The shutterbug behind Instagram’s @Brewtographer (real name: Dale Swanson) shares how he gets those mouthwatering beer shots.

1. “You get a lot of shots of pint glasses when you shoot in bars, so be mindful of the background to put the beer into context. I’m notorious for taking time to move napkins and straws out of the way to get the tap handles in view for a better composition.”

2. “Instead of cropping photos square, I shoot directly with Instagram. Be sure to check the Instagram option that saves photos to your image file as soon as it snaps.”

3. “The only two filters I use are Lo-fi and black and white.”

4. “I don’t ever use a flash. I use the SnapSeed editing app, which gives you a lot of control over brightness, color and saturation. Also, use the HDR feature on your camera; it gives you an average of the lighting that evens your photos out. Instagram’s sun button is the Instagram HDR, which also works OK.”

5. “Tag the location! I actually ask servers if the bar has an Instagram account to tag, and they don’t mind because it’s free publicity for them.”

Follow Dale on Instagram @brewtographer, and follow DRAFT at @draftmag.