What causes the "head" on a beer and why do you have to

[Blue_Roses]

tip the glass to the side to make it smaller? Just poured a beer into a glass--with the glass turned sideways--and good grief...:shrug:

[Reverend_Smitty]

1. ask an ye shall receive...

pouring it down the side will trap the carbonation of the beer so it doesn't get all foamy on you

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_(beer)

on edit:
I don't know why the link is breaking but the _(beer) should be part of the link

[Blue_Roses]

2. hey, thanks...

one of those Saturday night questions that gets ya when least expect it:D

[Reverend_Smitty]

3. lol, no problem...

just remember when pouring a Guinness you need to do a straight pour as opposed to the traditional side pour because it is mixed with nitrogen and not CO2 like most beers

;)

[conscious evolution]

4. The head is caused by

the carbon being released as you pour.
You want this to happen.It is what brings out the flavor in beer.