The Wine & Whisky Thread

[Pepperamip]

I think you are supposed to drink IPA at room temperature, but I actually prefer it chilled - also makes it good for a summer tipple instead of lager (which generally I find too gassy) so although it may be a heinous crime, try one in the fridge as well...

I drink the other 2 at room temp but I don't see why you can't have an ipa chilled. I'll pick a couple of these up at some point.

A brewdog bar has not long opened directly opposite my building in canary wharf. You want to see some of the prices in there for not even a pint (they do half and a third pint prices for the stronger stuff)

I will take a pic one day and post it in this thread I reckon it will shock some of you.

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[Marco]

I think you are supposed to drink IPA at room temperature, but I actually prefer it chilled - also makes it good for a summer tipple instead of lager (which generally I find too gassy) so although it may be a heinous crime, try one in the fridge as well...

As with anything, it's down to your own individual preference, so if you enjoy/prefer your ales chilled, then go ahead.

However, the 'official/correct' way to serve any real ale is cold, but not chilled. Temp range is between 10-14°C, with IPAs and other 'blonde' styles served at the lower end of that scale, particularly during summer months. Richer, dark ales, should be drunk at the higher end of that scale.

That's how I enjoy them, as the flavour is much better that way. But if you do chill ales, then don't do it to the same extent as you would lagers (ice-cold, with condensation showing on the glass or can), as you'll ruin the flavour that way!

Marco.

[Alex_UK]

Indeed - darker ales I wouldn't, but I do like a cold IPA.

[Marco]

Indeed, but what do you term as "cold" - as cold as a lager?

For me no, unless you don't drink your lager ice-cold, like I do... Something such as Bud, or Sol (with a slice of lime inside the neck of the bottle, oh yes very 80s) only tastes 'right' if it almost freezes your hand off when you grab hold of the bottle!

Now, I wouldn't want to be doing that with an IPA.... Cold yes, ice-cold, no.

Marco.

[Alex_UK]

No, not ice cold - I generally put them in the top front of the fridge - and usually take it out for half an hour before drinking (if I remember) so more chilled than ice cold. I might try just putting some in cold water and see how the flavour changes. I definitely don't like warm beer of any kind - would rather it to cold than too warm!

[Marco]

Same here, although I thought warm (flat) beer was traditional in England?

Seriously though, that's why when you go abroad in Europe (and drink in places not largely populated by British tourists), you almost never see pint glasses used for serving beer/lager, simply because unless you're a *very* fast drinker, your last sips, leading up to and including the last one, will be considerably warmer than the first!

However, if you serve beer (lager) in smaller glasses, you drink it quicker, so it stays cooler... In Germany, it's therefore not uncommon (especially in traditional Brauhaus') for Pils beer to be served in tall, but very small, thin 0.2L glasses, ice-cold, with waiters/waitresses on hand to offer immediate ice-cold refills!

Like these (and almost a third of the content is taken up by a lovely frothy head):



Germans HATE warm and/or flat beer... I've got a waiter's 'serving 'tray' with a handle, which holds 8 of those glasses, that I use for parties, and which one of Del's German relatives bought for me from a traditional Cologne Brauhaus.

Marco.

[struth]

pale ale should be served at around same temp as beer, ie, 7-11c... lager colder still usually around 5c. stouts etc ar cellar temp, which should be 13c

[rmcin626]

Same here, although I thought warm (flat) beer was traditional in England?

Seriously though, that's why when you go abroad in Europe (and drink in places not largely populated by British tourists), you almost never see pint glasses used for serving beer/lager, simply because unless you're a *very* fast drinker, your last sips, leading up to and including the last one, will be considerably warmer than the first!

However, if you serve beer (lager) in smaller glasses, you drink it quicker, so it stays cooler... In Germany, it's therefore not uncommon (especially in traditional Brauhaus') for Pils beer to be served in tall, but very small, thin 0.2L glasses, ice-cold, with waiters/waitresses on hand to offer immediate ice-cold refills!

Like these (and almost a third of the content is taken up by a lovely frothy head):



Germans HATE warm and/or flat beer... I've got a waiter's 'serving 'tray' with a handle, which holds 8 of those glasses, that I use for parties, and which one of Del's German relatives bought for me from a traditional Cologne Brauhaus.

Marco.

Totally agree after spending time in Germany, really struggled with pints when returned to Scotland . Just remembered there used to be a local measure of beer here called a “pony” which was about a 1/4 of a pint maybe less, my dad used to drink that sometimes with his whisky as he was never really a beer man, more of a half and a half man as they were known.

[struth]

Totally agree after spending time in Germany, really struggled with pints when returned to Scotland . Just remembered there used to be a local measure of beer here called a “pony” which was about a 1/4 of a pint maybe less, my dad used to drink that sometimes with his whisky as he was never really a beer man, more of a half and a half man as they were known.

yup, an unofficial size but very common, especially in the west of scotland. 5oz glass

[Marco]

Absolutely, Robin! In general, Brits need to start *savouring* and appreciating what they drink (and eat) more, and prioritise QUALITY more than quantity! Or focussing so much on price.

It shouldn't be about shoving any old shit down your gullet, posing as 'food', as long as it acts as 'sustenance', or pouring gallons of (not very cold, often flat) 'so-so' beer down your throat, just to get pissed.... Be more discerning, and savour/appreciate the quality and flavour of the food and drink you consume - that's the continental way

Marco.