What is a cold beer?
For many years I believed that beer should be served cold and in my eyes that meant in a beer fridge set at 3°C. Why, because I always kept my beer in our kitchen fridge at home like most people around the world do and your typical domestic fridge setting is 3°C.
There is also nothing better than a cold beer, after a day working in the sun right? But what is cold. If I was to go outside on a winters day and the thermometer is 13°C, to me that’s cold. But would I drink a beer at that temperature?
Beer serving temperature.
I have been brewing beer for almost a decade an in that time I have come to appreciate the flavour of beer more and more, especially with acceleration of craft beer in New Zealand and it’s big hoppy aromas and flavour. The one thing I have learnt is that a beer consumed at 3°C versus one at 7 or 8°C has a very different flavour. It’s like when you get served a hot coffee and all the flavour is missing, but you get one with that perfect temperature and it’s the best coffee you have ever had.
Beer serving temperatures range from 1 – 15°C depending on the style of beer you are drinking. Generally speaking Lagers can sit between 1 – 7°C and Ales up to 15°C. The table below gives you an idea as to where your favourite style sits.
The next time you buy your favourite brew do the taste test. Leave one out of the fridge for up to an hour and then do a flavour comparison with one straight from the fridge. The results may surprise you!