As the phrase "Beer is the first thing" is often used, beer is integrated into our daily lives, and it is no exaggeration to say that it is the most popular alcoholic drink. There are many households that "have beer in the fridge all year round" to enjoy a glass after work or after a bath.
Even if you don't usually drink much, as summer approaches and the number of beer commercials increases, some people may find themselves captivated. The most attractive thing about beer is its rich foam. However, when you think about it, there are many other carbonated drinks out there, so why does beer foam feel so special?
So, this time we will reveal the secrets of beer foam and explain the points to make your beer taste even better.
The secret of beer foam
Foam has three important roles in making beer delicious.
1. The soft mouthfeel creates a contrast with the punchy taste of the carbonation.
2. Prevent the contents from coming into contact with air and losing their flavor.
3. It has the role of retaining carbon dioxide and maintaining the flavor.
There are many other drinks that use carbonation, but very few have a long-lasting foam like beer. The secret lies in the ingredients of beer. When a carbonated drink is poured into a glass, large bubbles form due to the force of the pour, followed by small bubbles of carbon dioxide rising from the liquid. Normally, the bubbles are lost as they escape from the surface of the liquid as gas, but in the case of beer, the ingredients envelop the bubbles, forming a layer of fine bubbles.
The proteins in the malt and the bitter components in the hops are what keep the foam from disappearing. This is the delicious relationship between the carbon dioxide bubbles that give beer its distinctive flavor and the bitterness of hops.
A must-see for beer lovers: "Three-pour"
The secret technique to making beer taste better when drinking at home is the "three-pour" technique, which is currently attracting attention. It can create delicious foam even with canned beer, so it's a technique you should definitely remember. This pouring technique has been passed down for many years in Germany and the Czech Republic, where beer has been drunk for a long time and where there is a culture that is particular about foam, but recently scientific research has produced results.
According to this, pouring the beer slowly while whisking activates the aromatic components and makes the foam that acts as a lid stronger. We'll introduce specific methods in the next section on tips for enjoying the drink.
To make beer taste better
Here are three tips to make your beer taste even better:
・Cooling temperature
It is said that beer loses its flavor if it is lukewarm or too cold. The ideal temperature depends on your preference, but it is around 6 to 8 degrees. It is best to keep the temperature a little lower in summer and a little higher in winter. If you are using a refrigerator, it is best to chill it for 3 to 4 hours before drinking. In hot weather, make sure to chill the glass as well.
How to wash glasses
Dirty glasses are not good for enjoying delicious beer. It is said that the quality of beer foam depends on how you wash the glass. Beer foam does not like oil, so if possible, use a special sponge and rinse thoroughly to remove any detergent residue. If you wipe the glass with a cloth after washing, fibers and dust may remain.
To improve ventilation, place the bottle upside down in a colander and let it dry naturally. Before pouring the beer, check to make sure there is no moisture left.
・Practice pouring three times
- Pour the beer from as high up in the beer glass as possible. Start slowly, then pour more forcefully to create as much foam as possible. Pour until the beer is full of foam.
- Wait about 2 minutes, and when the foam is halfway up the glass, gently add beer from the edge of the glass without losing the foam. The guideline is to add about 1cm of foam from the top of the glass.
- Pour the remaining beer before the foam falls to the inside of the glass. Be careful not to crush the foam. When the foam rises about 2 cm from the glass, it is done.
The foam lasts a long time, and you can enjoy a rich change in flavor from the beginning to the end of the drink. It requires a little patience, but if you're a beer lover, it's something you should try at least once. The foam ratio for good beer is 3:7. Let's challenge ourselves to aim for the golden ratio.
summary
・Foam plays an important role in making beer taste better.
・Beer foam is maintained because the ingredients envelop the air bubbles.
・The secret to delicious bubbles is "pour three times"
・Good beer requires advance preparation and patience
Beer is a familiar drink, but it is also very deep. Beer is loved all over the world, and many different types are now sold in Japan. Tasting and comparing many different types is a bit of a luxurious adult pleasure. Why not try to find your favorite brand while practicing the points to enjoy it?
Please come and have a beer at RIVERET.
