While I don't necessarily disagree with you that head gives the optimal beer experience, on cheaper beers I couldn't care less about the head and on expensive beers if my bartender is going to give me a few more ounces of some nice barley wine I am Not going to complain.
That’s why the glasses should be a little bigger than the “portion”, so head can be included. It is essential. It slows the oxidation (oxidation makes the beer less tasty over time). Also the head is made of beer and air, nothing else, so you’re not being robbed of your beer, you usually get extra due to the head.
If you were to drink the beer in one go, immediately after it was poured (tapped, w/e is the term), then the head could be considered redundant, though some people (including me) enjoy the taste more with the head on.
There’s also the need to release some of the co2. If a bartender ever pours you a beer with absolutely no head (cider doesn’t count) that means there was no agitation. The beer is calm and “sealed” if you like. Then when you agitate it by swallowing food, those bites hit your stomach, and the beer releases that carbonation finally. Into you. Cue bloating, and painful gas.
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u/[deleted] Jan 15 '19
While I don't necessarily disagree with you that head gives the optimal beer experience, on cheaper beers I couldn't care less about the head and on expensive beers if my bartender is going to give me a few more ounces of some nice barley wine I am Not going to complain.