What Temp Does Beer Freeze?

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Have you ever put a case of beer in the back of your freezer and wondered how long it would take to freeze?

Beer lovers often ask themselves this question when chilling their drinks. So this article will discuss what temp does beer freezes, factors that affect the freezing point of beer, and more. Let’s dive in.

What Temp Does Beer Freeze?

Most beers with an ABV between 3% and 12% freeze at a temperature of 28 degrees Fahrenheit. If you want to chill your beer in the freezer, it will take at least an hour to get it cold and two hours to freeze.

An image of cold beer

If you have a few hours to spare, it will take on average two to three hours to chill your beer or any other canned beverage in the refrigerator. Suppose you want your drink colder faster, then putting it in the freezer is the ideal solution.

It only takes one hour to chill a beer in the freezer to perfection if it starts at room temperature (72 degrees Fahrenheit). However, you must remove beer from the freezer before it turns to slush after only an hour in a  28 degrees Fahrenheit freezer. When beer cools to 28 degrees Fahrenheit, it has a good chance of becoming slushy or even freezing.

What Temperature Is Best for Storing Beer?

Keep your beer bottles at a constant temperature of 50 – 55 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid flavor decline. Experts refer to it as the “cellar temperature.” Almost any well-designed beer fridge will maintain this temperature range. Having a proper beer fridge will also preserve the bottles from the harmful effects of UV rays.

Alcohol % LevelTemp Freeze (Fahrenheit)
3.030.2
4.029.6
5.029.0
6.028.3
7.027.7
8.027.0
9.026.4
10.025.7

Can You Defrost a Frozen Beer?

Yes, as long as the bottle is not broken and your beer is still partially frozen. After defrosting, you can store it in the refrigerator and enjoy it later. You should know that the beer you pour from a bottle that still has ice crystals in it has a higher alcohol content than usual.

Water freezes faster than alcohol; therefore, what’s left behind once the beer freezes is mostly alcohol. The freezing increases the overall percentage of alcohol in your drink, giving it an extra punch. It is important to note that freezing and defrosting can affect the flavor and aroma of a fine beer.

Factors That Affect the Freezing Point of a Beer

The temperature at which beer freezes depends on various factors, including:

  • Amount of alcohol in the beer
  • Residual sugar
  • Container material used for storage
Ice cold beer

When breweries add ingredients like alcohol and sugar to a water-based solution, they cause freezing point depression. It means the components have the effect of lowering the solution’s freezing point. In this context, the following factors affect beer’s freezing point.

Alcohol

The amount of alcohol affects a beer’s icing rate. Alcohol contains an ethanol component that freezes at -173 degrees Fahrenheit. That fact confirms that the larger the percentage of alcohol in a beverage, the slower it will freeze.

Water is the only negative aspect as it freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. So, it will solidify into ice crystals quicker than alcohol. You should expect to find ice crystals in your beer because water is the primary ingredient. To break or defrost the ice, you will need a heat source.

Container Size and Material

The size of a container plays a significant role in regulating the temperature of a liquid. For example, compare a beer bottle to a keg container. Which do you think is better at keeping the beer cool without solidifying? The answer is a kegerator. Why?

The kegerator has a greater volume of liquid and requires more energy to freeze. That explains why the kegs have a 34-40 degrees Fahrenheit mark. It keeps the liquid chilled and prevents it from solidifying.

Sugar Content

Sugar acts as a preservative in many foods. In beer, you won’t have to deal with the frosty pieces that affect a beer’s taste due to freezing. The sugar prevents water from condensing. As a result, it reduces the alcohol’s freezing point.

An image of a frozen beer

Related Questions

Is It Okay to Put Beer in the Fridge, Take It Out, and Then Put It Back?

Yes, you can put beer in the fridge, take it out, and put it back again without ruining it. Although, if this goes on for months, it will somewhat speed up the degradation. So, there is no danger in taking a beer from the store shelf to your freezer or taking a chilled beer home and storing it in a cupboard.

Can You Keep Beer in a Car Overnight?

No, you cannot keep beer in a car overnight because the temperature lowers, and water expands as it freezes. So, if you have a bottle of beer in your car, be aware that it could explode, leaving you with a mess. Remember to remove all your beverages from your car and store them in the refrigerator for the night.

What Is the Best Way to Keep a Frozen Beer From Exploding?

The best way to keep a frozen beer from exploding is by transferring it from the freezer to the fridge. Another option is if you open the can or bottle before the beer freezes, you can avoid an explosion. However, as the beer expands and freezes, some liquid may leak out.

Conclusion

Can beer freeze? Yes! What temperature does beer freeze? At 28 degrees Fahrenheit as most alcoholic beverages.

It is important to note that the freezing point depends on several factors, such as the amount of alcohol in the beverage. So, if you’re going to freeze a beer using a freezer, be on the lookout to avoid losing your beer stash to explosions.