The widget in cans of Guinness is a tiny plastic ball that contains nitrogen gas to give the beer a creamy, thick foam when poured. This small piece of technology results in a creamy and smooth pour that is comparable to the draught version of Guinness.
When the drink is poured, the pressure inside the can changes and the widget releases the nitrogen gas. This creates millions of tiny nitrogen bubbles that give Guinness its distinctive creamy foam. By adding the widget to the cans of Guinness, drinkers can enjoy the same great taste as when ordering a pint at the pub.
How does nitro beer work?
Nitro beer is made with nitrogen gas instead of carbon dioxide (CO2), which is what is used to carbonate most traditional beers. This nitrogen gas creates much smaller bubbles than CO2, giving the beer a smoother, creamier texture and even adds a slightly sweet taste.
It also adds an extra dimension of texture to the beer, making it silky and smooth. The beer is served from a nitrogen tap, either from a can or a keg. Different beers are served in different ways, with some served cold and others served at a slightly warmer temperature, which can help to bring out the flavor of certain beers.
Nitro beer can also be poured from a tap, just like regular beer, but the way you pour it is very important in order to ensure that the nitrogen gas doesn’t escape and that you get the most out of it.
Nitro beer should be served in a straight up glass with a thin/medium pour. When you pour, the angle should not be more than 45 degrees and you should always end the pour with a bit of foam, called the “nitro foam”.
The foam helps to keep the nitrogen in suspension so the beer can remain smooth and creamy.
Is Guinness nitro infused?
No, Guinness is not nitro infused. Guinness is produced using a mix of nitrogen and carbon dioxide, which is quite different from nitro infused beer. Nitro infused beer is created by infusing nitrogen directly into the beer, adding a creamy head and smooth, velvety texture.
Nitro beer is usually served from a special tap and served with a “nitro pour” which adds a little extra bubble and creates a beautiful cascading effect. Although Guinness has nitro as part of the mix of N2/CO2 that makes up the gas blend for Guinness Draught, it is not nitro infused like other beers on the market.
Does nitro beer give you gas?
Yes, nitro beer can cause excess gas due to the unique nature of the beer. Nitro beer is a type of beer that has been infused with nitrogen gas, resulting in a smoother, creamier texture and foam head.
This infusion of nitrogen gas releases tiny bubbles that don’t rise to the surface like regular, carbonated beer. The nitrogen gas has to be digested in the stomach, thus requiring more work by the body to process, which can lead to more gas.
Additionally, the extra carbon dioxide can cause even more gas build up.
Nitro beer isn’t the only type of beer that can cause excess gas. All alcoholic beverages, including beer, can cause gas buildup due to the effects of fermentation. During fermentation, yeast feeds on the sugars found in the beverage, which creates carbon dioxide as a by-product.
This buildup of carbon dioxide can lead to gas production.
It is important to note that excessive gas caused by drinking nitro beer is rarely a cause for concern, but if the gas and bloating become uncomfortable it might be a good idea to reduce the amount of nitro beer you consume.
What is the difference between nitro beer and regular beer?
The main difference between nitro beer and regular beer is the nitrogen gas used in the brewing process of nitro beer. Nitrogen beer is infused with nitrogen gas, which gives it a more creamy, full-body texture and a much different mouth feel than regular beer.
This is because nitrogen gas is less soluble in beer than carbon dioxide, and therefore won’t produce a lot of fizz. The result is a beer that is smooth and creamy with a dense, thick head of foam. Nitro beers also have a slightly sweeter flavor, with a creamy finish.
Regular beer, on the other hand, is made using carbon dioxide. This gas is considerably more soluble in beer, resulting in a much bubblier and carbonated texture. This type of beer also has a much lighter and crisper character than a nitro beer.
Whereas nitro beers generally have a sweeter flavor profile, regular beer tends to have a much more bitter taste.
In terms of variety, nitro beers are usually stout or porter-style beers. However, regular beer can range from light American lagers to hefeweizens to imperial IPAs—and everything in between. Ultimately, the type of beer you prefer depends on your personal taste.
Can you drink nitro beer from can?
Theoretically, you could drink nitro beer from a can. However, it would be a bit tricky to do so. The main issue would be getting the beer to pour correctly. When you pour a can of beer, the air pressure inside the can forces the beer out in a foamy stream.
This wouldn’t work too well with nitro beer, which is supposed to be poured slowly to create a creamy head. You would need to pour the beer extremely slowly, and even then, you might not get the desired results.
Do you shake nitro beer?
No, nitro beer should not be shaken. According to the Brewer’s Association, shaking beer “disrupts and discharges the nitrogen gas that has been dissolved into the beer, leading to a ‘flat and lifeless’ pint.
” Instead, nitro beer should be poured gently into a glass that is at a 45-degree angle, which allows the nitrogen bubbles to cascade down the inside of the glass like a lava lamp. This method creates a ‘fuzzy haze’ that nitro beer is known for.
Additionally, nitro beers should be served cold to allow for the nitrogen gas to be better-dissolved within the beer.
What do you need for a nitro tap?
In order to properly tap a nitro beer, you will need a few key items:
First, you’ll need a nitro beer. Nitro beers are identified by their creamy head and smooth texture and can be easily identified by their distinct nitrogen gas bubbles.
