About
FREE BEER
Free Beer is a beer which is free as in “free speech,” not in the sense of “free beer.” The name plays on a well-known quote by the free software activist Richard Stallman: “‘Free software’ is a matter of liberty, not price.” Free Beer aims to create a counter-system to copyright, which is a regulative system of law and metaphorical rights.
Originally named Vores Øl (Our Beer), the beer was conceived in 2004 by SUPERFLEX and students from the Copenhagen IT University. The project applies modern free and open-source methods to a traditional real-world product. The recipe and branding elements of Free Beer are published under a Creative Commons (Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5) license, granting anyone the right to use the recipe and logo, or to create a derivative of the recipe and name. The initial version of Free Beer is based on classic ale brewing traditions, but with added guaraná for a natural energy boost.
Free Beer has been brewed in breweries, workshops and kitchens worldwide, with and without SUPERFLEX’s participation, including in Taipei, Sao Paolo, Los Angeles, Munich, Knoxville, Lausanne, Cornwall, Bolzano and Auckland.
More information: https://superflex.net/works/free_beer
What others have said about FREE BEER:
“As everyone knows free beer will make you drink more and get drunk. When you get drunk you will speak more freely. So it will be free speach by free beer.”
Slashdot comment
“The recipe and brand of their beer is published under a Creative Commons license, which means anyone can use the recipe for pleasure or profit.The only catch: If you make money selling their unique beer, you have to give them credit and publish any changes you make to the recipe under a similar license”.
Wired News: Free Beer for Geeks
“Its free as in Free beer, but not as in free beer.
Shame. *hic*”.
Slashdot comment
“When you hear the words open source most people think of computer software programs like Linux. It’s a model where the original “source code” can be modified and improved at no cost…and it’s shared among users for free. Well now beer is free too”.
CBC Radio interviews Rasmus Nielsen from Superflex – listen here (Real media)
“Free Beer is one thing..
Trusting the Danish for your free beer is quite another
*ducks*”
Slashdot comment
“The Danes love their beer, but increasingly they are looking beyond the old Danish standby, Carlsberg, to quench their thirst”.
BBC News: ‘Free’ Danish beer makes a splash.
“mmmmmm danishhhhh ….. beer? danishhhhhhh …. mmmm ..beerrrr…… danish? …..that would confuse the fuck out of homer simpson!”
Slashdot comment.