Below we list the proper drinking temperature for each of the beer sytles recommended under "Menu, Beer" above. At home you will have better control over the serving temperatures. At an actual Fest, in the heat of Autumn in Arizona or Colorado, the beer in a glass can quickly exceed the proper temperature. Thus, the recommendation to store and serve the beer at or below the proper temperature. There is nothing worse than a warm Pilsner with your brat.
- Märzen (Oktoberfest) 48 deg F
- IPA 50 deg F
- Pilsner 38 deg F
- Saison / Farmhouse Ale 38-55 deg F
- cheap, American lagers 33 deg F
For our operation in Colorado, we use two 2-tap jockey boxes with a 50-ft stainless-steel coil in each for best chilling. The lines are pressurized with CO2 to avoid any need to pump on them and to maintain uniform flow. The kegs are continuously fully iced on all sides.
I know, I know. This is ridiculous. How are we supposed to know the temperature of a beer in a glass? Well, before you have too much of a fit over it, go down to Home Depot and pick up a Klein Tools NCVT-41R Voltage Tester-Thermometer for about $38. It's in with the volmeters and stuff. It can detect presence of AC voltage just by proximity (not for your beer), but also has a laser-guided IR thermometer that can measure temperatures remotely over -22 to 482 deg F, and seems to be accurate to within a few deg F. Good for measuring the temp of hot water from your tap, checking refrigerator or freezer temps, oven temps, meat temps, etc. Have a look:
(click to enlarge)
That is all.