How to pour beer correctly

A huge head of foam over a beer mug makes it difficult to enjoy the taste of the drink. Excess carbon dioxide causes stomach problems. Therefore, the ability to pour beer correctly is one of the main skills of a bartender. The science is not complicated, the main thing is to strictly follow the rules.

What is important when pouring beer into a glass?

Often, lovers of a foamy drink drink directly from a bottle or can. The reason is simple - they do not know how to cope with insidious foam. But the beer taste is enhanced if you pour the liquid into a glass glass. Most of the carbon dioxide escapes, leaving only a pleasant tingling bubble on the tongue.

75% of our perception of food depends on smell. Pouring beer into a glass releases the hop aromas, enhancing the enjoyment of the drink. The temperature of the liquid increases slightly, which also improves the taste. An important part of serving in a glass is the aesthetic pleasure of the appearance of the lace cap of foam.

Light and dark varieties of the drink differ in texture, so they are poured differently. It is recommended to pour light varieties faster. They contain little protein, so the foam settles quickly.

To pour beer correctly, you need to consider four factors:

• suitable utensils;
• tilt angle;
• spill rate;
• foam settling time.

It is important that the container with the drink is not shaken before opening. There should be no white flakes on the surface of the beer, and no dirt near the bottle cap.

Clean glass

There are different types of beer glassware - mugs, glasses with recesses for gripping, rounded “tulips”. The shape is selected depending on the style of beer:

• lager - tall glasses with a wide neck;
• ale - large wine glasses;
• stout and porter - smooth pint glasses;
• fruit beer - “tulip”;
• German lager - mug.

The shape of the dish helps to properly distribute gas bubbles and reveal the aroma of the drink. But whatever the form, the first condition for serving is the cleanliness of the glass. It needs to be washed thoroughly, rinsed from the inside with cold water, then wiped with a waffle towel until it shines.

To ensure that the liquid is evenly distributed inside, cool the dish - place it in the freezer for a while or put 2-3 ice cubes on the bottom. Remove the ice five minutes before pouring the drink.

How to hold a glass

The general rule is to tilt dishes of any shape by 45 degrees. If the glass is on the table, the poured beer will foam heavily. At right angles, the liquid hits the bottom, actively pushing out carbon dioxide. If you tilt the glass more than 45ᵒ, the jet hits the wall, also triggering the gas release reaction. The same thing happens when shaking the drink.

Pouring beer correctly

The glass is filled so that the liquid flows down the side of the glass. Gradually the glass is tilted, bringing it to a vertical position. The pouring speed should not be too slow - this interferes with the formation of a beautiful foam cap. You cannot serve the drink without any foam at all. The thickness of the “cap” should be approximately 2-3 cm. The Germans use the “three-finger rule” - this is exactly how thick the hat should be. The volume of foam depends on the type of drink and the shape of the container.

If you pour slowly, carbon dioxide enters the beer, reducing its aroma. To get a good head of foam, fill the glass to 70%. Shake the rest, then pour into a glass.

When pouring beer, avoid four things:

• touching a glass to a tap or bottle;
• inserting the tap too far into the glass;
• opening the tap partially not at full capacity;
• draining foam from beer.

Stop pouring in time to prevent foam from flowing over the edges of the glass. Choose dishes with the expectation that the “foam head” will occupy 2-3 cm from the top.

How long should beer sit?

There is a funny custom - blowing off the foam from the drink, supposedly revealing its aroma. But this is not necessary - just let the glasses stand for 2-3 minutes. If you serve the drink later, the foam head will subside significantly.

If too much foam forms during a spill, let the liquid sit for 5 minutes, then top up.

How to pour beer from a bottle correctly

A bottled drink needs to be poured especially carefully, as it produces more foam. The container must first be cooled, since a warm drink produces excess foam. It is important to know the temperature regime for a particular variety. Beer that is too cold loses its flavor. Light varieties are cooled to +6ᵒ, dark ones are sufficiently +7-12. Typically the label will indicate the optimal refrigeration temperature.

The drink is bottled immediately after the bottle is uncorked. The general rule is to hold the glass at an angle of 45 degrees and direct the stream along the wall. When half the glass is filled, it is transferred to a vertical position.

Do not pour out the entire bottle - it is better not to drink the remaining 1-2 cm thick at the bottom. It is loaded with yeast and can cause stomach pain. Among beer fans there are loversbody of yeasty taste. They are advised to shake the sediment and then carefully pour it into a glass. You can also roll the bottle on the table before opening it.

If you're pouring a pilsner, go a little faster. Stop when you've poured a little more than half the bottle into your glass. Wait a minute for the foam to settle, then pour in a little more. Wait again. Repeat until the bottle is empty. The Germans say that a good pilsner takes 7 minutes to pour.

How to pour beer from a can correctly

Let the jars sit in the refrigerator for at least half an hour before pouring. Open the container in a vertical position to avoid splashing. Tilt the glass 45 degrees and level the jar so that the stream hits directly in the center of the glass. When the glass is half full, hold it upright, then add the rest. This method gives the perfect layer of foam.

Serving canned beer should be treated no less carefully than other types. Proper bottling maximizes the taste of even inexpensive drink options.

How to pour draft beer correctly

Knowing how to fill glasses from the tap is not an easy task, since you have to take into account the supply of the drink. Guests should not receive leftovers full of foam. It is important to replace kegs on time and also to know how many spills you can get from one container.

When starting a new keg, it is better to drain 5 ml of the drink from the tap before replacing the glass. This will help clear the line of any beer that may have become stagnant or overheated.

To fill a glass, bring it as close to the tap as possible and tilt it 45 degrees. Pulling the handle, pour half the glass, then two thirds. Place the glass in a vertical position and top up.

The method of bottling nitro beer is slightly different. This drink is carbonated differently than traditional varieties - in addition to carbon dioxide, nitrogen is used. This technology makes the taste softer, but increases the pouring time of the drink. Having filled the glass with nitro at an angle of 45 degrees by two-thirds, you need to wait until the foam has completely settled. This takes approximately 2 minutes. Then the glass is poured to the top. Settling is necessary to obtain a beautiful hat with a silky texture.

You don't have to be an experienced bartender to know how to handle a foamy drink. Everyone can learn how to pour it correctly. All you need is practice and a deep respect for beer.