Good evening folks. Enjoy by hit here today in Winston-Salem, NC. I resisted buying a case since I got snubbed on the 4.1.13 and know how that feels after 90 MPH on I40 to walk out with a Liefmans. Anyways, this beer is a week old, and clear as can be... I notice a small stream of bubbles coming up from the bottom middle of my Duvel and forming a hurricane type cloud in the center. I have never seen this in a beer... Is it because its so fresh? Or is this normal and I never noticed? Thanks
I got it the day it came out and didn't see that. I might crack open another one later this afternoon and check. I drank it from a pint glass so i might get a different result.
The head formation you're talking about probably has more to do with the glass you're using than anything else. I don't own a Duvel tulip, but I have a Chimay chalice that has an etching at the bottom of the glass directly in the center, which causes the same type of carbonation release that you're talking about. I would venture to say your glass has an etching in that spot as well.
It's the glass. There are etchings on the bottom called "nucleation points" that basically serve to provide a surface for the bubbles to get released. I don't claim to know the physics behind it, but just that, that's how it works. Of course, you might as well release the bubbles by sticking an old fork (with rough surface) in the beer - not an elegant solution, but same principle. It is done to preserve the head on the beer, and consequently, its lacing.
Nice, thanks guys. I guess I don't usually drink beers so transparent. I'm on to a Night Tripper now. Cheers!
All the EB batches have poured beautifully so far. The color and the smell always make me jealous when I'm pouring it behind the bar for someone else.
