Does Beer Have to Be Refrigerated?

For centuries, beer was produced in breweries close to rivers and ponds. That made brewing possible with chilled water and there was no problem reserving the beer barrels close to the chilled water.

We are sure you have seen Medieval breweries in Holland and Western Europe being close to river mills and underneath the shadow of trees.

However, the industrialization of beer production has made it impossible to chill the beer on the spot. Large-scale breweries poured their beer in large aluminum barrels that were impossible to chill.

Today we will discuss about the necessity to keep the beer refrigerated and have the best possible quality.

People who manage to enjoy their refrigerated beer are lucky and they can get satisfied by the aromas and flavors or the rich foam they can have from their favorite beer.

Why do Beers Go Bad When Not in Refrigeration?

Beer can go bad when not in refrigeration. We know that information even from the Ancient Egyptians era, that’s why we try to keep it chilled during transportation from producers to retailers.

When not in refrigeration beer can go bad because of the dissociation of its protein molecules. Remember that flavor and aromas are all organic chemical compounds.

These can go bad when the temperature rises in the beer bottle. Not to mention that some enzymes in the beer can get reactivated and start the fermentation process. The more alcohol, the worst the taste of your beer.

Optimal Refrigeration Temperature for Beer

The best refrigeration temperature for lager and pilsner beers would be between 4 and 9 degrees Celsius.

That depends on where you live since Mediterranean countries would require maximum refrigeration to keep the beer cold in the summer. However, you can use a useful trick.

There is always the chance to keep your beer mildly refrigerated to 9 degrees and then serve it in ice-cold mugs.

Keeping the ice-cold mugs in freezers will allow you to serve the beer in them and get an extra touch of refrigeration. It will make them a lot more drinkable and refreshing for a hot summer day.

Does Freezing the Beer Ruin its Taste and Flavor?

Even though chilling is good for your beer, freezing will have the opposite effect. When you freeze your beer you create ice crystals inside it.

To freeze the beer, you need to keep it to temperatures close to zero for multiple days.

That is because the alcohol concentration does not allow your beer to freeze easily.

The alcohol lowers the freezing point, so you need to leave it at zero degrees for many hours to start seeing ice crystals in the beer.

These crystals can ruin the foam and the flavors when you finally start to drink the beer.

Is there any difference between Chillers and Refrigerators for Beer?

Chillers are usually more compact refrigerators. They can hold many cans or bottles of beer and are used in small stores and restaurants.

However, refrigerators are bigger and not dedicated to beer freezing. You can usually find refrigerators in supermarkets and large storage facilities.

Chillers are for home and light professional use, while refrigerators are the best professional solution for chilling your beer at the optimal temperature.

Can you Store Beer at Room Temperature after it Has Been Refrigerated?

There is the chance to store beer at room temperature after refrigeration. However, you need to know that you should consume the beer shortly after you make it exit from the refrigerator.

Keeping it to room temperature for a long it will ruin its taste and foam. So when you have your beers chilled, try to drink them as soon as possible and avoid long-term storage at room temperature ever after.

Does Refrigeration Expand Beer Expiry Date?

Having your beer in your refrigeration for a long time will not save it from the expiration date. Producers are required by law to mention the expiry date at the bottom of the beer bottle or can.

That usually represents the date the pasteurization process ceases to exist. It means you are not protected from germs anymore and may be contaminated when drinking it.

Most of the time, you will not have any such issues, but drinking a beer with a past expiry date could make it taste funny and you may want to spit it out of your mouth.

Are there Special Refrigerators for Beer?

You can find special chillers for beer online. These are sold separately from other refrigerators since they are smaller and they have a glass door.

The latter allows you to see which beers are inside and pick the one right after you have made your final decision.

Such small refrigerators always have a built in thermometer. It will show you the internal temperature and allow you to adjust it according to the climate you have in your location.

Chillers for beers are quite affordable and you can combine them with your desired wine bottles that also need chilling.

Why Are Keg Beers Always Refrigerated?

Beers delivered to restaurants and taverns are always in keg containers. Kegs are made from stainless steel and need to be refrigerated at all times.

Producers take the keg beers from breweries and transport them in chilled trucks. Keg beers will easily take the chilling temperature since they are made of metals that are good conductors of heat.

When you are a restaurant owner, you want to serve fountain beer of premium quality. The only way to do so would be to have a beer in kegs that keep on being chilled in special refrigerators all the time.

Final Words

Refrigerators and beers are the best combinations. It’s always better to chill your beer to perfection and enjoy its aromas and flavors. Otherwise, you will have a beer that will not reflect its original taste.

Today you can find chilled beer anywhere and it’s better to have it than any other beer kept at room temperature.

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