Who in the heck cares about how much head a beer has, and how long it lasts??

[Evan La Marr]

Last time I checked, a beer with a head that never went away was really annoying to drink, and the head added nothing to improve my experience in any other way. Why does it matter at all what kind of lacing a beer leaves on a glass, or how long the head lasts? IMO, it takes away from the volume of beer that could be in the glass.

To me, head is a stupid way to judge a beer. Change my mind. lol

 

[jschein]

I like long lasting head and lace

 

[jack13]

I like long lasting head and lace

Me, too.

 

[Drumminguy81]

Last time I checked, a beer with a head that never went away was really annoying to drink, and the head added nothing to improve my experience in any other way. Why does it matter at all what kind of lacing a beer leaves on a glass, or how long the head lasts? IMO, it takes away from the volume of beer that could be in the glass.

To me, (beer) head is a stupid way to judge a beer. Change my mind, if you have the capacity. lol

I'm with you on this, as long as my beer has a good crisp carbonation I prefer lower head and minimal retention.. it just gets in my mustache and impeades my consumption.

 

[AkTom]

I care... but not much. Either way, just give a beer please.

 

[brewbama]

Let Bamforth make the argument. If you don’t care I don’t care. https://www.emu.dk/sites/default/files/Bamforth_Review_Beer_Foam.pdf

 

[jack13]

Let Bamforth make the argument. If you don’t care I don’t care. https://www.emu.dk/sites/default/files/Bamforth_Review_Beer_Foam.pdf

HOLY SH*T !!!!!

 

[cloudybrewer]

Most of the time, I don't care. But I will say that my last hefewiezen had a tall head on every glass, and it really accentuated the banana smell, which was nice.

 

[mongoose33]

Let Bamforth make the argument. If you don’t care I don’t care. https://www.emu.dk/sites/default/files/Bamforth_Review_Beer_Foam.pdf

?? Not sure what argument he's making. The article is about what causes foam and affects its stability. I didn't see anywhere that he says foam is good. Did I miss?

I know that some argue the foam helps to bring aroma compounds up and out (or perhaps the bubbles), and I think that probably helps, but for me, the foam just tends to get in the way.

I'm perfectly ok with people liking what they like, especially when it comes to head on a beer.

*********

Some things we "taste" with our eyes. A nice head on the beer, nice lacing down the sides of the glass....these may be features some have come to associate with good beer. I wouldn't want to serve one of my beers without at least some head, though I usually work to minimize it. If I have 1/4" or 1/2" of head on a full glass, I'm usually happy about it.

 

[bracconiere]

I've personally never liked head. i only carb my beer to like 6-7 PSI just to avoid it...I find the only thing it does for my glass is make me sit and have to wait for it to go away so i can start drinking it!

 

[Schmoltsbeer]

I like correct carbonation and pour. If the kegerator is balanced the pour will not have much head. Similar when pouring from a bottle. I don't like a cup full of foam but that can be easily managed.

 

[bracconiere]

I like correct carbonation and pour. If the kegerator is balanced the pour will not have much head. Similar when pouring from a bottle. I don't like a cup full of foam but that can be easily managed.

head is for photo ops....just like how no one ever knows how to pour a glass on tv and they always show it spilling over the rim....I know it's supposed to make my mouth water, but i always just think i'll have to ask for a towel to clean it up!

 

[Schmoltsbeer]

head is for photo ops....just like how no one ever knows how to pour a glass on tv and they always show it spilling over the rim....I know it's supposed to make my mouth water, but i always just think i'll have to ask for a towel to clean it up!

Agreed!

 

[JohnSand]

I like it for the same reason I like color and clarity in beer: it's beautiful.
But I still drink it without those qualities if it tastes good!

 

[beernutz]

Head is part of the 3 Appearance points on the BJCP scoresheet.

 

[Die_Beerery]

Foam is a measure of a solid brewing process.
Now I am not talking about foam as it relates to a beer that is over carbonated or poured improperly. I am talking about a foam that looks like whipped cream, with no carbonation bubbles screaming towards the surface, as it displays it’s masterfully crafted headpiece that sticks around to the last sip.

With that said.. My KellerPils

 

[Lefou]

Foam is part of the sensory experience where the hop oils and proteins bond for your eyes and nose. If you sip a portion of the foam it should be dense, creamy, and nicely bitter.

