On Beer

**Casey_in_Carolina** · 2nd November 08, 07:09 PM

OK, two separate questions. First is for you folks over in Scotland and the UK. It's about temperature of you beer/ale/stout/etc. I know that here in the US, we generally drink our beer chilled. Everyone always talks about beer in the UK being warm, which brought a thought to mind. Is your beer actually warm, or is it just warmer than what we in the US would consider a chilled beer? I guess I'm asking if there is a general temperature at which beers and ales are kept in the UK that is just warmer than what we keep beer at here in the US, or is it just left to go to room temperature? If it's just left to a 'room temperature', how do the different seasons affect the beer? I know I live in the South, and we may have temps in the low teens(Fahrenheit) in the Winter, and up over a hundred degrees in the Summer. That would significantly affect 'room temperature' of our beverages.

Just curious....

Second question is totally unrelated...well, not totally unrelated. Has anyone noticed that they seem to be able to hold a bit more beer when going kilted? Maybe it's just me....

Casey

**Standard** · 2nd November 08, 07:58 PM

Interesting questions Casey. I've wondered the same thing myself. I know when I was in England years ago that it was rare to get ice in your soda (not a beer drinker at the time).

**BoldHighlander** · 2nd November 08, 08:06 PM

Great question Casey. I too will be interested in how our friends across the pond answer.
As for myself, if drinking a stout/porter I allow it to warm up a wee bit, as I find that more flavors present themselves than when its chilled.

p.s. I'm enjoying a nice thick Russian Imperial Stout as I type this int:
:beer:

**Steve53** · 2nd November 08, 08:07 PM

I spent two years in the early 70s in the UK while in the Air Force.

Beers there (and then) were generally served at "cellar" temperature, about 55-58 degree F. This was usually attained without refrigeration. Most Americans at the time considered this "warm," though certainly not room temperature.

It's my understanding that things are generally served colder now... I even hear that Budweiser sells well in London.

Steve

**Steve53** · 2nd November 08, 08:10 PM

Forgot to add that some UK beers served in the US are made here, not imported. Guiness comes to mind, and it's not the same recipe, but something "designed" to be served colder. Yecch! Gimme UK- or Irish-brewed Guiness any day... preferably from a bottle. It tastes so much better! [Would you settle for "I prefer it"?]

Steve

**BoldHighlander** · 2nd November 08, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by Steve53

Forgot to add that some UK beers served in the US are made here, not imported. Guiness comes to mind, and it's not the same recipe, but something "designed" to be served colder. Yecch! Gimme UK- or Irish-brewed Guiness any day... preferably from a bottle. It tastes so much better! [Would you settle for "I prefer it"?]

Steve

You know, I remember back in the early to mid 80's when I could purchase Guiness actually imported from Ireland.
I wonder when that changed?

**Steve53** · 2nd November 08, 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by BoldHighlander

You know, I remember back in the early to mid 80's when I could purchase Guiness actually imported from Ireland.
I wonder when that changed?

I think that changed in the mid to late 90s.

Steve

**wsk** · 2nd November 08, 09:30 PM

Most of what American's drink is lager. Lagers are fermented at low temps and taste better when served cold.

When I was in Scotland (Holy Loch) in the late 70's & early 80's the ales that I got at the local were cellar temp. Of course one was more comfortable in the pub itself when wearing a sweater so, yeah, room temp. I avoided the bars and clubs that most sailors favored.

**JS Sanders** · 2nd November 08, 08:21 PM

I've spent a great deal of time in Scotland and the beer's just as cold as it is here. You can even purchase draft Guinness at pubs advertised as 'extra cold'.

I've never seen soft drinks served any way but well chilled - even says so on Pepsi bottles. Otherwise, a glass with ice accompanies your soft drink.

This is as recent as last month.

Draft Guinness served in the US is brewed in Ireland, though it can suffer a bit during the physical transport across the Atlantic and subsequent distribution. Guinness served in cans & bottles for American consumption is brewed in Canada.

And Budweiser & Miller are popular in Scotland as well, though cannot understand why.

Slainte,
steve