There's something magical about a Guinness dark beer floating on top of a lighter colored ale. The following simple instructions will help you recreate that magic for your friends and for yourself. Enjoy!
Step
Method 1 of 2: No spoon
Step 1. Hold your beer glass at an angle
Slowly fill the beer glass until it is slightly half full with Bass Ale. The glass will appear 2/3 full including the froth of the beer.
Don't be afraid to make a nice, thick froth of beer. Those beer froth heads will help you separate your beer-level layers
Step 2. Carefully pour the Guinness beer over the Bass Ale
Reduce the flow rate of the Guinness beer to drips. If you're using beer from a can, make sure you don't pour it "too slowly" or the beer will seep up the sides of the can.
Step 3. Fill to the brim, allowing the Guinness beer to reach the sides of the glass
Once the froth heads settle down a bit, add more dark beer.
Method 2 of 2: With a Spoon
Step 1. Take a glass
A plain transparent beer mug is an ideal choice, but a flute glass can also be used. Anything that is see-through and large enough can be worn.
Step 2. Pour the Pale Ale from a corner into the glass
Pour until the glass is about 2/3 full with thick beer foam. When the beer foam settles, the glass will be almost 1/2 full.
Step 3. Hold a spoon upside down over the glass
Pour the Guinness beer over the center of the inverted spoon to channel the beer flow. Pour slowly but confidently -- the flow of beer must be constant or else the beer will flow along the walls of the bottle or can instead of down onto the spoon.
Step 4. Let it evaporate and settle
Add a little more Guinness on top if needed. Enjoy!
Tips
- You can replace Bass Alle with Smithwick's ale, Harp Lager, cider, etc.
- Consider using a two-stage pour. Two-stage pouring allows for a denser and more solid beer-headed vapors. This type of beer head goes well with the coffee-like taste that comes from dark beer.
- Pour in one continuous slow motion with the glass tilted at a 45 degree angle.
- If you've never tasted Guinness beer, wait and go to Ireland because Guinness tastes better there than anywhere else in the world. The name "Black and Tan" for a mix of two beers like this is not used in Ireland, where the drink is known as Half and half.
- Dark beer should be poured slowly to allow the head of froth to develop during pouring. The head of the foam that evaporates too quickly can be prevented by stopping the pouring momentarily when you notice it is happening.
Warning
- It is not recommended for anyone under the legal age to drink alcoholic beverages.
- Don't drink while driving, even if your drink is layered and pleasing to the eye.
