What temperature does beer freeze at?

[BrewOnBoard]

A boat neighbor of mine is a genius I have just decided. He saw me brewing and mentioned that he brews each fall to have beer for the winter. I found out that he uses a corny keg, which I though was odd considering we boat folk have small fridges. Then came the genius: He just leaves the keg outside....

This got me thinking (the excuse I need to buy a corny!) about doing it myself, but what about the risk of the beer freezing. I'm in a slightly colder spot than he is.

I know alcohol solution lowers the freezing temp based on proof, but can anyone give me the formula for freezing temps and ABV? I'd hate to freeze a corny solid!

BrewOnBoard

 

[doggage]

32 F in my experience freezes a bottle of beer right up.

 

[remilard]

32 F in my experience freezes a bottle of beer right up.

I cold condition all my beer at 30, none of them freeze there.

 

[annasdadhockey]

I would say anything under 32F would at least freeze the liquid portion that is not alcohol(probably 95% of your beer), thus rendering the corny useless.

 

[humann_brewing]

The answer is, it depends.

check here for more details but basically is based on alcohol content

http://kotmf.com/tools/alcohol.php

A pretty standard 5% beer will freeze at 28F

 

[doggage]

If you're thinking about leaving it outside and worrying about it freezing, I'm assuming you're not going to be concerned about a 4 degree difference due to alcohol content. Anything close to 32 you're risking freezing it, which you do not want to do--even if it thaws out by noon the next day when you're ready to drink.

 

[HalfPint]

Look, I don't feel like getting you the facts and posting them, but I know that since beer is typically around 5% ABV it doesn't have that much of a difference from regular water, so it tends to freeze at around the point of water.

 

[ClaudiusB]

humann_brewing A pretty standard 5% beer will freeze at 28F

Correct

Read post #5
Most substances added to the water will cause a freezing point drop.
http://www.realbeer.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=16390&highlight=Freezing+point


Cheers,
ClaudiusB

 

[-TPM-]

Since you're on a boat could you maybe submerse the corny in the water? you'd just have to worry about the beer line then (unless it got super cold).

 

[khiddy]

Now sounds like the optimal time to discuss the Eisbock style of beer. Today is (was, for you easterners) the one day each year when Samichlaus Beer, one of the strongest available, is brewed in preparation for the freeze-reduction that takes place over the next few months to concentrate the flavors and strength.

http://www.germanbeerinstitute.com/Eisbock.html (discussion about the style)
http://www.beerhunter.com/documents/19133-000100.html (Michael Jackson's reflections on Samichlaus)
http://beerdujour.com/Recipes/Jamil/Steve's_50_Eisbock_grain.html (Jamil Z's recipe for "Steve's 50 Eisbock")

 

[david_42]

There's more to the problem than just the freezing point. Water will freeze out at 32F IF there is nothing keeping the solution mixed.