Summer beer tips and pouring with expert Justin Lamontagne

by W. Andrew Powell
Beer expert Justin LaMontagne

Happy patio season! It’s that perfect time of year when a pint on the patio is one of the simplest, greatest pleasures, but how well do you know beer? The idea of the “perfect pour” may even be confusing, and that’s where certified Canadian beer expert Justin Lamontagne comes in with some simple beer tips and suggestions.

LaMontagne met with me at Batch in Toronto to show off pouring techniques, and offer a few simple suggestions for enjoying great summer beers, including Granville Island Lions Summer Ale, Leinenkugel’s Lemon Shandy, and Creemore Springs Pale Wheat Ale.

His most important tips? “Drink beer out of a clean glass, and make sure that you pour a proper head on your beer.”

Watch the video to see LaMontagne’s demonstration of what happens when you don’t pour a proper head on your beer. As he points out, you don’t need to be afraid of a thick collar of foam on your pint because that not only protects the beer from air, making it taste great until the last sip, but it also means you won’t feel gassy from all the carbonation, because those bubbles get released in the head.

Plus, as LaMontagne says, “Foam is beer, beer is foam,” so there’s no need to be afraid of a thick, foam collar.

LaMontagne is a Prud’homme Master Beer Sommelier, he’s also a Certified Cicerone, and he’s the national beer education and culture manager for Six Pints Specialty Beer Co.

Watch Justin LaMontagne’s beer tips:

Plus, LaMontagne’s beer pairing suggestions:

Granville Island Lions Summer Ale, Leinenkugel's Lemon Shandy, and Creemore Springs Pale Wheat Ale

Granville Island Lions Summer Ale, Leinenkugel’s Lemon Shandy, and Creemore Springs Pale Wheat Ale

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