Unusual Product

[bossride]

Brand new to the site and looking for some information. I just returned from Richmond (NASCAR race) where I had the good fortune to be staying near the Capital Ale House in between races. I was intrigued not only by the 70+ beers on tap but by the beer glass chiller imbedded in the bartop. The chiller was metal and about 6 inches wide with a 4 inch "trough" set about a 1/4" below the surface that ran the full length of the bar. The chiller was frosted over like an old refrigerator freezer that had just recently been defrosted such that your glass actually sat in the frost and was kept cold the entire time you were enjoying the contents.

So, my questions are: Is this a commercial product? If so, who makes it? I have not seen anything like it before.

I apologize in advance if these questions have already been asked and commented on.

Geff

[barleyburps]

Sounds pretty neat, but I'd think it would keep the beer too cold. . .I like letting mine warm up as I drink it. . . and am not adverse to letting it warm before I drink it. . .

[Richard English]

As most who post here will tell you, the best beers do not need to be chilled to freezing. Depending on the style, the correct drinking temperature could be as high as 50 degrees for ales.

Any drink that needs to be served at 32 degrees is unlikely to be worth bothering with; after all, if you want an ice cream why not buy one?

[gallowd7]

Yep, even the best beers are relatively tasteless when they are that cold.
Maybe a good home product if you aren't allowed to "clog" up the fridge with beer.

[cul8rv8]

To answer the question, though, I don't know. :) I have seen it many places, though. We have a bar near downtown here in Vegas called the Ice House that has the same thing. I found that it doesn't really get the beer to 32 degrees. It's like setting your beer on top of a block of ice. It basically keeps it from changing temperature too much.

It's actually similar to what they use for mixing ice cream at Cold Stone or Maggie Moo's, if anyone is familiar with those. If you are, you probably know that the ice cream still melts, just not as much as it would on a warm surface.

[Vienna Lager]

Though the contraption sounds neat, I'm with Richard on this one. Most of the brews I drink are home brewed and usually get served at 'cellar temperature' as that is where they are stored unless I place a few lagers in the frig. before serving.

Most of what I drink taste good at 'cool' temps upon opening and pouring but as they warm up additional flavors come through which is part of the beer drinking experience.

[cul8rv8]

Not disagreeing with that point. My stout I have on tap right now I'm serving at 44 degrees, and as it warms up it gets even better.

[wortchillergoal]

Originally posted by Richard English
Any drink that needs to be served at 32 degrees is unlikely to be worth bothering with; after all, if you want an ice cream why not buy one?

Not yo be nitpicky anal, but 32 degrees is too warm for ice cream. How about a Coke Slushee?

I like my beer to warm as well. It is interesting to notice the slight to major changes in the flavor profile as the temp rises.

[Bob E.]

Problem: Beers' getting warm
Solution: Drink faster
:D

[Bob E.]

similar idea
http://www.grynx.com/projects/peltier-beer-cooler/
crazy computer nerds, with magic electrical heat sinks...