16th November 2006

How to Pour a Black & Tan

posted in Beer, Resources | written by Ron |

Updated: How to Pour a Black and Tan - Take 2

My previous article told you all about What is a Black and Tan; now you get to see one poured for yourself.

Pouring a black and tan is easy. The basic steps are:

  1. Pour half of a bottle of Bass Pale Ale in pint glass
  2. Gently, fill the glass the rest of the way with Guinness by pouring the stout over the back of a spoon.


(Link to Google video)

The real trick is to get the Guinness in as gently as possible and the spoon helps accomplish this by dispersing the liquid. Traditionally, you use the back of the spoon like the “black and tan spoon” shown below. However, I have found the best means to get the Guinness in there without disturbing anything is to have it trickle lightly down the inside of the glass. Using the front side of the spoon in contact with the glass seems to do the same, if not better.

black-and-tan_spoon.jpg

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This entry was posted on Thursday, November 16th, 2006 at 3:00 am and is filed under Beer, Resources. Tagged: , , , , . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

There are currently 9 responses to “How to Pour a Black & Tan”

Why not let us know what you think by adding your own comment! Your opinion is as valid as anyone elses, so come on... let us know what you think.

  1. 1 On March 17th, 2007, Drew said:

    Happy St.Patricks Day, Thank you for posting this.For years I would patronize my buddys Irish Pub fore he truly pours the best black & tan and now I am able to pour them eith the mastery and skills alike.Erin Go’ Brah

  2. 2 On March 18th, 2007, Al said:

    Thanks. I’m sure Ron enjoyed the heck out of making this video. He never did tell me how many takes he needed to get it right.

  3. 3 On March 18th, 2007, Ron said:

    First take, but I told my wife it took 6 tries.

  4. 4 On August 21st, 2007, Maggie said:

    Went through a 6 back of both before I got it. After 6 tries, went to the internet, followed your video and taadaa, got it in one. Thanks

  5. 5 On August 22nd, 2007, Al said:

    We’re glad you found it helpful. Although, experimenting like you did doesn’t sound too bad, either.

  6. 6 On August 29th, 2007, Ron said:

    Glad you liked it. I get a heck of a beating on You Tube comments for not turning the spoon upside down. My mug was not the best vessel to show off the separation either.

  7. 7 On October 8th, 2007, Jeff said:

    I tried this twice, and was not able to get it right. I used the large bottle of Guinness, not the Can or the bottle with the nitro ball thing… Is there a difference?

  8. 8 On February 17th, 2008, David said:

    I see you make the traditional Bass/Guinness black and tan. I’m wondering if anybody else has tried variations with American brews. I’ve tried a number of combinations. My current favorite pairs Magic Hat #9 with Brooklyn Brewery’s Black Chocolate Stout.

  9. 9 On February 18th, 2008, Ron said:

    I tried this varient where I enjoyed the dark half, but not the light half as much:
    http://hop-talk.com/2006/12/06/upside-down-black-tan/

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