Study Asks if Beer Stays Fresher in Bottles or Cans
What do you get when you give a team of scientists a truckload of beer?No, this isn't a joke — the answer is high-quality research, of course! Researchers in Colorado have been finding out whether beer stays fresher in a can or a bottle.Many people will have their own preference, but the scientists wanted evidence.And they got it — but found that the answer depends on the type of beer. They tested two types in this study — amber ale and India pale ale (IPA).They found that amber ale stayed fresher in bottles, while it didn't really make a difference whether IPA was in a bottle or a can.This took them months of research. The beer was put into glass bottles and aluminum cans, then kept cold for one month before being stored at room temperature for another five months.This was designed to replicate typical storage conditions.During those six months, researchers opened a new container every two weeks to test the beer.A beer's flavor changes as soon as it is put into its container, as chemical reactions break down some of the drink's components and form new ones.These changes can make a beer taste unpleasant as it gets older.While all the beer changed over time, the scientists noticed that the make-up of the amber ale differed significantly depending on the container. There was "a reduction in the chemical stability" of the amber ale when it was kept in cans, they wrote.The next step for researchers is to find out precisely how these changes affect the beer's flavor.But study co-author Katie Fromuth said if people want to drink beer at its best, the most important thing to consider is how long it has been in its container. Simply put, the longer it is stored, the less fresh it becomes.Fromuth also confirmed that no beers were drunk during the testing!
Questions:1. Discuss the findings made by the researchers in Colorado on what container is best for beer.2. Detail how the 6-month study was conducted.3. What exactly will they try to find out next?4. Are there any drinks that you used to enjoy but no longer like? What changed your opinion?5. Are there any traditional alcoholic drinks from your country that you enjoy?
