Yesterday was St. Patrick’s Day and I quietly enjoyed a pint of Guinness and wee nip of Sailor’s Home Stormchaser Single Malt Irish Whiskey. Our big celebration will actually be taking place this coming Saturday at the house. It is definitely one of my favorite days of the year!
Tomorrow I am picking up the kegs of Guinness that I ordered for the party. I still enjoy a can of Guinness, but nothing…and I mean nothing….beats a properly poured pint of Guinness from the tap. For anyone lucky enough to have enjoyed a pint of Guinness in Ireland, you understand the difference. And there are plenty of places here in the US that do pour a good pint. They are usually the busy Irish pubs in cities that go through the kegs quickly and keep their tap lines clean.
Quick side story on the opposite of a good pint: Was traveling for business this past December in Cleveland and before heading to the airport, I sat with a co-worker at the hotel bar for a quick drink. I didn’t want anything too heavy so I ordered a pint of Guinness. The bartender grabbed a frozen pint glass (WTF?) and then poured the entire Guinness in one straight pour finishing with the tap head actually inside the top of the beer. I would hope if this ever happened in Ireland that they would deport the bartender. This is totally unacceptable. If your establishment is going to serve Guinness, please serve it PROPERLY!
With that being said, I take pride in pouring a good pint in my basement bar because that is my establishment…and I do serve my Guinness as close to possible as they do at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin. I make sure my kegs are ordered fresh and have not been sitting around. I have the correct Nitrogen mix in my gas tanks. My taps and lines are thoroughly cleaned. I have the proper Guinness glasses. I set my PSI at around 38 and keep the temperature right at 42 degree F. Then it’s the two part pour. Here is a great video with Alan Maxwell, a Guinness Specialist from Dublin, teaching you the proper technique. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGu9Uq8RnC4
Here is a great article that has very well written instructions for a reference guide as well: https://www.diageobaracademy.com/en-us/home/bartender-skills-and-techniques/an-expert-guide-to-pouring-the-perfect-guinness
Slainte!!
