O-20
Best practices: How to manage the beer foam quality
Presenter: Frank Verkoelen, Haffmans BV, Venlo, Netherlands

After the EBC seminar about beer foam quality in 1998, the NIBEM Foam Stability Measurement method has become the only certified EBC-foam measurement standard. This standard has been integrated into the EBC-Analytica since December 2003. Various factors influencing the foam stability are described, including the way to eliminate these very factors. An early recognition of the foam quality of the end product from the lager tank enables the brewery to take the necessary actions at an early stage in order to positively influence the foam stability of the beer in question. Moreover, the latest developments in beer foam are highlighted, which means the property of beer foam to adhere to the glass wall, called "foam cling." This additional information gives the brewery the possibility, next to the foam stability, to make an even better and objective impression on how the consumers judge their beer in a visual way.

Frank Verkoelen is senior product manager quality control equipment. He is a technical engineer with background in research and development and product and sales in worldwide export environment.