Guinness Foaming Up

[QSR]

I am using an Andale Guinness tap that used to be used in an Irish bar some years ago.

I am trying to get it to poor a bit better as all you seem to get when you pour is foam. I have dropped the pouring pressure back to about 4psi but it still only pours foam. The hose between the tap and keg is 2 metres long and the internal diameter is approx 5mm ( normal beer line from LHB store ). Is there an adjustment inside the tap to reduce this foaming ? Or should I try a longer/shorter beer line with a larger inner diameter?? Or what do you suggest?

Chris

 

[Adamt]

My guess would be that more line is needed, 3m. Depends on a lot of things but 3m is usually a good length.

 

[KHB]

Have you over gassed your beer?

 

[QSR]

I don't feel it is over-gassed because if I connect to the other ( non -Guinness )Andale tap the Guinness pours perfectly.

 

[QSR]

Ok, I will replace my 2 metre beer line with 3 metres of beer line as suggested by Adamt and see how that goes and report back.....thanks

 

[warrenlw63]

If you're pouring through a stout tap with regular CO2 the aeration plate is probably doing the damage. From memory those taps need to be poured with high pressure nitrogen. Not regular CO2.

Basically the aeration plate would be driving all the CO2 out of solution as it hits the glass.

Warren -

 

[zabond]

not 100*/* sure but doesnt a Guiness tap have a foaming plate/nitrogen mixer in it to produce the foaming needed for a true Guiness pour ?
Warren can type quicker than me

 

[clarkey7]

Ok, I will replace my 2 metre beer line with 3 metres of beer line as suggested by Adamt and see how that goes and report back.....thanks

QSR

Does your Andale Guinness tap have the flow restricter fitted (the black plastic thingo that has a metal disc with holes in it inside) designed for pouring stout that has been carbed and is to be poured with a CO2 and nitrogen mix?

PB :icon_cheers:

Edit - sorry i walked off halfway through editing and came back - some else already asked this.

 

[fraser_john]

My guiness tap has that little metal disk with 6 tiny holes drilled in it (I think its 6). If I pour at around 6 psi, I get about 1 inch of fine foam in a pint glass. But, because of the lack of nitrogen, the stout is as flat as a tack, all CO2 comes out of solution because of the restrictor.

I have stopped using the tap and replaced it with a perlick. They look great and all, but without nitrogen/co2 mix, they just dont pour well.

 

[QSR]

Yes, the tap is fitted with the restrictor plate. I have removed the restriction plate and tried it like that also - still foams.
But if I try the other Andale tap or even the pluto gun it pours fine - I still will replace the beer line with a longer length just to see if it can be improved at least a little - cheers

 

[big_alk]

sounds like your pouring pressure is too low?

any idea what your carbonation is in your beer?
remember you need to be pouring your beer with at least as much Co2 pressure as in your beer, or it will come out when you pour it.
Also need to look at your temperature.

we serve our stout with nitrogen and creamer tap at 30-35psi for comparison.

Allan

 

[warrenlw63]

Yes, the tap is fitted with the restrictor plate. I have removed the restriction plate and tried it like that also - still foams.
But if I try the other Andale tap or even the pluto gun it pours fine - I still will replace the beer line with a longer length just to see if it can be improved at least a little - cheers

Have you stripped it down and cleaned it? There's a fair chance you may find a few things in there you may not want (gunk) that could still be restricting the flow.

Warren -

 

[jeremy]

Praps i'm being ignorant here, but I would think that Guinness is supposed to be VERY LIGHTLY carbonated if you are going to use a proper guinness tap? I would think carbonation levels similar to that of a lager would cause the issues you are describing. I would try very lightly carbonating a beer (presumably a stout) pouring it through your guinness tap, and giving it the taste test against a widget can. I think you might find it is supposed to be fairly flat.

EDIT: just noticed the comment about the foaming issue even without the restrictor plate, is a guinness tap designed to be able to work without the restricor plate? praps something in the tap that is used for fixing the restrictor plate causes turbulence?

Cheers.

Jeremy.

 

[devo]

When you cut the pressure back to 4psi on the reg did you also open the release valve on your keg to depressurise it as well? If not, try that!

 

[big_alk]

Praps i'm being ignorant here, but I would think that Guinness is supposed to be VERY LIGHTLY carbonated if you are going to use a proper guinness tap? I would think carbonation levels similar to that of a lager would cause the issues you are describing. I would try very lightly carbonating a beer (presumably a stout) pouring it through your guinness tap, and giving it the taste test against a widget can. I think you might find it is supposed to be fairly flat.

EDIT: just noticed the comment about the foaming issue even without the restrictor plate, is a guinness tap designed to be able to work without the restricor plate? praps something in the tap that is used for fixing the restrictor plate causes turbulence?

Cheers.

Jeremy.

you're right, a stout should have a low carbonation (2 vol CO2), even if it is dispensed later with nitrogen.

 

[Tim]

I think you would be better shooting for 1.5 volumes of CO2. Even 2 is a little high. Remember commercially they use N2 to push the beer through the lines to avoid carbonation.