as soon as possible.

BEER
You can use any beer to replace the water in your recipe. You can even use half beer and half distilled water if you like. Just remember that the beer has to be flat before it can be used. Sodium hydroxide and carbonation do not mix without causing a dangerous eruption. I also like to lower the alcohol content in the beer, so I have a little more time to work with my soap. It still wants to move fast, though.

My method of boiling and freezing is just my favorite way to prepare the beer. There are others who leave the beer in the fridge, boil then refrigerate, or boil then freeze, like me. Here are some great links you might find helpful:

Bramble Beer Soap – http://goo.gl/KZGP9i
Soap Recipes 101 – http://goo.gl/s1ZXar – leaves beer in fridge (doesn’t boil)
Good Earth Spa Video – http://goo.gl/ASGdMi
Lovin’ Soap – http://goo.gl/sFPqvj – has a list of great tips from other soap makers
Amy Warden – Pumpkin Lager Video – http://goo.gl/1kw34r

If you do decide to leave the beer opened for several days, be sure to keep it in the fridge. It will start to mold at some point if left out at room temperature.

VIDEO

RECIPE
Olive Oil – 38%
Coconut Oil – 25%
Shea Butter – 15%
Sunflower Oil – High Oleic – 6%
Castor Oil – 6%
Cocoa Butter – 5%
Avocado Oil – 5%

Superfat – 6%

Lye & Water – use a soap calculator like the one at Majestic Mtn Sage (http://goo.gl/7hH5Vw). I actually use Soap Maker 3 for my business and love it (http://www.soapmaker.ca/).

I used a 33% lye solution (water = 2 x lye).
If you don’t want to discount your water, use a 31% lye solution (water = 2.2 x lye).

After preparing the beer, if you’re short on the amount of liquid required, just add distilled water to make up the difference.

Kaolin Clay – 2 teaspoons per pound of oil in recipe
Colloidal Oatmeal – 1 Tbsp per pound of oils in recipe
Cocoa Powder – 1/2 teaspoon per cup of soap

Essential Oils: (I used the minimum recommended for a light scent. You can always check with your supplier about the usage rates.)

Clove Bud – 3 parts
Sweet Orange – 2 parts
Litsea Cubeba – 1 part
Cinnamon Leaf – 0.5 parts

Here’s a great post by Modern Soapmaking on calculating essential oil usage rates & following IFRA standards: http://goo.gl/ef9ZMw

      

Thank you for reading my post!