Beer Foam Basics: Why You Want a Nucleated Glass

Whether you call it foam, head, Kräusen or annoying bubbles, it is impossible to pour a pint of beer without a layer of foam developing at the top of the glass. No matter if you are a fan or not, the head of the beer is actually essential to the overall quality of taste. The amount of foam that develops can differ depending on the type of custom beer glass you use. Some are intended to produce more carbonation than others as in the case for nucleated glasses.

How the Foam Affects the Flavor of the Beer

The nucleation produced when someone pours beer collects at the top of the beer and produces a head. This head has a vast amount of flavors and aromas that can give you a delightful preview about what you are about to drink. Essentially, it is warming up your pallet to sense the many different flavors and levels of the brew.

The active compounds of the beer are carried throughout the beer through the carbonation bubbles that form. The nucleation also adds a physical taste to the beer much like you would get when you eat a mint and have a cooling effect or a hot chili and receive a warming feel.

How to Produce More Carbonation with a Custom Nucleated Glass

A nucleated glass is essentially a personalized glassware that has an etched image on the bottom. The rough surface collects the bubbles until they become buoyant enough to be lifted to the top of the glass. This type of glass drinkware can help develop a fuller head and enhance the flavors of your beer. As you let your drink sit, the head will begin to dissipate, but the etched surface can help sustain the foam for a longer period of time.