This Is Why Good Breweries Always Rinse The Glass Before Pouring And Serving You - Tasting Table

"No one wants to drink from a dirty glass under any circumstance - but when it comes to beer, there's clean, and there's "beer clean." If you've ever noticed a bartender spritzing the glass with a little cold water just before they pour and serve your drink, that's what they're doing. Take it as an indication that you're in good hands with a bar, restaurant, or even one of the best breweries in the U.S., as they clearly care about upholding industry standards."

"The short answer: probably not. That's where the concept of "beer clean" comes in. That extra rinse after washing ensures the glass is free of any impurities that may not be visible to the naked eye. These include residual detergent, sanitizer, oils, particles, and dust, all of which can negatively affect the aroma, flavor, consistency of the body, and even the look of the beer."

Rinsing a beer glass with cold water—often performed by bartenders—creates a 'beer clean' surface that removes invisible residues. The rinse removes detergent, sanitizer, oils, particles, and dust that can harm aroma, flavor, body consistency, and appearance. A thin coating decreases friction for a smoother pour and promotes good head formation, which enhances flavor and aroma. The rinse also cools the glass after dishwasher cycles. The Cicerone Certification Program promotes Beer Clean Glass Day every fourth Saturday of April. Pouring beer into a glass remains recommended even at home.

Read at Tasting Table