Beer in a chilled glass: yes or no?

Julio Cerezo - Beer Sommelier
Director of Sabeer Beer Academy

This is perhaps one of the most controversial topics of discussion among beer lovers in Spain and those of us who are dedicated to spreading the culture of beer on different fronts: should you drink the beer from a chilled glass or not? We will try to present the advantages and disadvantages of both options as objectively as possible.

Many people likely believe that serving beer in a glass straight from the freezer is a deliberate effort by the hospitality industry to provide the best possible experience. Allocating space in the cold storage to keep glasses chilled and replenishing them as they're used entails extra effort. This only makes sense when customers notice and appreciate it.

A ‘TYPICALLY SPANISH' PRACTICE

However, this service practice seems to be limited only to Spain, and of course, it would be difficult to offer beer in a chilled glass in countries with such a strong beer tradition like Belgium, Germany or the United Kingdom. In these countries, establishments generally offer a wider selection of beers, serve them in specific glassware according to the brand and style, and pay meticulous attention to the draught process, dedicating a level of care and time that is uncommon in Spain.

We might think that our warmer climate is the sole reason for this peculiarity, but the truth is that summer temperatures in those countries often surpass those of our autumn or spring. Yet, this doesn't change the way beer is served across different seasons in either place.

The use of chilled glasses and our preference for serving beer at a lower temperature seems to be two sides of the same coin. Beyond the obvious reduction in temperature, does serving beer in a chilled glass affect its taste? The answer is yes and in several ways. Firstly, the frost that forms inside the glass as it chills will dilute the beer when it melts, which in turn diminishes the intensity of its malt and hop flavours.

On the other hand, the interior of freezers often contains unpleasant odours, which can transfer to the glass and alter or even mask the beer's aromas, significantly affecting its flavour.

Finally, it's worth noting that the widely-held belief that ‘colder is better’ is by no means an absolute truth when it comes to tasting beer. Each style or variety of beer has a temperature range where its nuances shine most brightly. However, generally speaking, excessive cold tends to block almost all aromas, significantly diminishing the beer's flavour.

In summary, from an organoleptic perspective, serving beer in a chilled glass is not recommended. Similarly, adding ice cubes to wine or stirring a glass of sparkling wine with a spoon until the carbonation disappears are practices to be avoided, as they inevitably alter the original taste of the product.