Care of Bottled Beers

For the greatest enjoyment of bottled beers it is important that they are served so that their qualities are enhanced.

Leave to stand for a day to let the sediment settle. When pouring, if you want the beer crystal clear, proceed slowly and look through the bottle to see when the yeast starts to come through. Stop at this point. If you do not mind the yeast it will not harm you but the beer will be slightly hazy.

Because bottled beer is not filtered, and therefore retains all of its flavour, it also retains qualities which will produce a chill haze. This becomes apparent at temperatures approaching freezing. This is quite natural and will disappear once the beer is warmed up again. Keep at room temperature and only refrigerate just before serving (if absolutely necessary).

Refrigeration will make the beer too cold for your taste buds to recognise all of the flavours in these complex beers. Slightly warmer, or even room temperature will enhance your enjoyment.

Due to the nature of bottle-conditioning, a more mature beer may be highly carbonated. To ensure that the beer does not froth up too much on opening it would help to cool to about 10 degrees, especially in the summer. Have a glass close by just in case. If it is lively pour immediately!

Advice reproduced from the Durham Brewery.