Guinness is the most popular beer in America one day a year, and one day only: St Paddy’s Day. And since the average American is content to drink a dull, bland light lager 364 days a year, they may not be aware of the necessary steps required to pour the perfect Guinness pint, but no fear, wannabe Irishmen, for Nick is here to teach you how to do what’s known as the two-pour system or the six step system. Never drink an ill poured Guinness again.

Step 1: The Glass

Guinness cannot be poured into any old glass. To make it easy, buy yourself a set of Guinness pin glasses. They look good, the add to your beer cred, and they’re highly functional.

If you can’t get a Guinness glass, any other tulip shaped pint glass, which works best with the nitrogen infused Guinness. Whichever glass you use, use a clean, dry one and leave it at room temperature.

Step 2: The Angle

The glass should be held a a 45 degree angle under the faucet. No more, no less. 45 degrees.

Step 3: The Pour

The faucet should never touch the beer. While maintaining the 45 degree angle, pour until the glass is between two-thirds and three-quarters full. This is very important. No more than three-quarters, period. This is the biggest rookie mistake.

Step 4: The Pause

This step is key. You need to wait for the head to develop. The Guinness draft nozzle is specially designed to encourage the release of the nitrogen bubbles as it passes thru the faucet, making the beer as fresh as possible. These bubbles run down the sides of the glass, then turn inward and rush back up the middle, creating the most beautiful head in all of Beer-dom. Set the glass down, and watch as the head forms, and simply enjoy the spectacle.

Step 5: The Top Off

Now, take the glass and pour again, this time allowing the head to raise above the glass itself, sitting proudly atop a throne of Irish alcoholic perfection.

Step 6: The Presentation

Take the beer, and look at it. This is also key. Notice just how damn good it looks. Then, when you take that first sip, bring the glass to you, not the other way around, and look up to the sky, not down into the glass. Guinness is a beverage meant to be enjoyed, not one to drown your sorrows in.

Thanks to Anna for bugging me about the idea.