Ice-Cold Beer: Enhancing Or Ruining Your Drinking Experience?

Whether or not to drink beer with ice is a hotly debated topic. While some people swear by it, others consider it a crime against humanity. Drinking beer with ice is a common practice in Southeast Asia, particularly in Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Cayman Islands. The addition of ice helps to keep the drink cool in hot weather and can also take the edge off a strong-tasting beer. However, others argue that ice waters down the beer, altering its intended taste.

Beer on ice in hot climates

Beer on ice is a divisive practice, but in hot climates, it can be a necessity. In hot countries, such as Vietnam, it is common to add ice to beer to keep the drink cool and fresh. This is especially true in areas with a lack of refrigeration.

However, adding ice to beer can dilute the flavour, texture and aroma of the drink. Beer is already mostly water, so adding ice waters it down and destroys the intended taste. This is particularly true of craft beers, which have specific flavour profiles and mouthfeels.

Despite this, some people enjoy the milder taste of ice-cold beer. It can be a refreshing way to drink beer in hot weather, and it is a good way to make cheap or low-quality beer more palatable. Beers that are lighter in flavour, lower in alcohol content, and less robust are better suited to being served over ice. This includes commercial American beers like Budweiser, Miller Lite, and Coors, as well as lighter Asian beers like Asahi, Sapporo, and Singha.

If you want to try beer on ice, it is recommended to pop your glass in the freezer for 15-20 minutes before pouring your ice-cold beer into it.

How to cool beer without ice

While some people enjoy drinking beer with ice, especially in hot climates, it is a divisive practice. Adding ice to beer waters it down, affecting its flavour, carbonation, and mouthfeel.

If you want to cool your beer without ice, here are some methods you can try:

Using Water

This is one of the fastest ways to cool your beer, and you can do it indoors or outdoors. Simply submerge the beer container in cold water. If the water is icy, you can cool a beer from room temperature to "party cold" within five minutes. If you're outdoors, you can submerge the beers in a natural water source like a river, lake, or ocean, securing them so they don't sink or drift away. You can also fill a bucket, bathtub, or cooler with cold water and ice, and place your beers in this solution, stirring them for 2-5 minutes. Adding salt to the water will lower its freezing temperature, allowing it to get colder without turning into ice.

Evaporative Cooling

This method involves using two clay pots, one larger than the other, and sand. Plug the bottom of each pot with clay, putty, or cork. Fill the bottom of the larger pot with an inch of sand and place the smaller pot inside. Fill the space between the two pots with sand and dampen it with icy-cold water. Place your beers inside and cover the top of the pot with a cold, wet towel. As the water evaporates, it will cool the inside of the container.

Burying Beers

Find a spot of cool, moist earth, preferably in the shade near a body of water. Dig a hole large enough for the beer container and bury it up to the cap or lid. The deeper the hole, the cooler the beer will be.

Other Methods

• Wrap the beer in a wet sock or cloth and set it outside in a windy area.
• Submerge the beer in a nearby body of water, anchoring it with a heavy object so it doesn't float away.
• Wrap the beer in a wet paper towel, napkin, or newspaper and leave it in a shady spot for 20-30 minutes.

Why ice in beer is controversial

Adding ice to beer is a controversial topic, with some people advocating for it and others vehemently opposed to the idea. Here are some reasons why this practice is so divisive:

Taste and Flavour

One of the primary concerns about adding ice to beer is its potential impact on taste and flavour. Beer is a delicately balanced beverage, with a specific alcohol-to-water ratio, and adding ice introduces more water, altering the intended flavour. The dilution can be especially noticeable in beers with less concentrated flavours and lower alcohol content. However, some people argue that ice can make bitter beers more palatable and refreshing, particularly in hot climates.

Drinking Culture and Tradition

The practice of adding ice to beer is more common in certain parts of the world, such as Southeast Asia and Vietnam, where it is a typical way of drinking beer. In these regions, ice helps keep the beer cool and makes it easier to drink, especially in warm weather. However, in other parts of the world, such as the UK and Ireland, adding ice to beer is frowned upon and considered unacceptable. This disparity in drinking cultures contributes to the controversy surrounding ice in beer.

