Most beer drinkers can agree that drinking a cold one on a hot day is the perfect way to cool down, but have you ever chilled your favorite beer by putting it in the freezer and wondered whether or not beer freezes? Believe it or not, beer can freeze.
What temperature does beer freeze? The answer depends on some factors. So, keep reading as we explore what temperature does beer freeze at and how you can chill your drink stays deliciously refreshing!
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Contents
Does Beer Freeze?
The answer is yes, beer can freeze. The exact temperature that beer will freeze at depends on the alcohol content of the beer, the type of containers it is kept in, and its temperature during storage.
Generally speaking, beers with a greater alcohol level will require more time to freeze than lighter beer or those kept in glass containers.
What Temperature Does Beer Freeze?
So, what temperature does beer freeze? Typically, beer will freeze at about 27°F (-3°C).
However, this temperature can vary depending on the alcohol content of the beer. A reference chart has been created for you.
| Alcohol Level (%) | Freezing Temperature in Celsius | Freezing Temperature in Fahrenheit |
| 3% | -1°C | 30.2°F |
| 3.5% | -1.2°C | 29.9°F |
| 4% | -1.3°C | 29.6°F |
| 4.5% | -1.5°C | 29.3°F |
| 5% | -1.6°C | 29°F |
| 5.5% | -1.8°C | 28.7°F |
| 6% | -2.0°C | 28.3°F |
| 6.5% | -2.2°C | 28°F |
| 7% | -2.4°C | 27.7°F |
| 8% | -2.8°C | 27°F |
| 9% | -3.1°C | 26.4°F |
| 10% | -3.5°C | 25.7°F |
| 20% | -9.0°C | 15°F |
Is It Safe To Freeze Your Beer?
You may have heard that freezing your beer is the most effective method for instantly chilling your drink, but it is not recommended to freeze beer, as it can lead to a change in taste and texture.
When beer is frozen, the water inside of it expands and this can cause the container to burst or even crack open if left for too long. It also affects the carbonation of the beer, making it lose its effervescence.
So, while freezing your beer briefly can be an effective way to chill it quickly, it is not the best method for keeping your beer cold and refreshing. Beers should be kept in a dark, cool location that is not too cold.
Will Beer Explode In The Freeze?
As you might know, beer is made up of 95% water. Water begins to expand as it freezes. This means any bottles of beer that you put in the freezer run the danger of blowing up due to the force that the ice will exert as it expands.
You’ll have to clean everything up while listening to depressing tiny violins, and when you reopen the freezer, you’ll see the unfortunate sight of beer that has erupted. Therefore, never leave beers in the freezer.
Does Freezing Change The ABV?
The ABV of beer is not drastically impacted by freezing. However, in severe circumstances, it could lead to part of the alcohol separating from the beverage and forming what is referred to by the term “frozen lager foam” upon the surface of the drink. This may lessen the beer’s ABV and alter its flavor and fragrance.
But all that happens when beer is frozen is the water converting into ice. Since ethanol froze at a temperature of within -114°C (-173°F), it will not solidify. This implies that simply taking part of the ice out of the beer before drinking might potentially raise the ABV.
What is The Safest Way to Chill a Beer?
The safest way to chill a beer is to place it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. It’s best not to attempt to freeze beers or put them into an ice bucket. This could be very dangerous, as the bottles might burst open if exposed to prolonged freezing temperatures.
When you don’t have time and need your beer chilled quickly, try pre-chilling your glasses for about five minutes in the fridge or freezer. And fill them with beer just before drinking to maximize flavor and satisfaction.
In addition, you can also try chilling the beer in a water bath with ice. Simply immerse the bottle or can in a bucket filled with sufficient ice-chilled water until the appropriate temperature is obtained which is about 4-6°C (40-45°F). This could be done within 10-15 minutes, but you will have to continually stir the bottle and check its temperature.
Can Frozen Beer Be Salvaged?
What would you do if your beer were frozen? There are several choices, I suppose.
Unfortunately, if the beer has erupted, it should be understood that the mess cannot be salvaged. Furthermore, you ought not to try to drink it regardless of whether only the top is broken off. You don’t want to consume it since there could be tiny fragments of glass in there.
If you see your beer freezing in the middle of a drink, leave it in the fridge and let it defrost. Although the overall taste will be impacted, it is still largely palatable, especially given that the alcohol content may have gone up.
You only might continue to utilize your beer if it only dropped its carbonation rather than exploding. Make beer margaritas or popsicles, for instance. Even when incorporated into your supper preparation, certain beers taste fantastic. Even steaks may be marinated in beer.
If you don’t like it, you may also use beer as a cleanser for your home.
FAQs
Will Beer Freeze at 17 Degrees?
The answer is no. Most beers will freeze at -16 degrees Celsius. However, lighter beer containing a lower alcohol content would need even colder temperatures for the crystals to
form.
Does Freezing Beer Make It Last Longer?
Beer doesn’t last longer when it freezes. Whereas when the beer repeatedly freezes and then quickly thaws, the alcohol concentration and carbonation gradually start to decline.
Can You Drink Frozen Beer?
If the beer freezes without exploding, is it still usable? Probably yes but the taste will be slightly changed from the original.
Instead, you can try using beer as an ice cream popsicle or to marinate your dish. Worse, it is also very effective as a cleaning agent.
What is The Coldest Beer Can Get Before Freezing?
Most beers can freeze at -16 degrees Celsius. However, lighter beer with lower alcohol content might need to be even colder for crystals to form. So the coldest a beer can get before freezing depends on the ABV and ingredients in the beer.
What is The Coldest Beer?
The coldest beer is sub-zero beer, which is a beer that has been frozen to minus -6.3 degrees Celsius (20.7 degrees Fahrenheit). This type of beer was first created in Japan and is now being sold in several countries around the world.
It has a unique texture and flavor due to its extremely cold temperature, while also having a higher alcohol content.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the question posed at the beginning of this blog post – “What temperature does beer freeze?” can be answered with a bit of general knowledge and individual research. Although the commonly accepted answer is 27°F (-3°C), depending on the alcohol content of a specific beer, the frozen temperatures are different.
With this answer for what temperatures beer freezes and a guide on how to chill your beer, we hope that this blog post was able to provide enough knowledge and advice so that you can enjoy your beverage with the optimal flavor.
