Australians And Their Preference For Warm Beer

Beer is a big deal in Australia. It is one of the most popular alcoholic drinks in the country, with wine only being more popular among casual drinkers. When Australians drink beer, they typically drink it cold, with most bottled beers served at around 4–6 degrees Celsius. However, some beer enthusiasts argue that drinking beer warm—or at least slightly warmer than it typically is—can enhance the drinking experience by allowing drinkers to more accurately experience the beer's subtleties, such as its aromatics and flavour.

Australians prefer their beer cold

However, some Australians are experimenting with drinking beer at slightly warmer temperatures, particularly when critiquing a beer to allow for a more accurate experience of the beer's subtleties. Shayne Dixon, co-owner of Melbourne's BeerMash, suggests that drinking beer at a milder temperature allows drinkers to "get more from it". He recommends that darker beers, such as stouts and dark ales, are given time outside the fridge, as the colder temperatures can mask the aromatics.

Despite this, the general preference in Australia is for cold beer, and this is reflected in the average serving temperature of bottled beers, which is around 4–6 degrees Celsius. This is in contrast to the British tradition of drinking "warm" beer, which is typically served at ambient cellar temperature, around 12 degrees Celsius.

In Australia, the preference for cold beer is so strong that many pubs serve draught lagers on tap at freezing temperatures, causing the fonts and taps to freeze up. While there may be a place for slightly warmer beer, the Australian drinking culture is firmly rooted in the belief that beer should be served icy cold.

Beer served warm allows drinkers to experience its subtleties

Firstly, drinking beer at a milder temperature allows drinkers to more accurately experience the beer's nuances and aromatics. Shayne Dixon, co-owner of Melbourne's BeerMash, asserts that drinking beer at the right temperature ensures that you don't miss out on certain flavours or get the wrong impression. He suggests that beers with darker malts, such as stouts or dark English-style ales, are best served slightly warmer to enhance their flavour and aroma.

Additionally, beers with higher alcohol content are also better suited to being served at warmer temperatures. Dixon provides a simple rule of thumb: the higher the alcohol content, the warmer the serving temperature. For example, barley wines, a high-alcohol beer style, are ideally served around 12–13 degrees Celsius.

It's worth noting that "warm" in this context doesn't mean room temperature or heated. Instead, it refers to a temperature that is slightly warmer compared to the typical serving temperature of lagers, which are often served straight from the fridge or on ice.

Experimenting with beer temperatures can be a fun way to explore and appreciate the diverse styles and varieties of beer available today. By letting a beer sit for a few minutes before drinking, you may discover new flavours and aromas that were previously hidden by the cold temperature.

However, it's also important to consider personal preference. Some people may still prefer their beer served ice-cold, especially during hot summer days or when seeking a refreshing drinking experience. Ultimately, the ideal serving temperature may vary depending on the type of beer, the climate, and individual taste.

Beer served warm is not the same temperature as a room

It's a common misconception that beer served "warm" is at room temperature. In reality, the ideal serving temperature for beer is much cooler than that.

When people refer to serving beer "warm", they typically mean allowing it to warm to a temperature slightly above refrigerator-cold. This is done to enhance the drinking experience by bringing out the beer's subtleties, aromatics, and flavour. Shayne Dixon, co-owner of Melbourne bottle shop, bar and beer "tasting room" BeerMash, recommends letting beer warm up slightly before drinking, especially darker beers such as stouts or dark English-style ales.

Beer served "warm" is typically in the range of 12-13 degrees Celsius, which is still significantly cooler than room temperature. This temperature is said to be ideal for experiencing the full range of flavours and aromatics in a beer, particularly in stronger beers such as barley wines and ales.

It's worth noting that the ideal serving temperature for beer can vary depending on the style and alcohol content. As a general rule, higher alcohol content beers are better suited to being served at warmer temperatures. Additionally, commercial lagers are often served extremely cold, sometimes even freezing the taps and fonts, which can mask the flavour and aromatics of the beer.

So, while Australians typically prefer their beer icy cold, there is value in experimenting with slightly warmer serving temperatures to fully appreciate the nuances of different beers.

Beer with higher alcohol content is best served slightly warmer

While it is a common perception that beer is best served ice-cold, this is not always the case. Beer with higher alcohol content is best served slightly warmer, at around 55–60°F (13–16°C). This temperature range is considered "cellar temperature" and is ideal for beers with higher ABVs and full-bodied flavours. Serving these beers warmer unlocks their complex flavour profiles and encourages a more relaxed sipping pace.

A warmer serving temperature allows the foam on top of the beer to last longer, enhancing the drinking experience as the aroma is continuously released from the tiny bubbles. This is particularly important for beers with complex aromas, such as Belgian ales, which are best served at 50–55°F (10–13°C). At this temperature, the rich, sweet, and fruity notes of these beers can truly shine.

Imperial stouts, with their high ABV and rich, roasted malt flavours, are another style that benefits from being served at a warmer temperature. At 55–60°F (13–16°C), the spectrum of flavours, including cocoa, coffee, burnt toast, and dark caramel, can be fully appreciated. Serving these beers too cold mutes their unique characteristics, doing a disservice to the brewers' craftsmanship.

While mass-market light lagers are often served ice-cold to enhance their limited flavour profiles, craft beers and European beers with higher alcohol and flavour content are better appreciated when served slightly warmer. This allows the drinker to fully experience the complex flavours and aromas that the brewers have carefully crafted. So, the next time you're reaching for a beer, consider letting it warm up just a bit before popping it open!

Of course, personal preference always plays a role in how one enjoys their beverage. Some people prefer their red wine chilled, and others might like their lager on the warmer side. Ultimately, it's all about finding what works best for your taste buds and enjoying your drink the way you like it!

Beer served warm is not the same as beer served at ambient temperature

In Australia, beer is typically served cold, straight from the fridge, or even colder. However, drinking beer at a warmer temperature does not mean putting it in the microwave or setting your heating to warm. Instead, it simply means allowing the beer to warm up slightly from fridge temperature.

Beer served at ambient temperature is not the same as warm beer. The misconception about 'warm' beer in the UK, for example, refers to 'real ale', which is a tap beer pumped from a cask. The cask itself is stored at an ambient, cellar-like temperature of around 12 degrees celsius, which is the ideal temperature for serving red wine or port. At this temperature, the aromatics of the beer are allowed to shine through.

Drinking beer at a slightly warmer temperature is particularly suited to beers with darker malts, such as stouts or dark English-style ales. A milder temperature allows drinkers to more accurately experience the beer's subtleties and enhances its flavour. Higher alcohol-content styles, such as barley wines, are also better served slightly warmer.

In Australia, most bottled beers are served at around 4–6 degrees Celsius, but some draught lagers are served so cold that the fonts and taps freeze up. While this can be refreshing, it can also mask the flavour and aroma of the beer.

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