Abstract
The current study presents the results of a survey performed to
investigate whether different patterns of foam and lacing affect
consumer beer preference and the perception of beer characteristics.
The impact of three different levels of foam (huge, medium
and little) at pouring, and two lacing patterns (very laced to not
laced) during consumption, was evaluated on a set of 26 attributes
by a panel of Italian beer consumers. Overall, beers which
delivered a medium level of foam at pouring were considered by
Italian consumers as the best dispensed, the most liked for their
visual appearance, the most attractive to consume and the most
likely to be purchased. Cluster analysis determined four groups
of consumers with different preference patterns for beer foam
and expectations for sensory characteristics of the beer. It was
found that 80% of consumers preferred a medium level of foam
and no lacing, whereas 20% of consumers preferred a high level
of foam and lacing. Furthermore, for nearly 40% of consumers,
foam and lacing patterns generated expectations regarding beer
sweetness, bitterness, fruitiness, perceived level of alcohol, effervescence
and the thirst quenching character of the beer.
Lingua originale | English |
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pagine (da-a) | 523-533 |
Numero di pagine | 11 |
Rivista | Journal of the Institute of Brewing |
Volume | 117 |
Stato di pubblicazione | Pubblicato - 2011 |
Keywords
- Italy
- beer,
- consumers’ expectations
- consumers’ preference
- foam
- head retention
- lacing