With Saint Patrick’s Day just a week away and a projected 7.5 million pints of Guinness expect to be drunk, it’s important to know the specific requirements to serve the perfectly chilled beverage. Unlike most beer, Guinness is a stout beer and has some very specific requirements. It is important to learn the specifics of having this product on tap to make sure your bar doesn’t serve a subpar product. With these key products and techniques you can learn exactly what you need to know on how to serve the best quality Guinness at your bar this Saint Patrick’s Day.
1. The “U” System
Like most beers, Guinness has a very specific way on how it needs to be served. Each beer has a certain type of spout for a proper pouring technique and Guinness is no exception. In fact, this beer uses its own particular system to serve a perfect Guinness, known as a U system coupler. Without this piece of equipment your bar will not be serving Guinness the right way and it can ruin the overall experience of the beverage. It is important to notice the little details to make sure you are serving the best product possible.
2. The Correct Gas
Guinness is a stout beer, this means there needs to be the right kind of gas keeping the keg operating correctly. Guinness requires a gas mixture of 75% nitrogen and 25% carbon dioxide and exactly 38 pounds of pressure when it is dispensed. These requirements have to be perfect for optimal taste and pour. This gas blend is nicknamed “Guinness Gas”, so it is key to acquire the correct gas to serve Guinness the correct way. It is also important to ask your gas provider what types of valves are on the cylinder, its key to have a valve for both nitrogen and carbon dioxide so that it is easy to track the mixture. If Guiness becomes a hit at your bar, you might think about leasing a
3. The Prefect Serving Temperature
A chilled beer can be very refreshing after a long day but what exactly is the perfect temperature? It’s important to know each beers perfect serving temperature to ensure the correct taste. According to Micromatic, the best temperature to serve a Guinness is at 42 degrees. This is the prefect temperature to unlock all the unique tastes and flavors, and it’s what people expect when they take a sip.
4. The Two Pour Technique
The signature of a Guinness beer is the creamy white foam at the top of a glass. This can only be achieved by completing the two pour technique. According to the people at Guinness, the perfect pour starts out with a clean, dry glass tilted at a 45 degree angle. Then ¾ of the glass is filled. After, you let the bubbles rise and the nitrogen reacts. Once the white head starts to form you continue to fill the glass. After the glass is filled completely you wait for the foam to form a thick white layer. Now, you have the prefect pint of Guinness.
As your bar gets packed this holiday, make sure you are prepared with the drink everyone is going to be asking for. With investments on the correct equipment and learning the correct pouring techniques, your bar can have the superior product. If you’re interested in getting Guinness and other nitrogen draft beers on tap, contact the experts at Clean Beer. With hundreds of installations in the New England area, we can help with beer lines, maintenance, taps, gas systems, and more.