How to Make a Beer Foam Prop

The foam at the top of the mug is the mark of any good real or prop beer.

Beer plays a role in the culinary part of many cultures and is sometimes a part of dramatic productions, especially those involving adult characters. But when those productions have to be put on in front of children or on stages where alcohol is not permitted, actual beer might not be allowed. Instead, you can recreate the frothing glasses of your favorite brew with a few ingredients from a local grocery store and your audience will be none the wiser.

Things You'll Need

• Clear plastic or glass beer mug
• 12 oz. can of root beer
• Pack of Mentos mint candy
• Sharp knife
• Hair spray

Instructions

1. Chill the plastic or glass beer mug in a freezer for at least one hour before preparing the foam.

2. Unwrap one Mento from the package and use the sharp knife to cut the mint in half. Cut one of those half pieces in half again to form two quarter pieces.

3. Place one of the quarter pieces of mint at the bottom of the inside of the beer mug. The mint will help additional foam form when the foam created by the soda's combination begins to dissolve.

4. Pour the 12 oz. can of root beer into the mug slowly, allowing a sort of "head" to develop from the soda's carbonation.

5. Spray the head formed at the top of the beer mug with the hairspray a few seconds after it has finished forming. This will hold it in place long enough for your "beer" to be brought on stage.

Tips & Warnings

• Using diet root beer in Step 4 will help generate a larger head that can be held in place by the hairspray.

• Using root beer will create a prop that looks like dark beer with foam. To create a prop that looks like a lighter beer with foam, use a lighter-colored soda, such as ginger ale.

• Do not apply the hairspray in Step 5 if the actors on stage will be drinking the prop beer, as it is toxic. Instead, prepare the prop during the act, a few minutes before the beer is needed on stage.