How to Store and Serve Ale for Maximum Freshness and Flavour

Whether you’re an ale enthusiast or simply looking to try something new, one of the most important factors in shaping your overall experience is knowing how to store and serve ale. Proper storage and serving not only preserve freshness but also maximise flavour, making each sip more enjoyable. Buying ale online in the UK is an ideal way to enjoy a wider range and make the process simple and convenient.

At Fletcher Drinks, a leading online beer shop in the UK, we stock a wide range of ales, ensuring customers can find the perfect one for them. We understand that every beverage benefits from being stored and served correctly, enhancing the drinking experience. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the best ways to store and serve ale, helping you get the most out of its freshness and taste.

The Importance of Proper Ale Serving and Storage

Ale is a popular beverage option, due to its distinctive flavours and traditional brewing methods. As they are carefully produced to deliver fresh flavour, they are much more sensitive to heat and light, compared to other alcoholic beverages. Proper storage is important to ensure the unique taste and carbonation of the ale are perfectly preserved until the moment it’s served. 

Store in a Cool and Dark Location

One of the most vital steps that you should take when storing ale is making sure it remains in a cool and dark space. If ale is exposed to sunlight or heat, the flavours can be easily affected, causing it to taste slightly sour. To avoid this issue, store ale in a cool environment, like a shaded cupboard or cellar, with zero sunlight that will cause it to oxidise. 

Keep Ale Standing Upright

As well as placing your ale in a cool and shaded area, it is vital that you place the bottles into the stored location upright, avoiding them from rolling around or lying down. When you purchase ale online in the UK, it will need to be stood up and resting before serving, allowing sediment to settle and enhancing the overall flavour when it’s served. 

Serving at a Cool Temperature

The temperature at which you serve a beverage can greatly affect its taste and your enjoyment. Serving ale that is too chilled can block the underlying flavours, whereas, if it’s too warm, it can quickly become flat and be less flavoursome. Chilling it briefly before serving allows the drink to be slightly colder than its stored temperature without affecting the taste of the ale.

Pouring the Perfect Beverage

With many alcoholic drinks, the process of pouring the beverage into the glass can impact the overall carbonation and presentation. Holding your glass at a slight angle and pouring the ale onto the side of the glass rather than the bottom will allow the beverage to perfectly flow, creating a 1-2cm head. 

Serve in a Quality Ale Glass

When you buy ale online in the UK, the experience of enjoying a quality beverage is immediately enhanced. To elevate that experience even further, selecting the proper ale glass is key. Whether you choose a classic pint glass or a traditional tankard, the right glass can make all the difference to your enjoyment.

Pair with Favourite Foods

Drinks are often enjoyed alongside snacks, nibbles, or even a home-cooked meal. Purchasing ale online in the UK allows you to maximise the experience by pairing ale flavours with complementary food textures. Serving ale alongside a charcuterie board, BBQ spread, or spicy dishes is an excellent way to enhance the drinking experience.

Fletcher Drinks: The Leading Online Beer Shop in the UK

Buying ale online in the UK is a terrific way to try new options and enjoy your favourite beverages. However, once your order has been delivered, storing it away properly is key to keeping the beverage in optimum condition, ready to be served at a later time. When it comes to serving ale, carefully pouring it into your favourite glass and enjoying it chilled alongside a meal is the ultimate way to experience the full flavour and freshness that ale has to offer.

Trying to find a reputable online beer shop in the UK? Look no further than Fletcher Drinks. Supplying a wide range of beverages, including quality ales, you can unwind with a fresh, flavoursome ale, delivered straight to your doorstep. Upgrade your next gathering, dinner party, or social event with Fletcher Drinks. Buy ale online in the UK today and enjoy the convenience of a prompt, reliable alcohol delivery service.