Experts Reveal the Fastest Way to Chill Beer—No Freezer Required!

Chill Your Beer Fast: The Ultimate Summer Hack

As summer heats up, hosting a BBQ with ice-cold beers is essential—but forgetting to chill drinks can ruin the vibe. Luckily, a study by consumer group Which? reveals the quickest way to cool your brews without a freezer.

The Winning Method: Ice + Water + Salt
The most effective technique combines ice, cold water, and salt. Salt lowers water’s freezing point, creating a sub-zero slush that chills bottles faster. In tests, this method dropped beer temps from 20.5°C to 1.6°C in just 30 minutes. After an hour, beers neared 0°C!

Other Methods Ranked
Here’s how popular hacks stacked up (30-minute results):

1. Ice + Water + Salt: 1.6°C
2. Ice + Water: 3.9°C
3. Freezer (middle shelf): 7.8°C
4. Wet Tissue in Freezer: 8.9°C
5. Fridge (bottom shelf): 16.9°C

Avoid These Duds:

• Running beer under cold tap: Only cooled to 18°C.
• Bucket of tap water: Similarly ineffective.

Pro Tips

• Freezer Caution: While effective, bottles may burst if forgotten.
• Evaporation Hacks: Wet flannels or breezy spots are “too much effort” for minimal cooling.

Serving Temperatures Guide

• Lager: 5°C–8°C
• Champagne: 8°C–10°C
• Red Wine: 12°C–18°C

So, grab salt and ice for frosty drinks in a flash—your guests will thank you!

Methodology: Which? tested methods using bottled beer; results are repeatable. Full study here.

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