While most college students spend their free time drinking beer, a group of students at Rice University are experimenting with it. They’re using genetic engineering to create beer, aptly named “BioBeer,” that contains resveratrol, a chemical in red wine that’s been shown to reduce cancer and heart disease in lab animals. Resveratrol, found in the skin of red grapes, has been linked with the so-called ‘French Paradox’, a phrase used to describe the low incidence of heart disease and obesity among the French, despite their relatively high-fat diet and levels of wine consumption. More on BioBeer and even more reason to drink IPAs after the jump…To create their BioBeer, the students are attempting to genetically alter a strain of yeast so that it produces resveratrol while also fermenting beer. Ironically, most of the team’s undergrad members aren’t even old enough to legally drink beer. The team at Rice is currently working with Texas-based Saint Arnold Brewing Company to synthesize the antioxidant from the amino acid tyrosine. They do not expect the resveratrol to affect the taste of the beer since the chemical is tasteless and odorless. Resveratrol is already found in low levels in hops, the raw ingredient of beer. So while we wait for BioBeer to hit the shelves, we recommend drinking IPAs, the hoppiest of beers, to get your resveratrol. Here are some of our faves: Bear Republic Racer 5, Stone Ruination, Southern Tier Unearthly, Lagunitas Maximus, Dogfish Head 90 Minute, Green Flash West Coast and Great Divide Hercules.

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