You all probably know that Guinness Draught is not exclusive to your local pub anymore. It has actually been available in cans since 1988 and since February, 2001 in bottles (we're not talking about the Guinness Extra Stout bottles with the golden label). Guinness has spared no expense in trying to make your drinking experience as close as a trip to a pub in Ireland as possible. The key, as you know, is in the widget— a patented capsule of nitrogen that is in encased in the can during the canning process. It sounds simple— stick ping pong ball full of gas with a little hole in it into the can to make it fizz when you open it. But that's not quite right— and there is a lot more going on in there. To get the perfect pour from the "nitro" can, Guinness has done several things to insure that it's beer is served right. Although you may not realize it at first, Guinness is less fizzy than most beer— it is canned with less CO2 than other brews. But before they seal it up they add the empty widget and give the can a hit of liquid nitrogen to help pressurize the container— and yes, liquid nitrogen is the same element that can stop the Terminator cold. Some of it evaporates causing the can to pressurize and forces beer into the hole in the sphere, compressing the nitrogen into the widget. When you pop the top, the pressure releases in the can and the nitrogen in the spherical widget forces the beer that was drawn into it out of the little hole.

The nitrogen-agitated beer mixes with the CO2 that is already dissolved (some of which is naturally forming in the can). Further, when you pour it into a nice clean, soap-free glass it creates a thick, creamy, legendary head that Jim Koch would have a number of beer fantasies about. In the bottle, the rocket shape helps keep the widget oriented correctly. When you pop the cap, most of the pressure is released from a hole in the bottom of the rocket widget which has compressed beer along with gaseous nitrogen. Then with each additional sip as you drink, a little more pressure is released, a little more agitation occurs and a tiny head is kept on the beer in the bottle.

So how does all of this cool science make the beer taste? To actually do this comparison the right way, I ordered a pint from an Irish bar up the street and walked it home. I then cracked open a can and poured it into a pint glass and popped the top on a Guinness Draught in a bottle. My results? Personally I think the bottled beer comes a little closer to the actual draught beer you'd find in a bar or pub. The canned version pronounces the bitter aftertaste that I never usually notice— the fact that I have all three versions at my disposal makes it more prominent. The bottle seems to be the most creamy of the three, especially when I got down to the bottom... it was consistent in it's thickness to the last drop. Does the bar drawn pint from a tap win hands down? I don't think so. I actually preferred the bottle over the true draught in this taste test. Guinness purists will have my head for saying that, but you must keep in mind that A. I live in the Manhattan, not Dublin; and B. Guinness will be served differently at different brew pubs in spite of the best laid plans of the Guinness companies. I like the consistency of the bottle— there are too many factors that can't be controlled with the tap including how clean the glass was and how clean their lines are.

For an animated look at how the new rocket widget works, take a look at the Guinness web site. The Guinness Web Store also has quite a selection of branded products for any proud Guinness drinker. Oh and draught is a variant of the word draft... so now you know the "sitch". Much has been written or said about Guinness Extra Stout. Many will view this as the Holy Grail of beer. It is. Now let me make one thing abundantly clear— Guinness Extra Stout (also referred to as Guinness Draught by some drinkers) is a well crafted and outstanding beer. Guinness is a beer that I have enjoyed in bars almost as long as I have been drinking beer. Many grand moments have evolved from finding an Irish pub and ordering a pint of Guinness. The wait for the beer to settle in the glass always bred anticipation. After the beer settled, there was that first heavenly sip of creamy elixir. It is a dark creamy wonder. It is indeed a profoundly perfect beer that has always hit the spot. UB

http://www.guinness.com/

Home | UPBEAT Staff | Contact Us | Submit Content

Copyright ©2007 Bridget Petrella Media Relations. All Rights Reserved.