Pouring the perfect head on your beer is a skill that is sure to be well respected and appreciated by all consumers. Nothing is worse than having someone pour you a beer only to watch alcohol abuse first hand as the beer flows over the top of your glass. Or the buddy that tries to compensate by filling your glass up halfway to ensure that he doesn’t spill. Each beer has a special technique to ensure a quality pour.
First of all, what is the importance of pouring good head into a beer? There are a few reasons why the pour of a beer makes a huge difference. The delicious, foamy, bubbles, that rush to the top of your beer upon pouring are a result of a gas typically carbon dioxide rising to the top. Other than igniting the flavor of your beer, the perfect amount of head gives off an aroma that is sure to get the party started. And not to mention, there are few things prettier than a tall blond ale with perfect head.
Tips to a Perfect Pour
To begin with, one of the most important aspects to consider is who are you pouring the beer for? Each individual situation and person should dictate the amount of foamy head you pour on each beer. For example say you’re at a Mariners game and you just spent $9 on a beer that will be gone by the 2nd inning. While respecting the science behind good head it is not at the top of your priority list because lets face it, too much foam in a beer takes away from the total ounces per glass. And you certainly don’t want to pay $9 for a 10 ounce beer in a 12 ounce cup. The next scenario, your pouring a nice ale for your dad who instantly just became the biggest beer critic alive. The pressure is on, its time to claim your manhood and deliver him the perfect amount of foam.
After analyzing your target market, check your glasses. It is absolutely crucial that you use a glass that is completely clean. Any amount of oils or fat from cooking will instantly diminish the amount of foam, as the bubbles will stick to the bottom or sidewalls of the glass. The glass itself is non-porous and therefore will not retain oil but the surface can and will sabotage your pour. On the flip side, even the slightest amount of water in the glass will also ruin the chemical reaction of the rising of carbon dioxide and leave you with a flat dull beer.
Finally the Pour!
For most beers simply angle the glass to about 45 degrees. Pour the beer softly so that it hits about halfway up the glass. As the beer reaches this halfway mark depending on how much head you like, tilt the glass completely vertical and pour the remaining beer directly into the glass. Generally, you should shoot for between a finger width and about an inch and a half of foam at the top of your beer. To increase the amount of head in your beer tilt the glass completely upright before reaching the halfway point. To reduce the level of head, simply keep the angle and pour gently until the beer is full.
Use these tips to fully enjoy the craftsmanship behind each beer. While good head can easily be overlooked, please help others to understand the importance of a good pour. One final means of impressing your date, buddies, or just treating yourself is to strategically place a couple glass mugs in the freezer. Soon enough you will be left with an ice cold, frosty mug to elevate the beer drinking experience to professional levels!
Justin Whitman
I definitely didn't know there was such a science behind pouring beer! Aside from the 45 degree angle, that was basically all new information to me! Well done, sir. Who knew there was so much involved in great head.
ReplyDeleteAnytime Mr. Grah, I'm glad you found this information interesting as well as useful!
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