The icy beer dilemma in warm climates
When it comes to enjoying a good beer on a hot summer afternoon, the challenge is not only to choose the one we like, but also keep it at the ideal temperature. If you have ever found your gold refreshing transforming into a hot sip in a few minutes, you are not alone. However, a recent study of CLAUDIO C. Pellegrini, of the Federal University of São João Del-Rei in Brazil, has shed light on the intriguing relationship between the design of the glass and the art of conserving our favorite favorite drink very cold.
Why does it heat up so fast?
Imagine a warm day on the beach: the sun shines, the wind blows and your beer feels as frozen as the north pole … at the beginning. In ideal conditions, such as a fresh 10 ° C climate, a beer served at 4 ° C can maintain that freshness for approximately 30 minutes. But, on the opposite stage of a burning beach at 38 ° C, that time is reduced to only 3 minutes. What happens to our faithful friend beer? The answer is in multiple factors, including the thickness of the vessel and how it interacts with the heat of the environment.
Heat sources in the beer world
The heat that enters the glass comes mainly from the surface of the glass and the upper part of the exposed liquid. Factors such as ambient temperature, thermal conductivity of the glass material and external conditions, such as wind, significantly influence this dynamic. Pellegrini decided to address this scientific enigma designing a mathematical model that facilitates the creation of a glass capable of minimizing heat transfer.
How is the optimal glass achieved?
Pellegrini’s study uses the differential equation to describe heat transfer in a glass of beer, helping to understand how the shape of the glass can be adjusted to keep the cold drink. But wait, there is even more: this technique allows not only to understand how beer heats up, but also design a glass that maximizes the volume and minimizes the area exposed to heat.
Mathematics in action
The formula behind the ideal design generates a curve that determines how the shape of the vessel should be to keep the cold as long as possible. The result is a series of vessels that begin narrow at the base and widen towards the upper part, which allows them to retain more liquid in a space that, in turn, is less susceptible to heat. Almost like a mathematical work of art, but in glass!
The dimensions that make a difference
The analysis revealed that the optimal vessels have particular characteristics depending on their use. Here is a summary of the ideal dimensions of some classic vessels according to the study:
| Glass type | Height (mm) | Upper diameter (mm) | Volume (ml) | Parameter C1 (1/m) |
| Brazilian tulip | 190 | 105 | 300 | 117.0 |
| Imperial Pint | 143 | 120 | 568 | 71.5 |
| American painting | 149 | 100 | 473 | 93.0 |
| Weizen glass | 213 | 79 | 591 | 78.5 |
| Beer jug | 156 | 89 | 473 | 86.3 |
From the beach laboratory
And what about real life? This study is not just an academic exercise. Vas manufacturers have the opportunity to design containers that ensure a refreshing experience, even in adverse conditions. But the recommendations do not end there; It is suggested to make foam layers, avoid direct sun and opt for surfaces that isolate to combat heat transfer from the base of the vessel.
A cooler (and scientific future!)
Science and mathematics are found in an unsuspected corner of our lives: the ideal vessel for beer. This Pellegrini study opens the door to future research that could discover even more formulas and strategies to enjoy a perfectly cold beer. Who knows, perhaps in a not too distant time, science provides us with the following levels of freshness that make each sip a celebration itself.
