There's a difference between a clean glass and a "beer clean" glass. We have the inside scoop from a Cicerone about what a clean beer glass actually looks like, and how it behaves. To ensure you're serving beer in the cleanest glass possible, check out these tips below.
How to tell if your beer glass isn't totally clean:
- 1. Bubbles - Bubbles clinging to the side of your glass is a telltale sign that there's detergent residue and oils left behind on your glassware.
- 2. Rapidly dissipating head - Disappearing foam and foam that doesn't cling to the side of the glass as you drink it is another clear sign that your glass needs another rinse.
- 3. No horizontal rings - Horizontal rings should appear around the glass as the customer enjoys his or her beer. If these rings do not appear, foam isn't clinging to the glass as it should.
How to ensure your beer glassware is clean for every pour:
To check whether your glassware is beer clean, perform one of the following tests (taken from the Brewer's Association Draught Beer Quality Manual, p. 51):
- Sheeting Test: Dip the glass in water. If the glass is clean, water evenly coats the glass when lifted out of the water. If the glass still has an invisible film, water will break up into droplets on the inside surface.
- Salt Test: Salt sprinkled on the interior of a wet glass will adhere evenly to the clean surface, but will not adhere to the parts that still contain a greasy film. Poorly cleaned glasses show an uneven distribution of salt.
- Lacing Test: Fill the glass with beer. If the glass is clean, foam will adhere to the inside of the glass in parallel rings after each sip, forming a lacing pattern. If not properly cleaned, foam will adhere in a random pattern, or may not adhere at all.
How to properly clean beer glassware:
This video gives a quick, 3-minute rundown on the proper way to clean glassware:
Whether you’re serving beer in a brewery, bar, hotel, or restaurant establishment, it's essential to serve out of clean glassware. To get more information about bar equipment like a Perlick beer glass rinser, click the button below.
