HOW TO POUR A GREAT BLACK AND TAN LAYERED BEER
First Basic Principle: Density
Creating layered beer drinks is all about liquid density. A lighter liquid will float on top of a heavier one. Just like oil floating on water. Unlike oil and water however, because the basic composition of different beers is very similar and their densities relatively close, the liquids will not separate after being mixed. Therefore, in order to create a great layered beer, the top beer must be gently poured over the bottom layer to minimize the mixing and allow the beer layers to remain separate.
More information on density can be found in this Wikipedia entry. |
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Second Basic Principle: Color
The color of the beers being layered is very important. If one beer layers well over another but the color of the beers is the same, what's the point? The whole reason for serving a layered beer is for dramatic effect. Luckily beers come in a nice range of color from black (Guinness Draft) to amber (Killian's Irish Red) to light yellow/tan (Miller Lite or Corona). More information about beer color can be found at Wikipedia.
The clarity of a beer can also be considered. Some beers are clear while others are cloudy. Common beer clarity descriptors include brilliant, hazy, cloudy, turbid, opaque, clear, crystal, bright, dull. Two beers of the same color, but of different clarity, can be layered with a nice effect.
The clarity of a beer can also be considered. Some beers are clear while others are cloudy. Common beer clarity descriptors include brilliant, hazy, cloudy, turbid, opaque, clear, crystal, bright, dull. Two beers of the same color, but of different clarity, can be layered with a nice effect.
Choosing the Type of Layer
Here is the hard part. So many choices, so little time! In addition to many great beers, many layer combinations are also possible.
- Dark on Top
- Dark on Bottom
- Clear / Cloudy
- Triple Layer
- Quad Layer
Choosing the Type of Beers
It is very important to know that not all beer combinations will layer well. Obviously, many beers will have almost the same density. Often they will mix even when pouring very gently. Experimentation with many different beers is necessary. Here are some rules of thumb to help.
Check out our recipes link to see a list of beers that should layer well. Our blog has lots of pictures of successfully layered beers.
If this is your first time in layering beers, here are some recommended combinations using Guinness Draught in a can as a top layer.
- Nitro stouts generally work well for a top dark layer ie Guinness or Murphy's
- Regular stouts and porters generally work well for a bottom dark layer
- Black lagers may work well for either a top or bottom dark layer
- When in doubt as to whether to try the dark beer on the top or bottom, try the dark beer on the top first. You will be able to tell right away if it works or not. If it doesn't layer and the dark beer drops down quickly into the lighter bottom layer, reversing the layers will often result in a good combination.
Check out our recipes link to see a list of beers that should layer well. Our blog has lots of pictures of successfully layered beers.
If this is your first time in layering beers, here are some recommended combinations using Guinness Draught in a can as a top layer.
- Half & Half: Guinness Draught can over Harp Lager
- Black and Blue: Guinness Draught can over Blue Moon
Pouring a Perfect Black and Tan Layered Beer
- Fill a beer glass ½ full with the selected bottom beer. Having some foam on top is OK and probably helps.
- Place the Perfect Black and Tan beer layering tool on top of the glass.
- Gently pour the top beer into the center of the layering tool & let the beer drip down over the bottom layer beer.
- Stop pouring and remove the layering tool when the beer reaches the top of the glass.
- Enjoy your creation. It's that simple!
Triple Layer Guidance
Here are some step-by-step instructions for finding and making a great three layer beer.
(1) Find a good dark-on-bottom layered beer combination
(2) Test if the potential middle-layer beer will layer under Guinness (or another selected top layer). If it does, you may have a winner!
(3) Try making the 3-layer combination. Be careful not to pour the bottom or middle layers too high. You don't want to run out of room for the top layer
(1) Find a good dark-on-bottom layered beer combination
(2) Test if the potential middle-layer beer will layer under Guinness (or another selected top layer). If it does, you may have a winner!
(3) Try making the 3-layer combination. Be careful not to pour the bottom or middle layers too high. You don't want to run out of room for the top layer
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