Warm bier.

I concur with Shanex, most every stout (Imperial, barrel aged or otherwise) taste vastly better once they hit about 55-60F.

 

Not really much of a surprise here. As a general rule, most beer tastes best between 10* below its fermentation temperature and the actual fermentation temperature.

Since Ales typically ferment between 68-72*, they naturally taste better when warmer than their Lager cousins which ferment between 45-55*. Most Lagers are designed for pure refreshment while Ales lean more toward “sip & savor”.

This equates very nicely with their counterparts in the wine world where Ale=Red and White=Lager. Most white wine deserves cooler serving temperatures while red wine flourishes at much warmer temperatures in the glass.

Note: These are not meant to be hard and fast rules about each category, but serve as a nice general guide.

 

Ugh, I really like my beer colder than most, but it works for my preferable styles too. I’m not all that adventurous, but I like what little Belgians I’ve had at around 50, same with big stouts. Everything else at 35 is about right, Pils, Ipas, AALs and such.

 

Never understood the opinion that "macro" beer should be consumed near freezing* coupled with the complaint that they're flavorless.
Well, yeah, 'cause you're drinking them too cold.
And that's not only my opinion.


* Which seldom was the recommendation of the brewers themselves, with a few obvious exceptions, but it likely those brewers are just following the preferences of their customers.

 

Why? It's brewed by accomplished brewer Seamus O'Hara at his Carlow Brewing in the Irish city of the same name -- it's the same beer as O'Hara's Irish Stout re-labeled for Aldi. Did you let the retailer fool you into thinking it was some inferior brew?

"In an interview with Seamus O'Hara, founder of Carlow Brewing, back in the late 90s I asked him why he wanted to start another Stout brewery in the shadow of Guinness Brewing. "I wanted to drink beer as I remembered it from my youth." I can only hope this beer (and O'Hara's Stout) have matched his memories because this is a terrific Irish Stout that stands alone among Guinness, Murphy's, and Beamish. You may compare Guinness' Extra Stout, but there's something bigger in the roasted barley flavor they produce at Carlow. I'm getting more of this when I see it."

 

I drink pretty much everything on the warmer side except AALs.

 

If you want to be able to taste some of the most popular flavors that go into imperial stouts or any other beer style - coffee, chocolate and maple mostly come to mind - you have to let that beer warm up to maximize those flavors. Hot peppers in any beer are just the opposite for me. I don't like that heat or flavor and will drink a beer reasonably cold to minimize those characteristics.

 

I know this is gonna sound absolutely crazy to "tickerati" * out there, but, you know, why not just not buy those beers?

(* Hey, did I just coin a new term? Prolly not, huh?)

 

I can't not not buy those beers if they are gifted to me. I'll drink them if they're free, rarely buy them if they're not not free.

 

Doesn't matter what temperature you drink this beer at, https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/23/65230/

The heat is on!!

 

Why, oh why, do I put my dark beers in the fridge to get ice cold, then take them out, pour them and then let them warm to near-room-temperature before drinking them? The madness!

 

Hmmm.....Wait. Is that from Confucius?

 

I wouldn't even chew on ice cubes made from that beer!

 

Maybe, maybe not.

 

Yes, I drink all my stouts and barleywines at cellar temp. Between 55-60. When beer is cold it hides flavor.

 

Central Waters Brewer's Reserve Rum Barrel Coconut Porter. Fresh out of the fridge, this was a boozy mishmash. I tried it again after letting it sit out for an hour or so, and the transformation was astounding. It had become rich and decadent, with the chocolate, coconut, and rum all working together. It was like a rum-filled Mounds bar. And that, my friends, is a good thing.

 

I never really drink my warm but I always most of time I drink it cold and at times I have had my beer warm at times once or twice in life.

 

My father still says how strange it is that "The Germans drink their beer warm"