The British Beer Myth: Warm Or Cold?

The idea that British people drink warm beer is a myth. It is believed to have originated during World War Two when American GIs stationed in Britain were surprised to find that the beer served to them was not the crisp cold lager they were used to drinking. The myth has persisted, and even though cold lager has become the UK's favourite, some people still believe that British people drink warm beer. In reality, cask beer is meant to be served cool, at around 10-13°C, which is cellar temperature, not room temperature. Lager, meanwhile, should be served colder than ale, but not so cold that you can't taste the flavour.

Ales and lagers have different optimal serving temperatures

Lagers, on the other hand, are meant to be served colder than ales, typically between 7-10°C. This temperature range allows the hop aromas and delicate malt and citrus flavours of a good-quality pilsner to be at their peak. Serving lagers too warm can cause unpleasant aftertastes, which is why mega-brewers tend to serve their lagers extra cold. However, serving lagers too cold can also make the beer less flavourful.

The myth that Brits drink warm beer likely stems from American GIs stationed in Britain during World War II, who were used to drinking crisp cold lager. In contrast, the British drank cask beer, which is served at a higher temperature than lager. This temperature difference led to the misconception that Brits drink warm beer.

Ales are best served at cellar temperature

Serving ales at this temperature allows the richness and complexity of the beer to come to the fore. The hop aromas and delicate malt and citrus flavours of a good quality pilsner, for example, perform at their peak when served between 7-10°C. Any colder and the beer may be more immediately "refreshing", but those appealing characteristics start to disappear.

The myth that Brits drink warm beer is believed to have originated during the Second World War when American GIs stationed in Britain were disgruntled to find that the beer on offer was not the crisp cold lager they were used to, but rather the less chilly cask beer popular locally.

While lager is now the UK's favourite, cellar temperature is still the best way to enjoy a traditional ale.

The myth of British people drinking warm beer originated during World War II

The myth of British people drinking warm beer is just that: a myth. It is believed to have originated during World War II when American GIs stationed in Britain were disappointed to find that the beer they were served was not the crisp, cold lager they were used to back home, but rather the less chilly cask beer popular locally. The GIs' tales of Brits drinking warm beer were likely meant as a humorous exaggeration, but their friends and family back home seemed to have taken these stories at face value, and the myth was born.

Of course, British people do not actually drink warm beer. Cask beer, which is traditionally kept in a cellar, is meant to be served cool and refreshing, not warm or even tepid. Its recommended serving temperature is between 10-13°C (stouts are ideally served at 14-15°C), which is cool enough to be refreshing on a hot day without numbing your taste buds. This is not room temperature, as some believe, but rather cellar temperature. Lager, on the other hand, is served colder than ale, usually between 7-10°C, though some believe that serving it too cold also undermines the drinking experience by making it difficult to taste the flavour.

The myth of British people drinking warm beer has proven surprisingly persistent, and even though cold lager has long since become the UK's favourite, some people still believe that Brits reach for a "warm one" on a hot summer's day. This may be because the UK has also embraced the trend for extra-cold beers, with several brands releasing "extra cold" versions of their products. Ironically, these extra-cold beers include ales, the original inspiration for the warm beer myth, which are spoiled by near-freezing temperatures.

The optimal serving temperature for lager is between 7-10°C

Lager is a style of beer that was originally stored in caves or cellars to complete its fermentation. The word "lager" comes from the practice of storing the beer in this way, which is known as "lagering".

While the British are known for drinking their beer "warm", this is largely a myth that originated during the Second World War when American GIs stationed in Britain were surprised to find that the beer served was not the crisp, cold lager they were used to. British beer, particularly cask beer, is typically served at cellar temperature, which is between 10-13°C for ales and around 14-15°C for stouts. This allows the richness and complexity of the beer to come through and is actually considered refreshing, especially on a hot summer's day.

However, it is worth noting that the serving temperature of beer is a matter of preference and can vary depending on the style of beer and the individual drinker's taste. Some people prefer their beer ice-cold, while others may enjoy it at room temperature. Ultimately, the optimal serving temperature for lager is a range that takes into account both flavour and refreshment.

Ales are spoilt by near-freezing temperatures

The idea that British people drink warm beer is a myth that is believed to have originated during World War II when American GIs stationed in Britain were surprised to find that the beer they were served was not the crisp, cold lager they were used to. This myth has persisted, and many people still believe that British people drink warm beer. However, this is not the case.

While British people do not drink warm beer, there is a difference in the serving temperature of beer between the UK and the US. In the US, it is common to serve beer at near-freezing temperatures. This practice is believed to have been started by mega brewers who wanted to hide the lack of flavour in their beer. While this may make the beer more immediately refreshing, it also causes the appealing characteristics of the beer, such as hop aromas and delicate malt and citrus flavours, to disappear.

Ales, in particular, are spoilt by being served at near-freezing temperatures. Ales are meant to be served at cellar temperature, which is typically between 10-13°C (stouts are served at 14-15°C). Serving ales at this temperature allows the richness and complexity of the beer to come to the fore.

Some people may prefer their beer to be served colder, especially in hot weather. However, serving beer at too low a temperature can undermine the drinking experience by numbing the taste buds and making it difficult to taste the flavour of the beer.

While it is a myth that British people drink warm beer, there is a trend towards serving beer at colder temperatures in the UK, similar to the US. Some British beer brands have even released 'extra cold' versions of their products. However, this practice is generally considered to detract from the flavour of the beer, especially for ales, which are meant to be served at a slightly higher temperature.

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