Brewing beer from recycled sewage water

PORTLAND, Oregon (WPVI) -- The state of Oregon has OK'd what sounds like a far-fetched idea - making beer from sewage water.

It came out of a contest sponsored by the operator of four wastewater treatment plants near Portland.

They wanted to show off a new water purification system, highlighting creative uses for the H2O.

A home brewer's club called the Brew Crew tried it - and liked it!

Brew Crew club president Lee Hedgmon says, "Tastes like beer. Tastes exactly like beer, when it was finished. The water itself takes just like distilled water."

The Brew Crew will make small batches to demonstrate the process, with state officials testing it before anyone chugs a glass.