Ok, so you could put your beers in the fridge - or the freezer if you’re in a hurry - but hey who’s that organised? What if your friends turned up unannounced bearing fizzy gifts, or what if you’re out in the great wide open – the fridge is mighty heavy when you’re hiking, and the electric cable is never long enough! But don't worry, help is at hand...

SALT AND ICE CUBES

This technique was originally used for making icecream 200 years ago, and all you need is ice cubes, water, salt and your beer. First, put your beers into a container and pack them in with ice. Then add a splash of water and sprinkle with salt. The reaction requires energy which it borrows from your beer. The result? Nicely chilled beer in just a couple of minutes.

ABSORBENT PAPER TOWELS

This is probably the most famous method of effectively cooling your beers, since it does not require a lot of work and can be set up very quickly. Just wrap your bottle in kitchen paper (toilet paper is also possible), wet it liberally, then put it in a well-ventilated place and wait. A cool breeze works even better. And if you combine this with a freezer you’ll get cool beer in minutes!

THE SUN

Similar to the last top-tip, this one is often used by outdoors types. Simply wet a towal and wrap it round your beer. Set the whole thing in the sun and wait. As the moisture evaporates and the towel dries, it’ll chill your beer bottle to perfection.

FRUIT

Like raspberries for champagne or grapes for white wines, beer can also use frozen fruit to get its chill on. For example, it is not unheard of to use frozen lemon slices to refresh a glass of Hoegaarden - just use your imagination and the combine the beers and fruits you love.

THE FROZEN BOTTLE

A little less practical than the others, this technique requires a bottle of frozen water that you put in a glass jug. The coldness is spread to the walls of the jug, so simply remove the bottle pour your beer.

THE BIG FRIDGE

Of course, if it’s minus-fifteen outside, then you always have the option of opening the backdoor and putting your beers on the doorstep while you sit back and let Mother Nature do the hard work.

ONLY DRINK IMPERIAL STOUTS AND BELGIAN BEERS

OK, so this one is cheating, but if you stick to beers like Imperial Stout or Belgian Ales – Quadrupels and Dubbels – then none of this is an issue!

Discover informations about beers and wines.