Munchies: "You Should Stop Drinking Ice-Cold Beer"

I think we all can agree that beer (any beer, any style) changes taste (and taste's sidekick - aroma) as it warms from near "ice cold" to USA "room temperature" (i.e. lower 70's). This applies to everything from Miller Lite to Bourbon County Brand Coffee Stout.

I think we can also all agree that personal preferences differ.

Why, then, is it so hard to believe that someone might prefer their IPAs and stouts cold without them being denigrated as an unwashed cretin?

 

i probably should care more about this, but I dont. reason being, that my taste buds find a more delectable experience from hoppy brews at 34-35 degrees Fahrenheit than it does from hoppy brews at a higher temperature. it's not like I havent tried IPAs at warmer temperatures, i just always prefer my beers to be very cold. it's what my brain and tastebuds prefer, not trying to disrespect any brewery's suggestions, but that's really all they are: SUGGESTIONS, not rules.

Regardless of preference, I think these brewing companies would rather us drink their brews at "incorrect" temperatures than not at all, amiright?!

 

Because human beings have this thing where once they find something they believe to be better, or a better way of doing things, they want others to do the same, as a sort of reinforcement of them being right, and when people don't do it that way, it's taken subconsciously as if they might be wrong, and people really don't like to be wrong.


At least this is what I came up with when I think about things like this, for example I like my steak rare to med rare, my brother always liked his well done, it bothered the hell outta me for years when I was younger and I used to always tell him he was ruining a good steak, etc. When I later thought about why this always bothered me so much even though it didn't affect me at all, I came up with the theory that on some level, his preference must make me feel like I might be wrong in my preferences, so I became defensive and attacked his choice.

Same exact thing with beer temps, and beer brand preferences, BMC drinkers must threaten our beliefs in better beer, so we act hostile toward them, when in reality its just what they like to drink, and nothing more.


Just my dumb theories I came up with. ..

 

Yes, and since most of us don't slam these beers in 30 seconds, the temperature will change. My position on IPAs is that while 42 might be better than 36, 36 is better than 54. I can't stand a warm IPA, it tastes like bath water mixed with cat piss. So I'd rather those first few sips would be a bit too cool, than the last few too warm...I'll dump any IPA that gets warm. Same with any pale beer really.

 

I wouldn't say the warmer the better is the case for me, but definitely, stouts and barleywines (and quads and strong ales) are best about 10 degrees warmer than pale beers for me. From your piece, I don't get the sense that the brewers really disagree. I do get layers of flavors from some of these modern IPAs, but the more traditional ones, not so much. As such, a Treehouse Julius or HF Abner is better a few degrees above what I'd want with a Harpoon or Stone IPA.

 

Bahaha hahaha!

 

Agreed. I like to go with what I call the 15-20 rule. I always let my beer I plan on drinking sit out a mere 15-20 minutes to ensure it's not ice box cold. Nor do I ever use frosted mugs. What is this world coming to.

 

No frosted glass for me. An iced down cooler full of Nooner on a hot summer day... nothing better. All other craft, let it warm up from 40°F which slows me down, so that's a good thing. I used to cringe at the thought of an ipa or stout warmer than 40...now I love it.

 

Haven't Burned but twice this year.....and I'm saving lots of wood and loving it.
My room temp ranges from 64- 68......amen brother!

 

Yeah I prefer this method. That way I can taste the beer in its "ideal range" longer. I can also see how it changes as it warms up.

 

Thanks for the tip!!! I woulda squandered it!! Warmer it is then!

 

Also, if I'm at the bar I wont hesitate to wait til they take a rack of glasses from the dishwasher and ask that my stout go into one of the warm ones.. I tip well and I'm not that big of a pri** for asking

 

I prefer 38F for ale yeast, drink about half and then let it get ~10 degrees warmer. Stouts, especially barrel aged generally taste better slightly chilled to room temp.

Cold beer is actually a luxury after drinking hot beer in China. Everyone drinks Tsingtao Lager at 68-70F. You get used to it after a while, but again, drinking it cold is just more of a luxury than anything.

 

60 , I'd hate to pay your summer bill, the AC costs would be out the ass.

 

I have a small electric heater in my infant's room. The rest of my house is fine with 66-67.

 

y'all need to be patient and just order your beer in a non frosted mug (and really the amount of condensation "watering down the beer is pretty insignificant anyways") or just wait a bit for it to warm up. A glass of beer will warm from near freezing to cellar temp in about 7-10 min depending on the heat. Order a second beer ahead of time to warm up if its a huge deal for you. Ask for the beer mug to be rinsed in warm water if you want. some beers do taste better cold depending on the flavor your looking for. Milk stouts for instance will taste great cold but slightly sour when warm.

 

so many rules and regulations, just shut your pie hole and drink the damn thing!

 

Air conditioning? What is that some newfangled invention?