Part 1 of Always Drink Your Beer from a Glass: Your Gut will Thank You!
I have been guilty of drinking my beer directly from the bottle or can for years. Often it was out of convenience. We would be hanging out by a bonfire with friends (so I didn’t want to keep up with the glass,) or most often, I didn’t want to dirty another glass. This summer, I made the switch to pouring my beers into a glass whenever possible -- I can admit when I’ve been wrong, and BOY have I been wrong! Making the effort to drink my beer from a glass has changed my life!
I’m kind of known for my boisterous burps. I know, it’s not very lady-like, but you’ve got to let it out when the pressure builds up! In some cultures, a burp is considered a complement to the chef, or in this case the brewer. Besides the burping, I would often feel very full after drinking a beer. Sometimes too full to fully enjoy my black bean burrito or the meat that was carefully smoked all day by a friend. No more since the pour! Pouring your beer into a glass will release some of the gases, which would otherwise build up in your stomach, making you feel full and bloated. There are lots of reasons (See Part 2) to pour your canned and bottled beers into a glass, but this one is at the top of the list for me.
Depending on the style of beer, your carefully brewed beverage could be packaged with enough CO2 for 2-3 beers. On average, about 2.5 beers worth of CO2 are in each bottle or can.
I had been taught to pour slowly onto the side of the glass. This technique causes minimal disruption, and helps the CO2 to stay in solution in the beer. This method would be most beneficial in situations where a beer may sit out for a while. For example, at a restaurant your beer may sit at the bar for a bit before your server is able to bring it to you.
This, however, is not the ideal method when you are pouring for immediate consumption! Conserving the CO2 in your brew could leave that two-and-a-half beers’ worth of CO2 in your glass. If you drink that entire beer as is, you will likely feel the beer bloat and belch like I used to! Check out this great video to help you with your pour and to recap the above.
Bubbles are important in beer production and consumption. When you pour make sure you allow for the bubbles to form. The beer head is part of the brew magic. Other carbonated beverages like champagne or Diet Coke, quickly lose their bubbles as the CO2 rushes to the top of your glass and escapes into the surrounding air. Why do these bubbles foam up and stay on the top of your beer? PROTEIN! The protein structures provided by the ingredients in the wort used in the brewing process provide structure and support to the bubbles forming the head. This is also why different brew styles produce different heads! If you are enjoying your beer from a can or bottle, you’re missing out on the beautiful alchemy of the head completely!
I hope from now on you will consider a pour to better relish your brew!
Remember, your gut will thank you!
These Libbey Beer Glasses are a great starter set!
