Warm Beer: A Cultural Preference Or Climate Influence?

Drinking warm beer is a topic that has sparked curiosity and confusion, with some sources claiming that certain countries, particularly in Europe, prefer their beer warm. However, the notion of Europeans drinking warm beer is largely a myth, stemming from a difference in perspective between Americans and Europeans regarding the ideal serving temperature for beer.

In reality, Europeans, including those in countries like England, Germany, and Belgium, typically drink beer at cellar temperature, which is slightly colder than room temperature, ranging from 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is believed to bring out the richness and flavor of the beer, and it is worth noting that different beer styles, such as ales and lagers, are served at slightly different temperatures.

While it is uncommon for Europeans to drink beer that is actually warm, there are certain occasions where Central Europeans may intentionally warm their beer. In the past, beer was often consumed warm due to the lack of modern refrigeration and temperature control systems. Additionally, in certain regions of Central Europe, such as Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic, it is traditional to serve hot spiced beer during the winter months. This practice involves warming the beer with spices like cinnamon and serving it in heavy glass mugs to retain warmth.

In summary, while the idea of drinking warm beer may seem unusual to some, it is important to understand that the term warm can be subjective and that cultural and historical factors influence beer consumption habits across the globe.

Why do some countries drink warm beer?

The practice of drinking warm beer is more common in some countries than in others. While it is often assumed that people in England drink warm beer, this is not entirely true. While it is true that real ale is served at room temperature and not chilled, English beer is not served warm. It is also possible to get ice for cocktails in England.

In Central Europe, beer is also served at warmer temperatures than in North America. In the past, beer was served at a warmer temperature than it is today. A textbook for waiters and bartenders from the early 20th century recommended serving pale beers at 9 to 11 degrees Celsius (48 to 52 degrees Fahrenheit) and dark beers at 11 to 13 degrees Celsius (52 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit) in the summertime. These temperatures could be raised by 2 degrees in the winter.

In Germany and neighbouring German-speaking countries, it is common to drink "Glühbier", which is a spiced cherry beer served hot, especially during the winter season. This is similar to the more common "Glühwein" or mulled wine. In the past, it was also common to drink a concoction called "Warmbier", which was made by heating beer and adding eggs, flour, butter, ginger nutmeg, salt and sugar. This was considered a healthy alternative to coffee.

The preference for drinking beer at colder temperatures may be due to several factors, including advances in refrigeration technology and the decline of saloons during the Prohibition era in the United States. Additionally, American beers tend to be highly carbonated, which can mask the flavour. In contrast, European beers are not carbonated and are meant to be enjoyed for their flavour.

How warm is warm beer?

The optimal temperature for drinking beer depends on the type of beer and personal preference. While some beer drinkers prefer their beer ice-cold, others opt for warmer temperatures to enhance the flavour.

In Central Europe, beer drinkers have traditionally used a "bierwarmer", a narrow metal tube filled with hot water and dipped into the beer, to adjust the temperature of their beer. While the use of beer warmers has declined in recent years, Central Europeans still tend to drink their beer at warmer temperatures than Americans.

According to experts, the ideal serving temperature for beer ranges from 2°C to 16°C (35°F to 60°F), depending on the style. Mass-market light lagers are typically served coldest, at 2°C to 4°C (35°F to 40°F), while barley wines, imperial stouts, Belgian strong ales, and Doppelbocks are served at the warmest temperature range of 13°C to 16°C (55°F to 60°F). Most craft ales and lagers, including IPAs, American pale ales, porters, and stouts, are best enjoyed at a slightly warmer temperature of 7°C to 10°C (45°F to 50°F).

It's worth noting that temperature significantly affects our taste buds. Warmth generally enhances flavour, while cold tends to suppress it. Therefore, choosing the right serving temperature ensures that the chemical compounds responsible for the various aromas and flavours in beer remain in balance. For example, a warmer stout will taste more balanced, with malt sweetness coming through, while an ice-cold stout will taste harshly bitter.

How to warm beer

While there aren't any beers served "warm" per se, there are a few ways to warm up a beer. In places like Germany, beer is often served at "cellar temperature", which is somewhere between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. This is because, before refrigeration, beer was poured directly from the cask at the bar, and there were no temperature options.

