A couple weeks ago, the Stella Artois World Draught Masters competition regional semi-finals were held in Orlando at club Firestone. I was invited to attend but ended up being out of town for work. However, a couple friends went to check it out and gave me some notes and photos. Between that and the press materials, I almost feel like I was there 
Contestants compete by pouring Stella according to their nine step pouring ritual:
- The Purification: Use clean and rinsed branded glass.
- The Sacrifice: Open the tap in one quick action and let the first drops of beer flow away.
- The Liquid Alchemy Begins: Hold the glass just under the tap without touching it at a 45° angle.
- The Head: Lower the glass to allow the natural formation of the foam head.
- The Removal: Close the tap quickly and move the glass away so beer doesn’t drip into the glass.
- The Beheading: While the head foams up and overflows the side of the glass, smooth it gently with a head cutter.
- The Judgment: The right amount of foam is usually about 2 fingers.
- The Cleansing: Clean the bottom and sides of the glass.
- The Bestowal: Present the beer on a clean beer coaster with the logo facing the consumer.
Fifteen regional finalists and one wild card will compete in Boston on September 17 for the title of U.S. Draught Master and a spot in the World Draught Master competition in London on October 28. The Orlando winner was Grant Huff, seen here pouring the winning Stella.
More photos from my friend Jason at hoppd.com:
That looks awesome! I never knew the 9 step process. The level of classiness is great
I never knew that there is a process like that in beers.