Science

Beer science: This popular glass keeps your brew coldest, says physics

Beer science: This popular glass keeps your brew coldest, says physics
Which glass shape reigns supreme in keeping a beer cool? One of these is not like the others
Which glass shape reigns supreme in keeping a beer cool? One of these is not like the others
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Which glass shape reigns supreme in keeping a beer cool? One of these is not like the others
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Which glass shape reigns supreme in keeping a beer cool? One of these is not like the others
Typical portable liquid container device
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The typical portable liquid container device

Optimum glass shape of the imperial pint (center) and American pint (right)
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Optimum glass shape of the imperial pint (center) and American pint (right)

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How do you keep a glass of beer cold the longest? By using science, of course. At least that's what one researcher has turned to, finding the optimal shape of vessel that will keep a poured beer chilled for as long as possible while you drink it.

Claudio Pellegrini, a professor of thermal and fluid sciences at Brazik's Federal University of São João del-Rei, has filtered the problem down to a fundamental mathematical formula for various clear beer glass designs, focusing on several popular designs: the Brazilian tulip, Imperial pint, American pint, Weizen glass, beer mug and the 'super' mug.

While Pellegrini kept it simple by excluding variables such as heat transfer from hands or the impact of foam, he homed in on the shape of the glass to determine the most efficient design for cold beer.

"In tropical countries like Brazil, a recurring problem is how to keep it cold during consumption, especially in coastal regions," he noted.

In his work, he focused on the curvature of the glass, noting that people have an aesthetic preference for clear vessels and that most would come with some sort of insulation at the base.

Typical portable liquid container device
The typical portable liquid container device

"The process is quite straightforward here: a request is made for a beer, the waiter delivers it, it is served, it is consumed. Repeat," Pellegrini explained. "Once poured in the glass, the beer begins to exchange heat with its surroundings, a process that lasts until it attains thermal equilibrium with the environment (including the glass), a result that essentially nobody wants. Depending on the initial temperature difference between the beer and the surroundings, within a short period of time the drink may become unsuitable for consumption.

"In the most critical scenario, such as at the beach on a 38 °C (100 °F) windy day, as few as three minutes may be sufficient," he added, "to render the beer undrinkable."

Now, it's clear from the study that Pellegrini has had to suffer through a few too many warm beers in his time. But it's a fascinating study that shows how there's more to the shape of a glass than what meets the eye.

Ultimately, his assessment of optimal minimal heat transfer, landed on a shape that already exists – the classic pilsner beer glass. This vessel, which is typically narrow at the bottom and wide at the top, with a steady curve, proved to – mathematically speaking – superior to all other types.

Optimum glass shape of the imperial pint (center) and American pint (right)
Optimum glass shape of the imperial pint (center) and American pint (right)

While he acknowledged that the best glass might be one so small that the beer is finished in no more than a few mouthfuls, his aim was to uncover the vessel that lets one savor their drink a little longer.

"Potential areas of further investigation include allowing the base of the glass and its body to exchange heat with the ambient, including radiative heat transfer and/or conduction heat transfer through the foam," the researcher noted.

Pellegrini also said that, aside from personal interest, he had a motive for this study – to get students more engaged with an often abstract and dry area of learning.

"The primary goal, of course, was to enhance engineering students’ interest in physics and mathematics," he concluded. "However, a secondary yet crucial application of the present results was to safeguard the quality of our beers."

The research was published on the preprint server arXiv.

Source: Federal University of São João del-Rei via phys.org

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6 comments
6 comments
Tech Fascinated
As I read this my hot coffee is getting cold. Analysis please... ;)
Username
How about actually testing various glasses.
Douglas Rogers
A co worker of mine almost came to blows with a waiter for serving a beer too cold. It was supposed to be 50 F.
windykites
How about a container made from say, 6mm thick PU foam plastic made to fit specific standard glasses? Supplied by the bar. These would be re-usable.
I will try this out!
Tech Fascinated: My daughter bought me a metal coffee mug with a double wall, like a vacuum flask. The drink stays warm for a hour!
By the way, those 'optimal' glass shapes look really impractical!
moreover
I have a beautiful double walled tea glass - but the effect of the insulating side wall is nixed by the fairly large diameter at the top.
Karmudjun
Nice article Bronwyn. The professor backs up his hypothesis with elegant proof - unfortunately some who read you or newatlas don't recognize the real world applicability of complex mathematical proof - ie. real life data. If ever I end up in Minas Gerais, Brazil, maybe I can have a beer or two with Claudio Pellegrini, but I'll be damned if I use a German Beer Stein in the heat of Brazil - based purely on common sense, that uncommon characteristic some readership posses.