One way to warm up a beer is to use a hot poker. This method likely originated in Germany, and involves heating up a metal rod in a fire and then plunging it into a mug of beer. The heat causes the beer to fizzle and froth, and changes its composition, giving it a super creamy mouthfeel. This method is often used to warm up bock, a type of beer with a higher sugar content that reacts well to the heat.

Another way to warm beer is simply to let it sit at room temperature for a while before drinking it. Taking a beer out of the fridge 10 to 15 minutes before opening it can help to unlock a wider range of flavors. As beers warm up, many of the aromatic components that were previously locked up get released, giving the beer more character and flavor. This can start at temperatures just above 40 degrees Fahrenheit and go up to room/cellar temperatures.

In addition to these methods, there are also a few traditional heated ale drinks that can be made. One example is "flip", which is a mixture of ale, rum, sugar, and eggs, caramelized with a red-hot poker. Another is "posset", which is made by curdling milk or cream with hot wine or beer, and was believed to have health benefits. These types of drinks were once popular in both England and America, providing warmth and nutrition on cold nights.

Warm beer in the UK

The idea that people in the UK drink warm beer is a myth. While it is true that beer in the UK is not served as cold as in the US, it is not served warm. The myth likely originated during World War II when American GIs stationed in the UK found that the beer available to them was not the crisp cold lager they were used to back home.

The optimal serving temperature for cask beer (also known as real ale) is between 10-13°C (14-15°C for stouts), which is not room temperature but rather cellar temperature. This allows the richness and complexity of the beer to come to the fore. Lager, on the other hand, should be served colder than ale, between 7-10°C, but not so cold that you are unable to taste the flavour of the drink.

In the UK, the preference is for beer to be less chilled than in the US, as this is believed to bring out more of the flavour. As one beer enthusiast puts it: "If [beer is] of the highest quality we want to get every bit of flavour out of [it] that we can. If they are lacking in quality or are downright poor, to make them drinkable they should be as cold as you can get them. Europeans will tell you that most American beer [is] served cold for that reason."

However, it should be noted that the preference for warmer beer in the UK does not extend to all drinks. For example, Americans and Brits alike prefer their Guinness chilled, with the former preferring the Foreign Extra Stout variety and the latter opting for the richer, more full-bodied version brewed in Dublin.

Warm beer health benefits

While the preference for drinking warm beer is mostly associated with Europe, the practice was common in North America until the 1800s. In the days before refrigeration, warm beer was the norm and was considered to have health benefits.

Historically, warm beer was believed to be an aid to healthy living. A 1623 text, "Panala Alacatholica", praised the virtues of warm beer, claiming that it "doth by its succulencie much nourish and corroborate the Corporall, and comfort the Animall powers." Similarly, in 1641, Henry Overton asserted in a pamphlet that drinking heated beer and ale was "farre more wholesome than that which is drunk cold." This belief was based on the idea that the stomach was ruled by two "master-qualities" of heat and dryness, and that drinking cold beer would upset digestion.

Today, while the preference for drinking beer warm may have fallen out of fashion, there are still some potential health benefits associated with drinking beer in moderation, regardless of its temperature.

Heart Health

Several studies have suggested that consuming one to two beers a day may help lower your risk of heart disease. Beer may be as effective at improving general heart health as wine at comparable alcohol levels. One study showed that one drink per day lowered the risk of all-cause mortality for women, and up to two beers a day produced the same results for men.

Blood Sugar Control

Drinking light amounts of alcohol may help reduce the risk of developing diabetes and help people with diabetes control their blood sugar more effectively. One study showed that one to two alcoholic drinks a day could lower the risk of developing diabetes by up to 50%. This effect is most pronounced with low-sugar beers, such as light beers.

Bone Strength

Early research suggests that moderate amounts of beer may help strengthen bones for men and postmenopausal women. Alcohol, in moderate amounts, can generally have a positive effect on bone strength. However, this benefit sharply drops when consumption exceeds two drinks per day.

Antioxidants

Darker beers tend to have more antioxidants, which fight free radicals in the body, reducing the risk of chronic conditions and certain forms of cancer.

It is important to note that while moderate beer consumption may have some health benefits, excessive drinking can lead to serious health problems, including addiction, reduced life expectancy, liver disease, weight gain, and an increased risk of certain cancers. As with all alcoholic beverages, moderation is key.

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