Have you ever wondered if beer can freeze? The answer is yes, it can! But at what temperature does it freeze?
In this article, we’ll explore the science behind beer freezing, what temperature it freezes at, and how to prevent it from happening. Whether you’re planning a winter party or just want to make sure your beer stays cold, this information is essential for any beer lover.
So grab a cold one and let’s dive in!
- Beer Freezing Point: At What Temperature Does Beer Freeze?
- The Science Behind Freezing Beer
- Factors Affecting The Freezing Temperature of Beer
- What Happens When Beer Freezes: Frozen Beer
- How Long Does It Take For Beer To Freeze
- How To Prevent Beer For Freezing: Three Tips
- Alternative Ways To Chill Beer Fast
- What To Do If Your Beer Has Frozen
- Conclusion: Does Beer Freeze And At What Temperature
Beer Freezing Point: At What Temperature Does Beer Freeze?
If you are looking for the short answer, here it is: yes! beer can freeze, the average freezing point of beer is at around 28 ºF or -2 ºC. The main factor affecting the real freezing temperature of a certain beer is its alcohol content. More on this below.
If you want to take an informed decision regarding in which conditions beer can freeze, such as chilling your beer in the freezer, storing it outdoors or leaving it in your car, then let’s go for the comprehensive answer.
The Science Behind Freezing Beer
Pure water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 degrees Celsius. Pure alcohol, or ethanol, freezes at -173 degrees Fahrenheit or -113 degrees Celsius (very low temperature!).
Beer is a mix of water and alcohol (in fact, there are some other impurities like sugar, carbon dioxide…). The freezing point of the beer depends mainly on the alcohol content, typically measured by ABV or Alcohol by Volume.
Wisdom pills:
What is ABV? ABV, or alcohol by volume percent, is a measure of the amount of alcohol present in a certain amount of a beverage, expressed as a percentage (%). It indicates the proportion of pure ethanol in the total volume of the drink, with higher ABV indicating a stronger concentration of alcohol.
ABV is a measure that is commonly used on the labels of various alcoholic beverages, such as beer, wine, and spirits. Different types of alcoholic beverages have different ABV ranges.
What takes us back to our topic: beer typically has an ABV range of 3% to 12%, while wine typically has an ABV range of 5% to 20%.
A standard beer bottle of 12 oz (335 ml) with an ABV 2%, will freeze faster than another bottle of the same size but with an ABV of 5%, because its amount of water is higher, and its alcohol content is lower.
The higher the alcohol content, the lower the freezing point, and the longer it will take to freeze in a freezer. A lighter beer will freeze sooner.
That’s why you can leave a bottle of vodka (ABV of 40%) in a standard freezer, and drink it at any time.
But a beer bottle or can will definitely turn in a frozen beer if left in a conventional freezer.
Now you know why beer freezes in your freezer but not vodka.
Factors Affecting The Freezing Temperature of Beer
Going more in depth, we know that beer is not only water and alcohol (ethanol). Beer contains minerals (being magnesium the most abundant), sugars, CO2 (carbon dioxide), essential oils and more. The combination of these elements is different for each type of beer.
In the end, it is these substances that give aroma, texture and color to the beer.
But ok, I understand you probably don’t want to know in exact detail of the beer chemistry. So I’ve put together a simple table showing you the main factors that will speed up or slow down the cooling of beer:
| Factors | If it is | Chilling Time is |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol Content | Higher | Longer |
| Sugar Content | Higher | Longer |
| Volume of Beer | Higher | Longer |
| Freezer Temperature | Lower | Shorter |
| Initial Temperature of Beer | Higher | Longer |
What Happens When Beer Freezes: Frozen Beer
"Friend" put some beers in my freezer and forgot about them.
by u/jorgeuhs in mildlyinfuriating
When beer is left in freezing conditions (in the freezer at home, in the garage in winter, in your car on a very cold night…), at temperatures below 28º Fahrenheit or -2º Celsius, the water inside the bottle or can will start to freeze. First, it will turn into a slush, becoming solid if left long enough.
28ºF or -2ºC is the temperature from which your beer will freeze, the glass bottle will break, and the can will explode. The flavor is no longer the same and it is probably flat, because the pressure has evaporated the carbonation.
So, definitely, yes, beer can freeze in a car and in any other outdoor situation.
If you are wondering if your beer will explode in your freezer, the answer is yes, because your freezer is usually below that temperature. A standard home freezer is recommended to be at around 0ºF or -18ºC.
