There was occasional discussion among astronauts about enjoying a drink during their meals in space. However, beer was deemed unsuitable for consumption since carbonation bubbles do not rise in a zero-gravity environment, leading only to a frothy mess. According to Bourland, Coca-Cola invested significantly in creating a zero-gravity beverage dispenser but faced challenges related to human biology, which rendered the effort unfeasible.
Moreover, due to the absence of gravity, astronauts experienced difficulties when trying to burp, as the bubbles that typically rise in a normal stomach remained trapped. Bourland explains that this often led to unexpected liquid spillage when burping, making the consumption of carbonated drinks problematic in space. This insight highlights the unique challenges of dining in a microgravity setting.