Topic: Weekend - January 16 to 18, 2026

[Bryan]

Quincy and I took the Baby Rolleiflex for a walk.  HP5+ developed in beer.

Quincy by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

Shrubs and Wall by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

Frog Sculpture by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

Criss Cross Trees by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

[Nigel]

Hi Bryan,

Quincy looks like a smart dog!

I've never investigated 'non-traditional' developers. Looking on Flickr, the results look great. I assume you need to add something to the beer?

[Mike (happyforest)]

Love the Frog Sculpture!

[Bryan]

Hi Bryan,

Quincy looks like a smart dog!

I've never investigated 'non-traditional' developers. Looking on Flickr, the results look great. I assume you need to add something to the beer?

He's a little too smart sometimes. 

Beerenol is like caffenol.  I use the recipe below and develop for 20 minutes.  I have found I get the best results using anhydrous sodium carbonate.  mix in the sodium carbonate first.  If you add the ascorbic acid first you will get a foam explosion. 

Beer (cheap Lager, like Pabst Blue Ribbon but most beers work) - 12oz
Sodium Carbonate - anhydrous (Arm & Hammer Washing Soda) - 2.75 Tsp
Ascorbic Acid Powder (Vitamin C) - 1.25 Tsp
Salt (Iodized Table Salt) - 1/4 Tsp

More info on my Flickr group. https://www.flickr.com/groups/3705975@N20/discuss/72157688284327140/

[Bryan]

Love the Frog Sculpture!

It's a temporary art installation on a pedestrian bridge over the Sammamish river.

[Nigel]

He's a little too smart sometimes. 

Beerenol is like caffenol.  I use the recipe below and develop for 20 minutes.  I have found I get the best results using anhydrous sodium carbonate.  mix in the sodium carbonate first.  If you add the ascorbic acid first you will get a foam explosion. 

Beer (cheap Lager, like Pabst Blue Ribbon but most beers work) - 12oz
Sodium Carbonate - anhydrous (Arm & Hammer Washing Soda) - 2.75 Tsp
Ascorbic Acid Powder (Vitamin C) - 1.25 Tsp
Salt (Iodized Table Salt) - 1/4 Tsp

More info on my Flickr group. https://www.flickr.com/groups/3705975@N20/discuss/72157688284327140/

Thanks, Bryan. That's an interesting group. I'm going to have to try that sometime. I'm in the UK, so we can certainly get cheap lager, salt and vitamin C! The anhydrous sodium carbonate I'll have to look for.

[Bryan]

He's a little too smart sometimes. 

Beerenol is like caffenol.  I use the recipe below and develop for 20 minutes.  I have found I get the best results using anhydrous sodium carbonate.  mix in the sodium carbonate first.  If you add the ascorbic acid first you will get a foam explosion. 

Beer (cheap Lager, like Pabst Blue Ribbon but most beers work) - 12oz
Sodium Carbonate - anhydrous (Arm & Hammer Washing Soda) - 2.75 Tsp
Ascorbic Acid Powder (Vitamin C) - 1.25 Tsp
Salt (Iodized Table Salt) - 1/4 Tsp

More info on my Flickr group. https://www.flickr.com/groups/3705975@N20/discuss/72157688284327140/

Thanks, Bryan. That's an interesting group. I'm going to have to try that sometime. I'm in the UK, so we can certainly get cheap lager, salt and vitamin C! The anhydrous sodium carbonate I'll have to look for.

I just get regular washing soda, spread some out about 1cm or less on a baking sheet and bake it at 250F (120C) for about 90 minutes.  Store it in an air tight container.  Make sure the salt is Iodized, that makes a difference.  I understand it can be harder to get in some places.  Very common in the US.