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Ideal Beer-Serving Temperatures

Walking into a brewery and seeing the massive beer vessels at work is a delectable experience. Beer taps line the bar wall, and the choices from a light, to an amber, to a dark beer make contemplating the correct beer of the night a very difficult decision. My decisions are usually based on the temperature that the beer is served. An experienced brewer knows the correct temperature to serve each of the beers in order to make each sip as delectable as the last drink.

Sampling beers and savoring each sip to experience the flavors that create the quintessential glass of beer is an experience my husband and I enjoy. We have discovered that many restaurants and beer consumers refrigerate beers and serve them cold in an ice cold mug. This method is a disservice to beers because the flavors are lost and the true essence of the beverage is not discernable. Just as with a fine wine, extreme cold will conceals the beers true flavor; thus, serving beer from most domestic refrigerators is excessively cold and hinders the true beer-drinking occasion.

The best temperature to serve most beers varies according to the type of beverage. My husband and I have found that the recommended serving temperature is the best method for enjoying a beer. Whether you are dining in a brewery or serving beer from home, the following serving temperatures are recommended: light to pale golden colored lagers and wheat beers should be served straight from the refrigerator in a room temperature flute-shaped glass. The darker the beer, the less chilling is required. A dark stout needs minimal refrigerating-approximately ten to fifteen minutes in the refrigerator and then the stout is ready to be poured into a chalice-shaped glass.

For further reference, there are numerous sites that detail recommended serving temperatures for the various beers. For the individual who wishes to delight in each sip and experience the assortment of ingredients, the standard refrigeration with an ice cold mug is not a recommended method. However, serving a slightly chilled, if chilled at all, dark stout will allow the beer lover to appreciate the rich, malty flavors, which are sure to enliven the meal and the beer-drinking experience. Cheers!

Learn more about this author, Lili Melton Ph.D..
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