As a beverage expert with years of experience in the art of chilling, I can tell you that the optimal way to cool a bottle of beer is a topic that's been debated among enthusiasts for quite some time. Let's delve into the science and practice of chilling beer to find out how long you can put a bottle of beer in the freezer.

Firstly, it's essential to understand the ideal temperature for beer. The temperature at which beer is best served can vary depending on the type of beer. Generally, lagers are best served colder than ales, with the former being around 45-50°F (7-10°C) and the latter around 50-55°F (10-13°C). However, these are just guidelines, and personal preference plays a significant role.

Now, when it comes to chilling a bottle of beer in the freezer, the goal is to achieve the desired temperature as quickly as possible without causing any damage to the beer. Freezing a beer too quickly can lead to a phenomenon known as "freeze distortion," where the rapid temperature change can cause the glass to crack or the beer to become cloudy due to the rapid formation of ice crystals.

The initial reference you provided suggests that an ice-water bath can be more effective than a freezer alone. This is because water, when it's just above its freezing point, can absorb heat more rapidly than air. The cans of beer in the ice-water bath went from "warm to cold" in ten minutes, indicating a significant drop in temperature. However, it's important to note that cans are more conducive to rapid cooling than bottles due to their larger surface area and thinner material.

In the case of the ice-water bath, after the first ten minutes, the beer was cooled to 43°F (6°C), which is quite close to the ideal serving temperature for most beers. This suggests that an ice-water bath can be an excellent method for quickly chilling beer without the risk of freezing it.

When you decide to put a bottle of beer in the freezer, it's crucial to monitor the time closely. A general rule of thumb is that a bottle of beer can be placed in the freezer for about 15-20 minutes to achieve a good chill without the risk of freezing. However, this can vary depending on the initial temperature of the beer, the freezer's temperature setting, and the bottle's material and size.

To summarize, while the freezer can chill a beer quickly, it's not the most controlled method. An ice-water bath, as demonstrated, can be more effective and safer for chilling beer to the ideal serving temperature. Always remember to keep an eye on the time to avoid overcooling or damaging your beer.

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Popping the beer in the fridge will take an hour to cool down. Even just sticking the beer in the freezer would take a good 20 minutes or so. This is just way too slow on a hot summer day. So, here's how you can cool down a six pack in 3 minutes to the perfect drinkable temperature.read more >>