It's much harder to spill beer than coffee

If you've spilled some coffee as you carried the kitchen cup to the table, know that it wasn't all your fault. Princeton University scientists have noted that foamless liquids are much more likely to spill than other liquids that have a thin layer of foam, such as beer.

Only 3 millimeters of foam can slow much of the movement that would cause the liquid to spill, and by 3 centimeters it is possible to stop the movement almost completely. That's why it's common to see waiters in bars rushing several mugs of collared draft beer without spilling a single drop.

In order: dark beer, lager and coffee

Although the effect was first noticed in pub beers, what motivated the research was a nobler intention. Test results could help transport hazardous or toxic fluids more safely. A layer of foam could alleviate the problem by preventing liquid movement from straining the container structure too much.

But back to everyday applications, here's the tip: If you're too clumsy, you might want to order coffee with whipped cream or a cappuccino or go straight for a cold beer.