A cold beer on a hot summer day is a refreshing delight loved by many. However, even on freezing winter days, many prefer cold beer over beer that is “warm.” What is the reason behind this preference?
Many people consistently enjoy drinking cold beer, regardless of whether it is winter or summer. These individuals report that beer chilled with ice or poured into a glass full of ice enhances their experience, enabling them to drink more and feel less intoxicated.
So, does drinking cold beer merely trick the drinker’s senses, making them feel that the beer tastes better, or does beer served at low temperatures genuinely enhance the flavors? Scientists have sought answers to this question.
Drinking chilled beer not only provides better refreshment on hot days but can also enhance the flavor of the beer (Illustration: Getty).
A team of scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, led by Dr. Liu Jiang, has discovered why cold beer tastes better than “warm” beer.
Dr. Liu Jiang came up with the idea to research this topic while drinking with friends two years ago.
Dr. Liu Jiang’s research team found that the flavor of alcoholic beverages (including beer and liquor) changes with temperature and alcohol concentration, due to the way ethanol behaves at different temperatures and concentrations.
In the laboratory, scientists discovered that at low alcohol concentrations, ethanol forms a pyramid-like structure around water molecules. However, as the alcohol concentration increases, they found that ethanol begins to arrange itself into interconnected chains.
These structures are affected by temperature. In 5% ethanol solutions, a common concentration for beers, when the solution is cooled down by 5 degrees Celsius from room temperature, the chain structure of ethanol appears more frequently. This means that when the solution is chilled, it will have a richer flavor, similar to increasing the alcohol concentration in the solution.
Ethanol is characterized by a bitter and slightly sweet taste. Low-concentration beer, when chilled, enhances the ethanol chain structures, similar to high-alcohol beverages, boosting the flavor of ethanol in the drink. This is why drinking cold beer is bolder and tastier than regular “warm” beer.
Dr. Liu Jiang mentioned that his research and that of his colleagues could help the alcoholic beverage industry find solutions to enhance beer flavor without needing to increase the alcohol concentration, allowing drinkers to enjoy more beer with a better flavor while feeling less intoxicated.
The research by Dr. Liu Jiang and his colleagues has been published in the scientific journal Matter.
It is important to note that despite enjoying better-flavored beer for a longer duration without feeling intoxicated, operating a vehicle after consuming alcohol is strictly prohibited by law and can lead to severe consequences. Therefore, everyone should drink responsibly to avoid unfortunate outcomes after social gatherings.
