Pouring Stouts on Draft

In recent years, there has been a movement towards more stout beers that have been carbonated with nitrogen and away from the more common CO2 brands. A stout beer has a rich, dark color and a foamy head to it that is part of the experience. Craft brewers are starting to introduce new stout beers into the market and commercial bars are responding by installing more nitrogen dispensing systems.

But what about your home bar? Are you staying away from the stouts because the process appears to be a bit too complex? Once you have the proper regulators and faucets in place, pouring stout beer in your own home bar is easy.

The Right Tap

Your nitrogen dispensing system starts with the right tap, also known as the coupler. The Stankey U-type is most commonly used with stouts such as Guinness, where the Stankey S-type is used with stouts such as Murphy's. The keg will let you know which coupler to use, but it always helps to have both types on hand if you plan on pouring stouts..

The Faucet

You must use a stout faucet when pour stout beers. You should never try to pour a stout through a standard or creamer faucet. A stout faucet has restrictor device that removes the nitrogen from the beer as it pours. This is what creates the thick head of a stout beer and it is something that cannot be done with a standard or creamer faucet..

The Regulator

The regulator in a nitrogen system is where some home bar owners tend to get in trouble. When you buy your nitrogen regulator, you will also want to buy a regulator adapter that allows a nitrogen adapter to be safely installed on CO2 threads.

The reason for this is that some nitrogen suppliers put their nitrogen in cylinders that have CO2 valves on them. It is important to note that it is perfectly fine to use a nitrogen cylinder that has a CO2 valve on it. You just need to use your regulator adapter to properly fit your nitrogen regulator to the cylinder's CO2 valve.

The Gas

Gas for stout beers is more commonly referred to as "Guinness Gas" or "Beer Gas". It is a mix of 75 percent nitrogen and 25 percent Co2. When you buy your gas, make sure that you are getting beverage gas and not gas used for industrial purposes. There is a difference and you have to make that distinction when you talk to your supplier.

You must create a separate dispensing system for your stout beers because you do not want to mix the extra nitrogen in with your lagers and ales. Excess nitrogen will alter the taste of lagers and ales, just as an improper balance of nitrogen and CO2 will alter the taste of your stouts.

Take the time to install a separate stout dispensing system in your home bar, using the right parts and supplies, and you will be able to enjoy stout beers whenever you want.