How come some German or Belgian beers have a thick head, and some a soapy one that resembles bubbles; which is

Question

the more indicative of a good beer?

Answer 1

The head on a beer is not an indication of whether its good or not. Its simply to do with the way in which it is brewed.

Many commercial lagers, such as Bud, have no head at all when poured properly. A stout like Guiness, or a bitter like many British or Belgian beers, have thick,rich heads. But its to do with the science of the individual brewing process, which differs between different types of beer (not simply between different brands...most lagers for instance are made in largely the same way). So a beer with OR without a head can be delicious or disgusting!

Answer 2

The Taste is the indicator, not the head.

The Belgians are not bound by the German "Reinheitsgebot" which doesn't allow any chemicals to be used in the brewing. Many breweries use chemicals to inhibit foam while fermenting, so they have to add different ones afterwards to make it get a head at all. I think Budweiser just can't be bothered, their product should not be mentioned in the context of beer anyway.

The head is dependent on too many other things, too, to be taken as an indicator for quality. The temperature of the glass, has it traces of detergent clinging to its surface, the temperature of the beer, the speed with which it is drawn, they all influence the consistency and look of the head, and it can be different in the same beer under different circumstances.

Apart from anything else, people's taste is different, what's a good beer for me might not be your choice at all. I know for a fact that there are people who prefer Budweiser to beer! ;-)

Answer 3

It depends how much protein is in the beer and what gas is used to carbonate. Beers, like Guiuness, use a combination of carbon dioxide and nitrogen, which gives it small bubbles. Wheat beers have a lot of protein, which gives it a long lasting head.