Tapping a Guinness can be achieved in several steps depending on the method you prefer. The two most common ways are using the two-part pour technique or the more traditional single-pour technique.
Using the two-part pour technique, you should begin by filling your glass two-thirds full with cold Guinness. Then slowly and carefully, tilt the glass so the beers connection to the tap is at a 45-degree angle before pouring the remaining third of your pour.
Allow the beer to settle into the glass before raising it back up to the vertical position. This should ensure a smooth, cascading pour. After the Guinness is completely filled, allow a short period of time for the beer to settle with a creamy, fluffy head.
The more traditional single-pour technique involves gripping the glass in one hand and covering the top with the other. Tilt the glass slightly and fill it to the top. Again, the beer should be allowed to settle before returning the glass to the vertical position.
The result should be a creamy, fluffy head with no escaping carbonation.
Some people also prefer to tap a Guinness using a gravity pour. This method involves a large glass pitcher and an open faucet. To begin, fill the glass pitcher two-thirds full with cold Guinness. Place the pitcher on a flat surface and hold the open faucet at a 45-degree angle over the pitcher.
Slowly pour the remaining third of your pour allowing the beer to settle with a creamy and fluffy head.
How to tap a Guinness is up to the preferences of the beer drinker. Each method has its own flavor benefits, and using good technique will ensure a smooth drink and great taste every time.
What kind of tap does Guinness use?
Guinness uses several types of taps for their beer, depending on the different beer styles and venues. For example, there are Euro-style tap systems, Gravity Dispense tap systems, and their Surge tap system which combines the two.
Euro-style taps use internal beer carbonators to mix the nitrogen and carbon dioxide with the Guinness beer and send it out the tap. Gravity Dispense tap systems use a mixture of nitrogen and carbon dioxide hooked up to large tanks that gently pressurize the Guinness draught beer.
The Surge tap system uses a combination of the two, blending beer line pressure and tank pressure to create the perfect creamy texture found in a Guinness pint. These methods ensure that Guinness drinkers enjoy the same perfect pint no matter where they are in the world.
How long does a Guinness keg last once tapped?
On average, a keg of Guinness should last between six and eight weeks once it has been tapped. When tapped, the keg should be stored in a cool, dark place between 38-44°F (or 3-7°C). If stored properly, a keg of Guinness should not expire within that time frame.
To extend the shelf life of the keg, limit the amount of times it is opened or exposed to light or sunlight. While Guinness is proud of its signature creamy texture, an over-foaming pour can affect its shelf life.
Make sure to pour each glass to avoid excessive foam; this will ensure the flavor and texture stays true throughout the keg.
How does the Guinness MicroDraught work?
The Guinness MicroDraught System is an innovative system to dispense draught beer from the convenience of any location. It is designed to enable freshly-tapped beer in any location with a consistent pour every time.
The system uses nitrogen gas and stainless steel pressurised kegs allowing bars, restaurants, pubs and other establishments to serve draught beer without the need for large kegs and traditional draught systems.
It works by combining nitrogen gas, stainless steel pressurised kegs and special widgets that are inserted into the kegs. This technology pressurises the liquid and locks the nitrogen gas inside the keg, preventing the beer from oxidising.
When the keg is tapped, nitrogen bubbles rush out of the widget and combine with the beer at the tap to create the perfect creamy head and indulgent texture that Guinness is known for. As the draft beer is served, the pressure in the widget naturally drops, allowing beer to pull through the keg to fill the pint glass.
The Guinness MicroDraught System allows access to a perfectly balanced Guinness pour at any time, allowing bars, restaurants and pubs to serve premium beer that is always fresh.
Can you have a Guinness tap at home?
Yes, you can have a Guinness tap at home! Generally speaking, there are two different ways you can accomplish this. The first option is to install a full home draught system, which requires a more intensive set-up and is the more expensive option.
This type of system follows what you would typically see at a pub and includes a keg, tap and pressurized CO2. If a full home draught system is overkill for what you have in mind, you can also purchase a device known as a beer tower.
These are smaller, countertop systems that don’t require any special preparation and tend to be a more affordable way to enjoy draught Guinness at home. Both of these systems can be purchasd from local home brewery supply stores or online retailers and both provide a great way for you to enjoy draught Guinness in the comfort of your own home.
Does Guinness Nitrosurge work with normal cans?