Alcohol Content Percentage And Freezing Temperature Of Beer Chart
For your convenience, I have created the table below so that you can check at what temperature your preferred beer freezes.
| ABV – Alcohol Content By Volume | Freezing Point ºF and ºC |
| 3% | around 29.84 ºF and -1.2 ºC |
| 5% | around 28.25 ºF and -2 ºC |
| 7% | around 26.6 ºF and -3.0 ºC |
| 8% | around 25.7 ºF and -3.5 ºC |
| 10% | around 24.0 ºF and -4.4 ºC |
For instance, at what temperature does Budweiser freeze? Well, you check, and Budweiser has an alcohol content of 5%, so it will freeze at around 28.25 ºF, or -2 ºC.
Does Corona beer freeze? If you check in their website, Corona beer has an ABV of 4.6%, so yes, it freezes, at around 28.5 ºF and -1.9 ºC.
You can also deduce that an alcohol-free beer will freeze sooner than a normal beer, at around 32 ºF and 0 ºC.
How Long Does It Take For Beer To Freeze
If you want to chill your beer fast in the freezer, here you have an in-depth article explaining the ins and outs of how long to chill beer in the freezer without ruin it! plus some tips to do it faster and safer.
In case you want to know the short answer, yes, it is OK to chill a beer in the freezer and it takes an average beer about 10 – 20 minutes to chill. Longer than that, you risk finding frozen beer.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a glass bottle or a beer can, both will be frozen in the end. The water in the beer will expand, and the bottle will break and the can will burst.
However, it can be safe to chill a beer in the freezer, just follow the simple tips mentioned in the mentioned guide above and you’ll be fine.
How To Prevent Beer For Freezing: Three Tips
Tip 1: Don’t leave your beers out in icy conditions (like an unheated garage in winter). it’s best to store it in a place with a constant temperature above the freezing point (as seen above around 28 ºF or -2 ºC) or to use a specialized beer fridge that maintains a consistent temperature. Like this one that is highly rated on Amazon:
If you do not have so much option where to store your beers, follow the next tip.
Tip 2. Leave a wifi thermometer close to your beers, like this one:
It will send you an alert (text and push notifications and emails) to warn you when the temperature is getting too low.
Tip 3: Put the beer bottles or cans in an insulated container. It can be an old refrigerator not in use or a cooler.
Beverage coolers work in both ways: they can keep the heat out, but also the cold out. For even a higher insulation, add water inside the cooler, it will freeze before the beers.
This is a big Coleman cooler with capacity for 100 beer cans:
Tip 3 (kind of): Drink a higher ABV beer. Pay attention to the alcohol content of each type of beer you’re storing. Beers with higher alcohol content will take longer to freeze than those with lower alcohol levels.
Wisdom Pills: “Because it was transported across the freezing Baltic, Russian imperial stout was brewed with a high level of alcohol”.
Let me help you: Are you using the freezer to chill your beers, and you are afraid of freezing or exploding? Then I can recommend you some alternative methods for a quick chill instead of putting it in the freezer.
Alternative Ways To Chill Beer Fast
As someone who loves to enjoy a cold beer on a hot summer day, I understand the frustration of waiting for my bottle to get cold. We all agree, warm beer isn’t exactly pleasant.
It took me a while, but I found quite a few alternative methods that I use to quickly chill my beers without having to resort to the freezer.
You can read my guide: How To Chill A Beer Fast – 11 Ways & Chilling Times
What To Do If Your Beer Has Frozen
No one wants to open their freezer and find a frozen beer. But don’t worry, all hope is not lost!
If your beer has frozen, the best thing to do is to slowly thaw it out in the refrigerator. Don’t try to speed up the process by microwaving or heating the beer, as this could cause it to explode!
Most probably, your brew is totally flat because the carbonation has evaporated. It’s not anymore a bubbly beverage. Its taste has also changed. I personally hate to drink beer like this.
But, I don’t like throwing them away either. This is what I do.
Beer Margarita
Let the frozen beer thaw until it has the texture of a slush. In a big glass mix it with tequila, water and lime juice. Add as much crushed ice as you like. That’s it. You have the most refreshing combinado.
Conclusion: Does Beer Freeze And At What Temperature
In conclusion, beer can freeze, but with the right precautions, you can keep your brews cold and frost-free.
By storing your beer properly and monitoring the temperature, you can ensure that your favorite drink stays at its best.
So, the next time you reach for a cold one, remember these tips to prevent your beer from freezing and enjoy a refreshing drink without any unexpected surprises.
Cheers!