Secondly, you’ll need a nitro tap, also known as a stout tap or a beer tower. This will allow the nitro beer to be properly dispensed. It typically consists of an intake, a nitrogenator, and a release mechanism.
Third, you’ll need nitrogen gas. The nitrogen gas is what creates the nitrogen bubbles in the beer and is essential for properly tapping a nitro beer.
Finally, you’ll need nitro fittings. These will connect the nitro tap to the gas cylinders that provide the nitrogen gas. They come in a variety of sizes, so make sure to get the correct ones.
With these items in place, you’ll be ready to tap a nitro beer for yourself or for your customers!
Why are nitrogen bubbles smaller?
Nitrogen bubbles are smaller because nitrogen is a smaller molecule than other gases that dissolve in water such as oxygen or carbon dioxide. Since nitrogen is smaller, it takes up less space in the water and therefore there are fewer nitrogen bubbles than oxygen or carbon dioxide bubbles.
This is why nitrogen bubbles are smaller. Additionally, the varying temperatures of the water can also influence the size of the nitrogen bubbles. Cold water will often produce smaller nitrogen bubbles because colder temperatures cause the nitrogen molecules to become more concentrated, thus forming smaller bubbles.
What is the purpose of the ball in Guinness beer?
The purpose of the ball in Guinness beer is to help produce the creamy white head that the beer is known for. When poured into a glass, a perfect pint of Guinness has a creamy white head on top of the dark beer that distinguishes it from other stouts.
The ball helps to create this effect by agitating the beer, meaning that as the beer is been poured, the ball helps to mix carbon dioxide from the beer with nitrogen and oxygen from the air. This creates tiny bubbles that form a flock in the glass, creating a wonderful head.
How does the Guinness nitrogen ball work?
The Guinness nitrogen ball is a device used to dispense beer from a pressurized keg. It is made up of a series of components, including a carbon dioxide tank, a nitrogen tank, a regulator, a hose and a carbonation stone.
The device is placed inside a keg of beer, which is then sealed with a lid. The carbon dioxide tank supplies air pressure to the keg, which forces the beer out of the keg and into the hose. The regulator then controls the flow of nitrogen gas into the beer, giving it a smoother and creamier texture.
The carbonation stone, or draft stone, is then introduced into the mix and helps to create a creamy and frothy head. The nitrogen ball is then flipped up and down in the keg to help release the nitrogen into the beer.
The beer is then ready to be enjoyed directly from the keg.
Are you supposed to shake Guinness in a can?
No, you should not shake cans or bottles of Guinness. The natural carbonation of a can or bottle of Guinness is achieved through nitrogen gas which gives it its creamy, thick consistency when poured.
Shaking the beer can actually damage the nitrogen bubbles and make the beer more foamy, while also altering the flavor of the beer. This is because the nitrogen bubbles cannot dissolve in the same way that carbon dioxide bubbles do when you shake a bottle.
Instead, the nitrogen remains trapped in the bubbles and expands rapidly, creating more foam in the process. For the best flavor, Guinness should be poured carefully and slowly into a glass. Doing this will release the characteristic creamy head of a Guinness slowly and help preserve its flavor.
Can I drink Guinness from the can?
Yes, you can definitely drink Guinness from the can. Each with a unique flavor. Some of the cans feature unique designs, like the Guinness Draught Can, which has an extra carbonation that creates a creamy head like what you would find on a draft beer.
The Guinness Extra Stout Can has a bold, full-flavored taste that pairs well with oysters and other traditional Irish dishes. Furthermore, Guinness has also released a variety of specialty cans, such as the Guinness Nitro IPA Can and the Guinness Blonde American Lager Can, which offer a different take on beer.
So if you’re looking to enjoy a cold Guinness right out of the can, you definitely have plenty of options to choose from.
How does a widget work in a pint glass?
A widget in a pint glass works by releasing bubbles of nitrogen or carbon dioxide gas when the beer is poured. The bubbles create an effect similar to that of adding a scoop of cream or ice cream to a milkshake, resulting in a creamy, foamy head.
When the beer is poured initially, the widget releases the bubbles, which mix with the beer and rise to the surface. This produces a thicker, longer-lasting head, improves the beer’s aroma and taste, and provides visually appealing presentation.
Additionally, widgets create foamier beer than traditional means such as pouring vigorously, which adds to the beer-drinking experience. Depending on the style of beer, the amount of bubbles and foam the widget creates will vary, however the overall effect remains the same.
Why does Guinness use nitrogen?
Guinness uses nitrogen because it helps create the signature creamy texture of its beer. Nitrogen gas is forced into their beer during the pouring process, creating a foamy, luscious head and overall creamy mouthfeel.
Nitrogen has much lower solubility than carbon dioxide, so it releases more slowly, creating a thicker texture than with other beers that use carbon dioxide. Guinness also states that the nitrogen creates a smoother, creamier taste to their beer.
The lower solubility also helps the beer last longer, as it retains more of its carbonation. In addition, nitrogen helps reduce the amount of bubbles, allowing the flavors of the beer to really shine through.
