Is there anything more disappointing than rocking up to your local bar and being handed a poorly poured pint of Guinness? We don’t think so either!
Luckily, the expert pint-pourers at The Bierkeller are on hand to help. Simply follow our team’s top tips on how to pour the perfect Guinness to avoid pouring yourself a lack-lustre pint of your favourite dark and creamy stout.
Why is it important to properly pour Guinness?
Before we explain how to pour a Guinness that’s guaranteed to impress, let’s find out why the perfect pour is so important!
First off, the proper pouring of Guinness is one of the key ways to enhance the taste. This beloved brand of stout is filled with a roasted flavour, as well as notes of malty sweetness, hoppy bitterness, coffee, and chocolate – with each note making it even more of a taste sensation.
Not to mention, no one likes a pint of Guinness that’s all foam. Not only does a large foam head impact the appearance of the drink, but who wants to spend their hard-earned money on half a glass of bubbles? A beautifully poured Guinness therefore requires both patience and precision.
How to properly pour a Guinness
Ready to perfect your pour? Whether you’re a beginner bartender or eager to achieve the same Guinness experience you get at your local pub, we can help in just three straightforward steps.
Before you begin, make sure you have a clean, cool, and dry Guinness glass and your keg or can of glorious Guinness is chilled between five and seven degrees Celsius.
The first pour
Start by holding the glass at a 45-degree angle, then aim the tap nozzle (or the can opening!) for the gold harp logo on the outside of the glass. Begin pouring until the stout reaches the top of the harp on the glass.
Let it rest
Crucially, the half-poured pint of Guinness should then be placed down to rest as part of the ‘surge and settle’ step. During this phase, the darker stout will settle under the creamy foam, creating that iconic Guinness appearance!
Finish off the pint
After the half pint of Guiness has settled, simply fill until the foam forms a slight dome over the top of the glass, all while keeping the glass straight – not at an angle. Skipping any of these steps could result in an underwhelming pint of Guinness!
What are the most common Guinness pouring mistakes?
Still not achieving the perfect pint? You may be tripping up on some of the most common mistakes! This includes pouring too fast, underfilling or overfilling the glass, and not waiting until it’s at the right temperature.
Drink a perfectly poured Guinness at The Bierkeller!
While our bars are best-known for their ability to serve up ice-cold steins of our traditional German haus bier, we also know how to perfectly pour an irresistibly creamy and foamy pint of Guinness.
So, if you’re struggling to pull the perfect pint or are yearning for an on-tap glass of Guinness, why not head over to your nearest Bierkeller location? With welcoming and lively venues in Birmingham, Nottingham, Manchester, and Liverpool, book your table today.