Enjoying a cold beer on a warm day in a pub garden or while relaxing at home is for many one of those true summer wins.
And now scientists have confirmed a chilled pint really does taste better. And apparently it is all down to how alcohol behaves at different temperatures.
Researchers measured the “contact angle” of different solutions made up of different concentrations of ethanol – a common form of alcohol – in water.
This meant they could gain an understanding of how the molecules interacted with eachother inside each mixture.
They found molecules made a pyramid-shaped structure in lower alcohol mixtures.
When they increased the concentration of ethanol however, they found the molecules would arrange themselves end-to-end, as if it were a chain.
Scientists also found these changes occured when temperature was used as a variable.
Solutions with five percent ethanol – similar to lager – they found there was an increase in the chain-like structures at 5C, reports MailOnline.
The scientists – writing in the Matter journal – say this explains why professional tasters often report a stronger ethanol taste in alcohol that has been in the fridge.
The taste of ethanol is described as being bitter but slightly sweet, meaning a stronger taste in a pint is often considered to be a good thing.
Lead author Lei Jiang, from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said: “This is why we drink cold beer.”
Researchers said the study could be used to try and achieve a taste similar to ethanol but with the lowest alcohol concentration possible.
