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Beer serving temperature is an often overlooked matter for discussion. Most of us simply refrigerate until needed, then remove the beer directly, pour it, and drink it. Amongst connoisseurs, however, it is a much more considered matter.

To serve a good quality bottled beer directly out of the refrigerator can be doing some beers a great disservice, especially if they are of the darker variety. While the average refrigerator is of a temperature of 7C/45F, many beers require something a little less chilled.

Although the temperature of serving beer can vary somewhat from culture to culture, there are some general guidelines. It is recommended that for the strongest of the dark ales, like the Belgian trappist beers, that they not even be refrigerated, and that they should be served at room temperature. This will allow you to appreciate their full array of flavors. Sliding back from that extreme, stouts, and most regular ales, are recommended to be served at approximately 13C/55F. To achieve this temperature, you'd only want to refrigerate these beers for approximately 10-15 minutes before serving. This will allow you to taste their initial crisp bitter bite as well as to appreciate their overall body and mouthtaste. For the darker lagers and wheat beers, it is recommended that you serve them at 9C/48F which would mean refrigerating them for about 20 minutes before serving. You'd increase the time for the lighter wheat beers by another 5-10 minutes to get them at their optimal temperature of 8C/48F. For the pale lagers, including the pilsners, it is a matter of serving them straight from the fridge as their optimal temperature is 7C/45F. This will allow them to provide for you their desired crispness and refreshing effervescence and bite.

So, although there are no hard and fast rules as to the temperature you should drink your beer at, there are some good guidelines to follow if you wish to get the most out of your brew. Happy drinking!

Learn more about this author, Chris Pavey.
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