No, Guinness Nitrosurge does not work with normal cans. It requires a special system to dispense the nitrogen-infused beer. The system is called a Nitrous Dispenser, which is essentially a special tap that holds and pressurizes the nitrogen-infused beer.
The Nitrous Dispenser is connected to a nitrogen tanker, which pressurizes and stores the beer to keep it carbonated and nitrogenated. This tap is then connected to a normal tap, which is where the beer is poured from.
The Nitrosurge system requires both the Nitrous Dispenser and the nitrogen tanker to deliver the nitrogen-infused beer, so it won’t work with a regular can.
What is the purpose of a widget in a beer can?
The purpose of a widget in a beer can is to add nitrogen or carbon dioxide gas to the beverage, creating an experience similar to draft beer. The widget is a small, plastic device that fits in the bottom of the can and is filled with either nitrogen or carbon dioxide gas.
When the can is opened, the contents of the widget are released, creating a foamy head and a creamy texture. This adds to the drinking experience and refreshes the beer, giving it a more rounded and flavorful taste.
As nitrogen gas tends to be more expensive than carbon dioxide, it is more commonly used to generate better, more consistent results. Widgets are usually only found in cans of beer and not other forms of canned beverages.
Can you use co2 for Guinness?
Yes, CO2 is used as a component of Guinness, as it helps to inject nitrogen bubbles into the beer that give it a creamy head and distinctive flavor. CO2 is used directly in the brewing process as well as post-production when it is mixed with nitrogen gas, the other component of Guinness, to create the famous bubbly texture and flavor.
CO2 is also an important component of cans and bottles of Guinness, as it is used to create the pressure that keeps the beer from going flat.
How do I know when my keg is empty?
When it comes to knowing when your keg is empty, one of the best methods is to keep track of how much beer has been dispensed from the keg. Many kegs have a built-in gauge that helps estimate how much beer has been dispensed, and these are usually quite accurate.
If you have this type of gauge, keep an eye on it and once the number reaches zero, you know that your keg is empty.
If you don’t have a gauge, you can also weigh your keg on a digital scale periodically and keep track of how much it weighs. Kegs typically weigh close to the same amount when they are empty. As the keg is getting dispensed you’ll notice the weight decrease over time.
When the weight gets close to the weight of an empty keg, it’s a good indicator that the keg is nearly empty.
If you’re not sure how much an empty keg weighs and you don’t have a gauge, you can always take a look inside and see how much beer is left. If the keg is completely empty you’ll be able to see that the bottom is clear with no beer.
Ultimately, the best way to know when your keg is empty is to keep an eye on how much beer has been dispensed from it. You can either use a built-in gauge, weigh it periodically on a digital scale, or simply open it up and take a look inside.
Once all of the beer has been dispensed, you’ll know it’s time to change out your keg.
How many pints are in a full keg of Guinness?
A full keg of Guinness contains roughly 1,984 pints, which is equivalent to around 165 gallons. Each individual pint of Guinness contains 14.9 oz of the original dry stout. Since Guinness follows the European beer keg regulations, a full keg of Guinness is equal to 50 liters, or 13.
2 gallons, which equates to roughly 1,984 pints. Therefore, roughly 165 single pints must be poured out of the keg before it is considered empty.
How long will a keg of beer stay fresh?
A keg of beer will typically stay fresh for about two to three months if it is unopened. After it is tapped and exposed to oxygen, the beer will typically stay fresh for three to four weeks before it starts to go flat.
The exact timeline will vary based on the brand of beer and how it is stored. Generally, it is best to store the keg upright in a cool (preferably refrigerated) area away from direct sunlight and to minimize the amount of times the keg is moved.
Cleaning the keg frequently, checking the pressure levels, and minimizing the amount of air that the keg is exposed to are some other ways to maximize the freshness of the beer.
Can you drink an out of date keg?
No, it is not safe to drink an out of date keg. An out of date keg is more likely than a fresh keg to contain bacteria or other contaminants, which could make you sick. Over time, oxygen can enter a keg and cause spoilage of beer.
The beer may also go flat and become unpalatable. Beer in a keg should not be stored for more than 6 months, so if it has been sitting around for longer than that, it is probably not safe to drink. If you have an out of date keg and are concerned about its safety, the best course of action is to throw it away and purchase a new one.