Carbonation and Texture

Adding ice to beer can also affect the carbonation and texture of the beverage. As the ice melts, it releases water that dilutes the beer and reduces carbonation, resulting in a loss of mouthfeel and the head on the beer. This disruption to the carbonation and texture is undesirable for those who appreciate the full flavour and sensory experience of beer.

Intended Serving Temperature

Beer experts recommend serving beer chilled but not ice-cold, as extremely low temperatures can freeze taste buds and hide the true flavours and aromas of the beverage. Adding ice to beer further reduces the temperature, potentially impacting the taste and preventing the beer from opening up properly. However, some people argue that ice-cold beers can be more refreshing, especially in hot climates or during outdoor activities.

Alcohol Content and Drinking Pace

In some drinking cultures, adding ice to beer is seen as a way to stretch the drinking session and stay in the game longer. By diluting the beer, drinkers can consume smaller quantities of alcohol while still feeling like they are drinking a lot. This practice allows them to pace themselves and stay safe, especially when they need to drive home after the party. However, for those drinking beer specifically for its alcoholic content, adding ice may be seen as counterproductive.

In conclusion, the controversy surrounding ice in beer stems from differing cultural norms, taste preferences, and the impact of ice on the flavour, texture, and serving temperature of the beverage. While some people appreciate the refreshing quality of ice-cold beer, others prioritise the intended flavour and sensory experience. Ultimately, the decision to add ice to beer remains a personal preference, with valid arguments on both sides of the debate.

Ice in beer in Vietnam

In Vietnam, it is common to be served a glass of ice with your beer. In fact, a survey of 682 beer drinkers in the country found that 75% of them regularly include ice cubes in their beer.

There are several reasons why the Vietnamese may opt to put ice in their beer. Firstly, Vietnam has a tropical climate with temperatures ranging from 25 to 40°C, so ice helps to keep the beer cool and fresh. This is particularly important for street bars that don't have coolers or fridges to keep their beer chilled.

Secondly, ice can make beer easier to drink by reducing its bitterness, especially in hot weather. It can also dilute the alcohol content, allowing people to drink smaller quantities and stay sober for longer. This is useful in a culture where drinking is often a social activity, and people cheer and drink together.

Additionally, some people believe that ice makes the beer taste better, in a similar way to adding sugar to coffee. It's also a matter of habit and drinking culture; many people in Vietnam are used to having ice in their drinks, such as iced coffee, tea, and sugarcane juice.

However, some people may avoid putting ice in their beer due to sanitary concerns or to preserve the original taste. Craft beers with specific flavours and mouthfeels are also best enjoyed without ice, as it can dilute the flavour and affect the carbonation.

Beer cocktails with ice

While some people may turn their noses up at the idea of drinking beer with ice, it is common in certain parts of the world, such as Southeast Asia and Latin America, especially in hot climates where refrigeration is scarce. The addition of ice to beer may dilute the flavour, but it can also make it more refreshing, particularly on a hot day.

If you want to try beer with ice, it is recommended to use lighter beers with less concentrated flavour and lower alcohol content, such as commercial American brews like Budweiser, Miller Lite, and Coors, or Asian beers like Asahi, Sapporo, and Singha. Mexican beers like Corona, Modelo, or Pacifico will also work well over ice as they have lower malt and hops that won't overwhelm the cocktail.

You can also create beer cocktails with ice, such as the Michelada, a popular Mexican beer cocktail that's similar to a Bloody Mary or Caesar but uses beer instead of liquor. The carbonation from the beer makes it a better hangover cure than a Bloody Mary. Some people make Micheladas with tomato juice, hot sauce, spices, and lime, while others skip the tomato juice. Here's a recipe for a Michelada:

Ingredients:

• Mexican lager beer
• Lime juice
• Salsa juice or tomato juice
• Worcestershire sauce
• Hot sauce
• Ice

Another beer cocktail option is the lagerita, which is a margarita made with beer. You can also add tequila if you like. This cocktail lightens a traditional margarita but keeps it tasting interesting, not watered down. Here's a recipe for a lagerita:

Ingredients:

• Tequila
• Cointreau
• Lime juice
• Light Mexican beer (such as Corona, Modelo, or Pacifico)
• Ice

If you're looking for more creative drinks, you can also try a Posh Ginger Shandy, a Raspberry Beer Mojito, or a Spaghet, which is built right in a beer bottle and plays on an Aperol spritz.

Frequently asked questions