The Foam Finders Rating System
At Foam Finders, we believe that rating a pint of Guinness should be simple and honest. Our system breaks quality into three components that are each scored separately, plus we record the price and the Guinness type to help you find the best value.
What We Capture
When you rate a Guinness on Foam Finders, you provide:
| Field | Scale | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Schtick | 0-10 | Foam lacing quality |
| Head | 0-10 | Head appearance and persistence |
| Taste | 0-10 | Overall flavour experience |
| Price | £0-20 | Cost per pint |
| Type | Normal/Extra Cold/Zero | Which Guinness variant |
Our Rating Scale
We use a 0-10 scale for each category:
| Score | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 9-10 | Exceptional - Destination-worthy |
| 7-8 | Excellent - Reliable quality |
| 5-6 | Acceptable - Gets the job done |
| 3-4 | Below average - Issues present |
| 1-2 | Poor - Significant problems |
The Three Pillars
1. Head Quality
The head tells you immediately whether care was taken:
What to evaluate:
- Colour (creamy white ideal)
- Density (thick and compact)
- Height (1-2cm optimal)
- Persistence (should last throughout)
- Dome (slight dome above rim)
Scoring guide:
- 10: Perfect in every aspect
- 7-9: Very good with minor imperfections
- 4-6: Adequate but lacking
- 1-3: Problematic
2. Schtick (Lacing)
The foam patterns left on the glass as you drink:
What to evaluate:
- Presence of distinct rings
- Adherence to glass
- Consistency around circumference
- Persistence as rings dry
Scoring guide:
- 10: Beautiful, defined rings with each sip
- 7-9: Good lacing with minor gaps
- 4-6: Inconsistent or partial lacing
- 1-3: Little to no lacing
Did you know?
Poor schtick with good head usually indicates a dirty glass rather than bad beer. Factor this into your assessment.
3. Taste
The ultimate measure of quality:
What to evaluate:
- Roasted malt presence
- Creamy, smooth mouthfeel
- Balanced bitterness
- Clean finish
- Absence of off-flavours
- Temperature appropriateness
Scoring guide:
- 10: Textbook Guinness, exceptional
- 7-9: Very good with minor notes
- 4-6: Acceptable, some issues
- 1-3: Off-flavours or serious problems
Calculating Overall Scores
There is no weighting. Each rating gives Head, Schtick and Taste a score from 0 to 10, and the rating's overall score is the plain average of the three. A pub's overall rating is the average of all its ratings.
| Criterion | Scale | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Head | 0–10 | Equal |
| Schtick | 0–10 | Equal |
| Taste | 0–10 | Equal |
Price is recorded separately for reference and is not part of the quality score. The Guinness type (Normal, Extra Cold or Zero) is recorded so you can see which variant was rated.
Pro Tip
Rate based on your honest experience. If a pint technically looks good but doesn't taste right, your Taste score should reflect that.
Price Tracking
We track the price you paid to help users find good value. A £4 pint scoring 8/10 is better value than a £7 pint scoring the same.
The average price across all ratings helps set expectations for what you'll pay at each pub.
Guinness Types
We distinguish between three variants:
- Normal - Standard draft Guinness at cellar temperature
- Extra Cold - Served colder, different character
- Zero - Guinness 0.0 non-alcoholic
This helps users find pubs that serve their preferred type well.
What Makes a Fair Rating
Consider the context
- Was it busy? Busy pubs often have fresher kegs
- What time of day? Early pints may come from older lines
- Tourist area? Volume sometimes trumps quality
Be honest
Your rating helps other Guinness lovers. A pub that consistently scores poorly will be avoided; one that scores well will attract visitors.
Rate what you experienced
Don't inflate scores for friendly service or deflate them for slow wait times. Focus on the pint itself.
Red Flags to Watch For
Things that should lower your scores:
- One-pour technique (no settle time)
- Visible off-colours in the beer
- Sour or metallic taste
- Over-carbonation (too fizzy)
- Served in a frozen glass
- Head that disappears quickly
Warning
If a pub serves Guinness with a one-pour technique, it demonstrates either ignorance or indifference to quality. Rate accordingly.
How to Submit a Rating
- Find the pub on Foam Finders
- Tap "Rate this Guinness"
- Set your scores for Schtick, Head, and Taste using the sliders
- Enter the price you paid
- Select the type of Guinness
- Submit your rating
That's it - simple and quick, just like ordering your pint should be.
The Goal
Our rating system exists to help Guinness lovers:
- Find the best pints near them
- Avoid disappointing experiences
- Understand what makes quality
- Track prices across venues
A great pint of Guinness is worth seeking out. Our ratings are a map to help you find it.
Start your journey by understanding how to tell if your Guinness is good.