 

[Redpappy]

I still consider myself as a new brewer, so here’s my story.....I went to a restraint a few weeks ago with the family. We ended up getting seated by the taps. I watched as the servers pored a fresh beer... many servers, many beers. In which I had i none. As I sat there and watched beers after beers get poured, I see no head... I’m thinking ... theses are no good.

To my understanding a properly carbonated beer ( all styles) should have a head on it. Depending on the make up, will determine how long it last ( still learning, so if im wrong please let me know). Well... there are othe4 factors such as a clean glass a such... but being general. So as I see these beers go buy, I think... dirty dishes or under carved beered.

Personally, more I get into homebrewed, I like some head that sticks around for a bit. A lot of head is a waste, and no head is not good.

 

[kh54s10]

I want some head. A beer without any head is usually not so great. Then again one with foam that lasts forever?? I have never had that happen. I had one that gushed foam when opening the bottle. I had to let it foam up out of the bottle and into the glass. It took about 5-10 minutes to pour a glass. I then waited another 5 or so for the foam to subside. Once it did the beer was great.

 

[jack13]

I want some head. A beer without any head is usually not so great. Then again one with foam that lasts forever?? I have never had that happen. I had one that gushed foam when opening the bottle. I had to let it foam up out of the bottle and into the glass. It took about 5-10 minutes to pour a glass. I then waited another 5 or so for the foam to subside. Once it did the beer was great.

Do you know if it was supposed to be like that? A couple years back I bought a 6 pack of a beer I got regularly, and it was just crazy foamy like you describe. Never happened again.

 

[kh54s10]

Do you know if it was supposed to be like that? A couple years back I bought a 6 pack of a beer I got regularly, and it was just crazy foamy like you describe. Never happened again.

Pretty sure no beer is supposed to foam out of the bottle when the cap is removed. But after the foam subsided the beer was very good.

 

[jack13]

Pretty sure no beer is supposed to foam out of the bottle when the cap is removed. But after the foam subsided the beer was very good.

Well now I'm curious, especially since you say it's very good...do you recall what beer it was?

 

[kh54s10]

Can't find it right now but it was a dark beer approximately 1.100 OG.

 

[OG-wan Kenobi]

I like a nice head on my beer I don't obsess over it but it needs to be there to complete the package in my opinion my wife on the other hand loves a creamy head (that's why I married her LOL)

 

[Jayjay1976]

Beer foam good. Make beer look hot.

Primitive logic, but beer suds are what lured early man out of his cave.

 

[passedpawn]

I spent some time in the Netherlands back in the 90's. I was really impressed by the care with which they served every beer. For example, the beer was ALWAYS in a matching logo'd glass, with a matching coaster. If you changed the beer, they would change the coaster and glass to match.

But the truly unique thing was their care of the beer head. The beer level was always at the middle of the glass's logo, and the foam was always scraped to leave the foam flat at the rim.

The purpose of the foam, besides the obvious aesthetics, is to leave a protective CO2 blanket on the beer to protect it from the effects of O2. It's mentioned in this video.

 

[GreenMonti]

Beer foam good. Make beer look hot.

Primitive logic, but beer suds are what lured early man out of his cave.

Lace on a pair of panties or an outfit............lace on the sides of a glass. A beautiful thing in deed.

 

[Bassman2003]

Foam is a measure of a solid brewing process.
Now I am not talking about foam as it relates to a beer that is over carbonated or poured improperly. I am talking about a foam that looks like whipped cream, with no carbonation bubbles screaming towards the surface, as it displays it’s masterfully crafted headpiece that sticks around to the last sip.

With that said.. My KellerPils

A work of art for sure. Was this from a keg pour or bottle? I find kegging sort of puts one at a disadvantage as creating foam often leads to letting too much co2 out of solution for the entire glass. I have gone to starting the tap with the glass down a bit, stopping, then pouring down the side to keep the carbonation in the beer. I hope to be at your level of foam one day!

 

[Die_Beerery]

A work of art for sure. Was this from a keg pour or bottle? I find kegging sort of puts one at a disadvantage as creating foam often leads to letting too much co2 out of solution for the entire glass. I have gone to starting the tap with the glass down a bit, stopping, then pouring down the side to keep the carbonation in the beer. I hope to be at your level of foam one day!

Keg.

 

[Bassman2003]

Nice!