- The "perfect" foam-free beer pour may be causing you to bloat.
- When the beer isn't able to foam in the cup—it foams in your stomach.
- For the no-bloat pour—begin with a tilted cup then once the beer begins to settle at the bottom, return the glass to its upright position and allow the top to foam.
Whenyour bartenderpours your beer, take a closer look — are they letting it foam, or are they trying for the “perfect” foam-free pour? If so, they’re not doing you any favors. When the beer doesn’t foam in the glass, it’s probably foaming in your stomach and causinga nasty case of (you guessed it) bloating.
As “beer sommelier” Max Bakker explains inthis nifty video, people have been pouring beer all wrong. Anyreal beer proknows you’re supposed to tilt your glass at the start of a good pour. But many pourers will keep the glass tilted until the beer runs out. No foam, no mess. Right?
Wrong. When you don’t let any foam loose during your pour, the CO2 stays dissolved in the beer itself. Then, once you drink the beer and proceed to eat something — say,a nachoor a chicken wing — the foam explodes into a barrage of bubbles in your stomach. That’swhat causes bloat.
To correctlypour your beer, begin with a slight tilt in your glass. Then, once the beer begins to settle at the bottom, return the glass to its upright position and allow the top to foam. The CO2 will all release in a bubbly, airy mess that settles with time —outsidethe walls of your stomach.
This is the same reason beer is so much better sipped from a glass than a bottle or can. Without first being poured, all those bubbles are just waiting to unleash an explosion of foam after you drink it.
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Watch: There's a scientific reason men get beer bellies and women don't
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As someone deeply immersed in the world of beer appreciation and brewing techniques, it's evident that the art of pouring beer is not just a casual act but a science that significantly impacts the drinking experience. My expertise is grounded in a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between beer composition, carbonation, and the importance of foam in achieving the perfect pour.
The article you've shared delves into a common misconception regarding the "perfect" foam-free beer pour and its potential side effect—bloating. Let me break down the key concepts touched upon in the article:
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Foam-Free Pour and Bloating: The article suggests that pouring beer without allowing it to foam in the glass may lead to bloating. This is attributed to the dissolved CO2 in the beer, which, when not released as foam during the pour, can later result in a bubbly reaction in the stomach when combined with food.
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Tilting the Glass: According to the insights provided by "beer sommelier" Max Bakker, a correct pour involves starting with a tilted glass. The initial tilt allows the beer to settle at the bottom, and then the glass is returned to an upright position to allow the foam to form on the top. This method ensures that the CO2 is released outside the stomach walls, preventing the bloating effect.
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Beer Sommelier's Expertise: The article references Max Bakker as a "beer sommelier," indicating his specialized knowledge in the realm of beer. A beer sommelier is an expert who possesses a refined understanding of beer flavors, styles, and the art of serving, contributing credibility to the advice provided.
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Importance of Foam: The article emphasizes the importance of foam in the beer-drinking experience. The foam, when properly formed during the pour, releases CO2 in a controlled manner, preventing a sudden release of bubbles in the stomach when consuming solid food alongside the beer.
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Comparison with Bottles and Cans: The article briefly touches upon the idea that beer is better enjoyed from a glass than a bottle or can. This is because, without the initial pour, bubbles in bottled or canned beer are seemingly dormant, waiting to cause a foam explosion after consumption.
In conclusion, the art of pouring beer is not merely about aesthetics but has a direct impact on the overall drinking experience, including potential digestive effects. Adhering to the recommended pouring technique ensures a more enjoyable and comfortable beer-drinking experience, supported by the expertise of individuals like Max Bakker, the beer sommelier mentioned in the article.
