What Temp Does Beer Freeze: Everything To Know About Freezing Brews

If you have ever wondered “What temp does beer freeze?” and the temperature that a beer freezes, we have got you covered. Beers freeze at approximately 28 degrees Fahrenheit, but this is just the average temperature. Different beers have different freezing points and it all depends on the alcohol by volume percent of a beer.

This guide will tell you everything there is to know about frozen beer and other alcoholic beverages.

What Temp Does Beer Freeze?

On a general level, the basic temperature at which beer should technically freeze is around 28 degrees Fahrenheit. The standard freezing point is not relative to all beers alike. There are several factors to consider when checking for the right freezing temperature of different beers. The ABV of a beer plays a big role here.

A frozen beer often becomes a slush. It loses its character, aroma and taste. Sometimes, in deplorable situations, a frozen beer bottle can break or explode too.

– How Long Does It Take To Freeze Beer?

Light beer can take anywhere between two to three hours to freeze, while a strong beer may take over six hours to freeze. Just like the ABV of the beer decides its freezing temperature, it is also responsible for deciding the amount of time the beer will take to freeze.

But this is only if you want to freeze your beer. If you just want your beer to reach an optimal drinking temperature, then the period completely changes. Assuming the beer is at room temperature, it would take approximately one hour for the beer to chill. One hour in the freezer, and your beer would easily reach a temperature mark of 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Another factor is the type of beer served. Craft beers are best served between 40 F to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Light or commercial beers are good at 35 F and high ABV beers are best served at 45 F to 55 F.

– What Is the Best Way to Chill Beer?

One of the best ways to ensure a cold beer is to place the beer glass in the freezer for up to 40 minutes. This way, the beer will remain chilled for a slightly longer time. If you think one hour is too long to wait for beer to chill, you can chill the beer glass or mug instead.

Another method is to wrap a wet paper towel around your glass and place it in the freezer. This technique only takes about 20 minutes to chill your glass, and the beer stays cold for a long time.

– What Factors Decide the Freezing Point of Beer?

Alcohol content, sugar content, and the size and material of the beer container all play a part in determining the temperature at which a beer freezes.

1. Alcohol Content

The alcohol content of different beverages is the deciding factor for the alcohol freeze point. Pure alcohol is very difficult to freeze at home, but in terms of alcoholic beverages, it is a different case altogether. These drinks contain more water and less alcohol, so their freezing process is much simpler.

Here is a chart of beers at different ABVs and their respective freezing point.

Alcohol percentage	Freezing temp in Fahrenheit
3.0 percent – 3.2 percent	30.2 F
3.2 percent – 3.5 percent	30.0 F
3.5 percent – 3.7 percent	29.9 F – 29.8 F
3.8 percent – 4.1 percent	29.7 F
4.2 percent – 4.3 percent	29.5 F
4.4 percent – 4.7 percent	29.3 F – 29.2 F
4.8 percent – 5.0 percent	29.0 F
5.5 percent – 5.9 percent	28.7 F
6.0 percent	28.3 F
6.5 percent	28.0 F
7.0 percent	27.7 F
8.0 percent	27.0 F
9.0 percent	26.4 F
10.0 percent	25.7 F

2. Sugar Content

Sugar is a preservative. Sugar keeps the water from condensing, thereby causing the beer to have a lower freezing point, so the more the sugar content in your beer, the lower its freezing temp will be.

3. Size and Material of the Container in Which Beer Is Stored

When we compare a bottle or can to a kegerator, the winner is a kegerator. A kegerator will keep the beer colder for a long time because of having more liquid. This is the reason why keg containers are marked at 24.8 degrees Fahrenheit (or -4 C).

– Does Frozen Beer Explode?

The answer to this question is yes; frozen beer, if left unattended, can lead to a messy beer explosion in the freezer. It is always a good idea to set a timer to chill your beer. If the beer is left unattended, it may cause the particles in the beer to expand, thereby causing an explosion.

While this isn’t as dangerous as it sounds, it sure is messy. The exact freezing temps of different beers vary, but any beer can be kept for as long as 40 – 60 minutes for it to chill to an apt drinking temperature.

Just like water, beer also expands when it freezes. If left for long periods of time in the freezer, you may risk the ice crystals expanding vigorously, hence causing an explosion.

– Can Frozen Beer Be Consumed?

The answer is both yes and no. No, If the bottle has beer oozing out of it or has a crack, it is best to toss it away; chances are it has already exploded or is going to explode. But if you managed to check on your beer right before it is completely frozen, you can move it into the refrigerator and wait for it to reach its optimal drinking temperature. If you left your beer for too long in the freezer to get a cold beer, chances are it is now frozen.

– Things To Know About Frozen Beer

It’s good to keep in mind that frozen beer ages faster. Freezing beer and then thawing it brings it closer to its expiration date. It also makes it flatter, so you may not enjoy the beer after all. Beers that freeze in cans tend to flatten sooner as they lose most of their carbonation.

Your last resort would be to use your un-exploded frozen beer as a slush or make some beer margarita out of it. You can even use frozen and thawed beer in cooking — no one would even know. You could also make some beer popsicles, which are always fun to have around.

– Does Beer Freeze in the Car?

Yes, If you experience frozen winters where you live, your beer has a chance to freeze in a car, so this would depend on if you are living around the northern hemisphere. Beer is a water-based liquid and it expands when freezing, which may lead to an explosion, so it is best to not leave a can or bottle of beer in the car.

How long for beer to freeze in car?

In general, beer with five percent ABV freezes at 27 F. So in places like Canada, Scandinavia, Minnesota, or alike, your beer has a chance to freeze in the car when it reaches this temperature.

Conclusion

On a generic level, the ideal temperature at which beer can freeze is around 28 degrees Fahrenheit.

The best thing is to keep a check on the beer by starting a timer — 40 minutes into the freezer and it should be of proper drinking temperature.

• The temperature beer freeze at varies based on its alcohol content. The higher the alcohol content, the lower the freezing point of the beer.
• Alcohol content, sugar content, and the size and material of the beer container all play a part in determining the temperature at which a beer freezes.
• If you just want a cold beer, put it in the refrigerator for up to seven hours and you’ll be good to go.
• If you have only 20 minutes on the run, wrap the beer can or bottle with a wet towel and place it in the freezer.
• If your bottle has beer oozing out of it or has a crack, it is best to toss it away; chances are it has already exploded or is going to explode.

Safety is always the top priority, so don’t leave your beer in the freezer for too long. And even if you do, be careful when opening it to avoid a messy explosion.