Saturday 9 June 2012

Ice-cold in Adswood

The hot weather a couple of weeks ago (now sadly only a fading memory) prompted me to create a poll about whether people had ever put ice cubes in beer to cool it down a bit. It’s a recognised (if questionable) serving method for cider, but very rarely seen with beer.

Actually, 17% of respondents said they had, so it’s not entirely unknown. It’s all very well saying you should put your beer in the fridge, but if you haven’t had such foresight, it may be the cooling option of last resort. Personally I have one of those flexible rapid wine coolers which I keep in the freezer, so I’m generally prepared for the worst.

The comment that it was standard practice in Thailand was interesting – see the results and comment thread.

Of course, no doubt Cooking Lager would say that if you go down the pub they have ice-cold lout on tap.

3 comments:

  1. Several years ago I visited RAF Lakenheath, in the company of my American brother-in-law who was a serving officer in the United States Air Force at the time. In the bar we paused for refreshment in, I was surprised, and slightly alarmed, to see our cousins from across the pond sitting their with pitchers full of lager (presumably Bud, or some other tasteless fizz), with dozens of ice-cubes floating in the beer! I knew Americans liked their beers cold, but this really was taking the biscuit.

    Fortunately the bar served some quite acceptable bottles of Dublin-brewed Guinness; this being at the time when Park Royal was still in operation and the London-brewed version was regarded by many as an inferior product.

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  2. It’s nice to get a mention, makes me feel all warm.

    I could say that for pubs do operate on a tyranny of the majority. You can have what someone is prepared to make for you. At home you can have what you like. If you want your red wine chilled or your white wine warm. If you want ice or coke in a malt whisky. If you want to mix any number of peculiar ingredients. You are free in a free country to enjoy what you like, unless you are in a British pub many of which still react in horror if you ask for a coffee. If you want a cold beer, your option is usually only the lout. One of the nice aspects of craft keg in beer geek bars is the chill and fizz. Just keep reminding yourselves it’s a campaign for choice, not a campaign against anything.

    I’ve never myself put ice in beer, but I have stuck one in the freezer to get it even colder. I bought some Melvin’s fruit beers recently that recommend being served over ice so I will put some ice in a beer this week. The thing is, you can trust the recommendations of others in regard to good taste, or you can see for yourself and make your own mind up what you like.

    I shall drink it watching that show on telly with the tranny artist exploring the relationship between class and taste. The one on working class Sunderland was fascinating. He’s off with the middle classes this week.

    I will of course go drink a warm flat pongy ale in a grim northern pub, too.

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  3. Oh come on, Cookie, the claim that British pubs don't serve coffee belongs in the past. I'd be amazed if any that served food wouldn't provide a tea or coffee is asked.

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