There’s nothing like a nice, refreshing bottle of beer to help you relax after a tiring day. But before you chug down your liquor store haul, take the time to learn about how to appreciate your drink best. Here are a few mistakes you should avoid when drinking beer for an enhanced drinking experience.

3 Beer Drinking Mistakes You Shouldn’t Do

1. Drinking Ice-Cold Beer

Though some people tend to think that ice-cold is the best way to have your beer, it’s not always the case. Drinking ale at a very low temperature can take away from the experience of tasting its unique flavors. A low temperature prevents carbonation, which in turn, results in less aroma.

It can also numb the tongue from appreciating the brew. The recommended temperatures for tasting beer are 42 to 48 degrees Fahrenheit for lagers, 44 to 52 degrees Fahrenheit for ales, and 55 degrees Fahrenheit for stouts. 

2. Stocking Beer for Too Long

Beer is best served fresh, ideally a few days after it has been brewed and bottled. However, beer drinkers are guilty of keeping their bottles or cans in the fridge for weeks, even months. Old beer loses its flavors and can even taste musty or stale. When you go to the liquor store for beer, avoid buying more than you’ll be drinking over the next few days. It’s better to take more trips to the liquor store than to endure a less-than perfect drink.

3. Swirling the Beer

You’ve probably seen sommeliers swirling their wine before sniffing it and taking a sip. Don’t do this with beer. Wine is swirled to release its aroma and allow the drinker to look at how the liquid clings to the glass, an indication of its body and sweetness level. If you do this with beer, it will only release carbonation and cause you to lose the head or the foamed part on top.

If you’re looking for a liquor store in New Milford, NJ, check out Barrel & Brew. This wine store offers a wide range of liquor, including beer, drink mixers, wine, craft beer, and spirits. They also have an outdoor patio where you can enjoy your drinks. Through a partnership with local restaurants, they also offer in-house charcuterie boards that can pair well with your ale, lager, or stout. Call (201) 261-4400 or visit their website for more information about their products and services.