When serving a draft beer, what is the recommended angle for the glass?

Serving draft beer at a 45-degree angle is recommended because this technique helps create an optimal pour that balances the beer's carbonation with the necessary head. Initially tilting the glass allows the beer to flow smoothly down the side, reducing excessive foaming and minimizing the risk of overflow. As the glass fills, it can be slowly straightened to a vertical position, which promotes the formation of the desired head on top of the beer.

The 45-degree angle helps to maintain the beer's quality and enhances the drinking experience, which is particularly important for craft beers and lagers where aroma and flavor are key. This method contrasts with pouring straight up, which can lead to a large amount of foam that may result in wastage and an unsatisfactory presentation. Other angles, such as 30-degree or 90-degree, do not offer the same effective control over the pour and can also lead to undesirable results, such as excessive foaming or beer spilling.