How to pour a beer? Why foam?

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Head brewster Jana Hajniková . Bernard Rodinný Pivovar, Czech
Republic.  Photo ©2008 Charlie Papazian

            First of all let’s talk about the quality of the beer foam.Have you ever noticed how some (by no means all) exceptional beers retain a dense, meringue-like foamy head and leave lacy bubble skeletons on the side of the glass? That’s a sign of two things. First, a beer-clean glass with no grease, soap, wax or detergent to interfere with bubble retention. Second, it is a sign of a brewer's perfectionist attitude. It's not easy to get that kind of foam quality.  A lot of factors go into the quality of the heady foam. Sudsy character comes from not only oils in the hops, but more importantly sturdy protein molecules skillfully derived from malt. Good malt, good hops, good processing, careful aging and more – all make it happen.
 

             Beer that displays a quickly dissipating head is a sign of a dirty glass or priority shifting by the brewer.  After all I've said, you might ask, who drinks foam?

            So what about pouring from a bottle?   There are a lot of beer types. Some have more carbon dioxide gas dissolved in the beer than others.   There are no set rules. I shoot for about 1 to 1-1/2 inches (that’s about 2.5 to 4 cm for you offshore drinkers) of settled foam atop a full glass. 

I start by tilting the glass and begin pouring slowly down the side of the glass. I observe how much foam is being generated. Ease up on the flow if lots of foam is being generated. Accelerate flow if little foam forms. As the glass fills I transfer my aim from the side of the glass to the middle of the beer, assuring that I achieve 1 to 11/2 inches(1-2 cm)  atop as a final tribute to the beer and the brewer.

 

With some beer and glass types I go for more foam to express the beauty of the moment.  With a lightly carbonated English style ale, I'm okay with a bit less foam, but expressy seek at least 1/4 to 1/2 inch atop these and any other brew to remind met that it's beer in and in a clean glass.