How to Make Beer Candles

It's a foamy beer candle!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Yellow/gold Dye Chips
• Candle Dyes
• Candle Wax With Low Melting Point
• Candle Wicks
• Wick Tabs
• Coffee Cans
• Cornstarches
• Beer Glasses Or Mug
• Candy Thermometer
• Drinking Straws Or Pencil
• Saucepans
• Wire Whisks
• Saucepans

1. Measure the wick 3 inches longer than the distance from the bottom of the glass to the top of the glass.

2. Roll the wick around a pencil or drinking straw and lay it across the top of the glass with the tabbed end centered at the bottom. Set this aside until the wax is poured.

3. Break wax into chunks and estimate how much you will need to fill the glass. Too much is always better than not enough.

4. Make a double boiler by putting about an inch of water in a saucepan. Set a large, clean can upright in the water.

5. Set the heat to high and melt the wax in the can. Monitor the temperature with a candy thermometer.

6. Set aside a cup or so of clear wax.

7. Add dye chips until you have a good beer color. Yellow and gold work well. Use green for Saint Patrick's Day.

8. Pour the beer-colored wax into the glass when the temperature reaches 165 degrees F.

9. Leave room in the glass for the foam - about an inch is plenty.

10. Set the beer candle in the refrigerator while you make the foam topping.

11. Put the clear wax into a bowl with ½ tsp. cornstarch. Let it cool until a skin forms on top.

12. Whip the wax with a wire whisk until it's foamy looking.

13. Use a fork to put the whipped wax on top of the beer candle. Form it with your hands.

14. Let the wax cool completely.

Tips & Warnings

• Hot wax is usually a more intense color than when it's cooled. Drip a few drops of hot wax on a white piece of paper and stick it in the freezer for a quick color preview.
• Paraffin wax is a petroleum by-product that contains oil. The lower the melting temperature, the more oil content. You'll want low-melting-point wax for container candles such as this, because it will shrink less as it cools.
• Don't microwave wax. It will splatter and can catch fire. It will also fade the colors.