Nothing better than an ice cold beer, right? WRONG...?!
Nothing better than an ice cold beer, right? WRONG...?
Why do so many people believe this myth? I know it supposedly started with the major beer companies wanting to mask the taste of their beers, but why is it so popular? While, there is no absolute correct answer as to what temp to serve beer at... Most beer geeks know that you don't want it ice cold or in a frosty mug.
Additional Details1 day ago
Joe, I know many people that come home to an nice cold (not ice cold) import or micobrew. I'm one of them.
Answers:
Nothing better than an ice-cold beer, right? WRONG...?
I think that the reason there is no absolut correct temperature to serve a beer is do to tastes and preference.
I still say it is a matter of taste. And when on a hot day in much the way Joe said, a cold or ice cold lighter beer really hits the spot. They are light flavored and satiating. I strongly disagree that it is to mask flavors. But at the same time I must agree that this does occur as the taste buds have a bit of cold shock which prevents tasting the food/beverage to some degree. We drink soda, water, and other beverages the same way.
Origin? I think you are corect {Sir} it is the marketing of the brewers/large brewers. And it is tied to the invention of refrigeration.
Back in-the-day beer was warm due to the fact we had no refer. Even the cold brewerd Pils were served warm. The first commercial refers were utilized by establishments such as bars due to their expense. Brewers ceased upon this and marketed the idea of cold beer. And when technology converged packaging (cans, bottles) with home refegeration the cold beer craze hit. The brewers ceased upon this and marketed the idea of cold beer at home/entertaing etc. It was a bit of a status symbol to have a refer. {We Americans really take things to the extreme}
Ales &Lagers & Temperature
Ales are fermented at about 55F and lagers about 45F with some variation. And so we tend to associate drinking the beers at these temperatures.
I think it is marketing, status, and preference that contribute to the myth the ice cold beer is best.
Enjoy