Brits in Britian like their beer at room temp. Except Lagers. But after reading “Goo-Fee’s” general post about ice in drinks, I did some observation. The expatriate bars in Houston serve the british (and Irish) beers cold. The expatriates in the bars seem to enjoy it this way. I’ve seen and met quite a few who will pick Shiner Bock (a regional microbrew) first. Water, which I enjoy with beer, is served with lots of ice.
The expatriates seem to like their beer cold and drinks with lots of ice. Is it because the climate is hotter here, or are they humoring us Southerners?
Beer in the UK is served and drunk cold. Not ice cold, just tapwater cold… but not warm. Certainly not room temperature. Trust me, I have extensive experience (hic).
In an uncivilized climate such as that of the southern US (excessive sunlight and inadequate rain), a Briton will naturally want to cool down… There is also the traditional canard about American beers, as described by my esteemed compatriot casdave, above; however, I’ve heard that the output of American microbreweries is, in fact, acceptable. (If I’m ever in the US, I shall endeavour to verify this. Purely in a spirit of impartial scientific inquiry, you understand…)
UK bitter/ale is traditionally served at cellar temperature. However, there is a tendancy to keep the good, cask conditioned stuff in the bar, around here at least, which sometimes means its a bit warmer than I would like. Personally I like it cold.
I make an effort to experience microbrew pubs when I visit the US I’ve been impressed at the range of good beers on offer. Here in the UK, choice seems to have become more restricted, many pubs don’t serve local beer at all. In fact I increasingly find my self drinking lager in preference to the usual offerings (Boddington/John Smith/Worthington/Tetley).
I’ve been impressed at the range of good beers on offer. Here in the UK, choice seems to have become more restricted, many pubs don’t serve local beer at all. In fact I increasingly find my self drinking lager in preference to the usual offerings (Boddington/John Smith/Worthington/Tetley).