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As a teaser for the upcoming World Draught Master’s finals I was recently the guest of Stella Artois at a preview event held at Mayfair’s swanky Cuckoo Club.

We were given a beer-drenched lecture by Marc Stroobandt, Stella Artois’s very own expert draught master, in the science and technique necessary to pour the perfect glass of his Belgian lager. According to Marc, this involves strict adherence to the nine steps required to pour the beer properly:

1. The Purification:
Use clean and rinsed branded glass.
2. The Sacrifice:
Open the tap in one quick action and let the first drops of beer flow away.
3. The Liquid Alchemy Begins:
Hold the glass just under the tap without touching it at a 45° angle.
4. The Head:
Lower the glass to allow the natural formation of the foam head.
5. The Removal:
Close the tap quickly and move the glass away so beer doesn’t drip into the glass.
6. The Beheading:
While the head foams up and overflows the side of the glass,
smooth it gently with a head cutter.
7. The Judgment:
The right amount of foam is usually about 2 fingers .
8. The Cleansing:
Clean the bottom and sides of the glass.
9. The Bestowal:
Present the beer on a clean beer coaster with the logo facing the consumer.

At the end of the demonstration we all got to have a go under Marc’s supervision. My first effort was aborted half way through, but second time around I got close to perfection. The best bit of course was getting to drink the beer (and a few more) afterwards.

To get to see the real talents at work watch out for the UK Draught Master’s finals on 13 October 2010 followed by the World Draught Master’s finals on 28 October 2010 at Old Billingsgate.

Peter Clee

More Info: World Draught Master’s finals