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Frozen Hydrated Foam (Head) on Beer

Foams are a mixed blessing to the brewing industry. During early stages
of fermentation too much foam can be problematical. However, head in
the final product is an essential aesthetic to many consumers of the
product. The only available method of examining foam at high resolution
is by stabilizing the delicate structure through freezing. Important
information about bubble size, distribution and the changes in bubble
shape during drainage can be derived from frozen hydrated preparations.
When the foam is fractured often tiny fragments of shattered bubble wall fall
onto the fracture surface. Larger fragments can be tapped off, but smaller
pieces (arrows) 'stick' due to electrostatic attraction.
Bar = 200um, inset 100um.