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When you think of beer, what comes to mind? A cool, frothy beverage at the end of a long day? A chilled pint on a sunny afternoon? At the heart of these scenarios is the allure of the tantalising beer foam crowning the top of your pint. There’s a reason why new bartenders are desperate to get the beer head just right for customers; maybe it’s from the fear of humiliation of serving a glass filled half with foam, or maybe they just want to master the perfect pour to impress. This article dives into the science behind beer foam, explaining why it’s so important, and how to get it just right.
There’s an intricate science at work behind the beer foam…
As an inherent part of the fermentation process, yeast consumes sugars in the beer, producing alcohol and carbon dioxide (CO2). This CO2 stays dissolved in the beer, contributing to its carbonation. Nucleation sites, minor irregularities on the surface of a glass or particles within the beer itself, provide a location for the carbon dioxide bubbles to form and rise. Upon pouring beer into a glass, the sudden decrease in pressure triggers the release of the dissolved CO2, leading to the formation of bubbles. Proteins, derived from malted barley or other grains used in the brewing process, act as surfactants, lowering the surface tension of the liquid and adhering to these rising CO2 bubbles, thereby building a stable foam structure. This foam structure’s stability is enhanced by the proteins, which form a network that entraps the carbon dioxide bubbles, stopping them from escaping rapidly and thus maintaining the foam for a longer period.
An array of factors impacts the quality and quantity of beer foam. The ingredients used, brewing methods, and even how the beer is poured and served can significantly influence the foam.
The beer’s raw ingredients hold the reins to the foam. Barley and hops contribute the proteins and iso-alpha acids, the fundamental foam-formers. The quality of these ingredients, along with the brewing technique, plays a key role in foam formation.
The boiling, fermentation, and conditioning phases of brewing have a significant influence on foam quality. Any discrepancy in these stages can hamper the foam’s longevity and stability.
The way beer is served also plays a critical role in foam formation. The cleanliness of the glassware, the temperature at which beer is served, and the pouring technique can all influence the beer foam.
The ideal serving temperature is 6-8°C for lagers and 8-12°C for ales, as the foam stability tends to decline at higher temperatures. The glass should be clean, and free of any oily residues that can hinder foam formation.
The pouring technique also matters significantly. Pouring the beer down the side of the glass and gradually straightening it helps regulate the release of carbon dioxide, leading to a perfect head on the beer. There are loads of resources on the internet such as YouTube videos you can watch to help you get that perfect pour if you’re a new bartender. Remember, practice makes perfect – nobody gets it right the first time, and there’s no need to be embarrassed if you do end up serving a very foamy drink to a customer.
If you’re a manager or one of our Trust Inns tenants, our advice would be to get any new recruits to do a few practice pours after shadowing your pint-pouring expertise.
Here at Trust Inns, we are proud to foster the dream of running your own pub, nurturing it from the early stages of aspiration right through to the point where you’re pulling pints with perfection. With our comprehensive portfolio of pubs to let across the country, we’re offering more than just bricks and mortar; we’re offering the opportunity to become a cornerstone of your community as the face of a local pub.
To those of you aspiring to become the tenant of a Trust Inns pub, we extend an invitation. Come and join us in the shared passion for creating the perfect pint, right from the intricate science of beer foam to the satisfaction of a well-poured brew. After all, success isn’t just about building a great pub – it’s about crafting the perfect pint, one foamy head at a time. At Trust Inns, we’re not just pulling pints, we’re pulling together. Take a look at our pubs to let today!