City Paper finds coldest beer, or maybe a Slurpee
I admire the legwork of the City Paper crew that went out into the cold, cruel world of bars and found Baltimore's coldest beer.
The honor goes to Bolero Lounge , 3638 S. Hanover a Bud Ice at 30.2 degrees. (An earlier post referred to the crew's good work in 2005 which named Butts and Betty's Tavern on Gough Street as the source of the coldest beer. My Bad).
The trouble is that when it comes to beer, colder does not mean better tasting.
As many beer books, including Beer for Dummies points out, the colder the beer, the less carbonation that is released, the less aroma a beer gives off.
"The palate is numbed," the Dummies book continues, "to the point that it cannot discern many of the beers flavor nuances. Why bother drinking a beer if you can't taste it? Might as well have a Slurpee."
The proper serving temperature for lagers is between 42 and 48 degrees, Dummies advised. For ales, it is 44 to 52. Stouts can be served at "British cellar temperature" up to 55 degrees.
Where do you stand on frosted mugs?
Are they a taste-bud travesty or a welcome drinking companion?
Photo: Lloyd Fox The Baltimore Sun
Comments
Some days, I couldn't care less about the taste, I just want the coldest beer possible. Besides, I'd drink a beer with little to no flavor any day of the week over a sugary soda or a Slurpee (well maybe I'd have a Slurpee).
Posted by: Evan | May 29, 2009 1:57 PM
I love good beer. It's great having a few Nugget Nectars at a chilly 38-40 degrees.
That being said, I still enjoy sligging back 8-10 of the coldest Natty Lights I can find.
Posted by: NR | May 29, 2009 2:48 PM
If you're drinking Bud Ice, you'd better make sure it's really cold, so you can't taste it.
Posted by: Tim S | May 29, 2009 2:57 PM
I am a fan of cold beer. Light beers need to be colder still.
A frosted mug is always welcome!
Posted by: Glenn | May 29, 2009 3:09 PM
July afternoon after mowing the grass, an ice cold American light lager is great.
Posted by: David | May 29, 2009 7:54 PM
Shuckers in Fells Point has some cold draft beer. Every now and then, their In-Heat Wheat Hefeweizen has ice chips in it that reminds you of a slurpee.
Posted by: MC | May 31, 2009 9:24 AM