Best Nitrogen Beer Taps For Guinness: Where To Buy?

If you're looking to pour the perfect pint of Guinness at home, you'll need to invest in a nitrogen beer tap. Guinness uses a blend of nitrogen and CO2 to create its signature creamy head, so you'll need a keg system that can accommodate this. You have a few options: a Guinness draught kegerator, which includes all the necessary components, or you can convert an existing kegerator with a Guinness kegerator conversion kit. Either way, you'll need a stout faucet, a nitrogen regulator, a U-system keg coupler, and a filled nitrogen gas tank. You can find these products at specialist retailers or online.

Online retailers

There are several online retailers that sell nitrogen beer taps for Guinness. Here is a list of some options:

KegWorks

KegWorks offers a kit that includes all the necessary components for dispensing a keg of Guinness at home. The kit includes a stout faucet, a nitrogen regulator, a U-system keg coupler, and all the adapters needed for a proper connection. They also provide detailed instructions on how to set up and use the equipment.

BeverageFactory

BeverageFactory offers a range of products related to dispensing Guinness, including nitrogen tanks, generators, regulators, and accessories. They offer various sizes of nitrogen air tanks, such as the Kegco 22 Cu. Ft. Nitrogen Air Tank and the Kegco 33 Cu. Ft. Nitrogen Air Tank, which are currently on sale at a discounted price.

MicroMatic

MicroMatic is a global leader in draft equipment solutions and offers specialized equipment for dispensing stout beers like Guinness. They recommend using a stout type faucet, a 75% nitrogen / 25% CO2 gas blend, and a dispense pressure of 38 lbs to retain the intended taste of the beer. MicroMatic provides comprehensive knowledge and equipment for dispensing draft beers.

Amazon

Amazon offers the Guinness Draught Nitrosurge Device, which is a rechargeable device that uses ultrasonic technology to create a smooth, two-part pour for your Guinness. It is designed to work exclusively with Guinness NITROSURGE cans and gives you control over the iconic Guinness pour. The device is simple to use, waterproof, and comes with a 1-year warranty.

The Guinness Store

The official Guinness store offers the NITROSURGE device, which is designed to deliver the iconic two-part pour that Guinness is known for. The device uses innovative technology to create a smooth and satisfying Guinness drinking experience at home. It is simple to use and designed by Guinness innovators, designers, and taste experts.

Kegerator conversion kits

If you want to dispense Guinness on tap, you will need a kit with the proper European keg couplers and nitrogen tanks.

Nitrogen tanks

When choosing a nitrogen tank, it is important to consider the type of gas, size, and material. For dispensing Guinness beer or other stouts, nitrogen cylinders are required. The size of the tank will depend on the user's needs and the compatibility of their kegerator setup. Most home brewers prefer the 5-pound nitrogen cylinder as it is easy to carry and transport. Aluminium cylinders are generally considered superior to steel due to their lightweight and corrosion-resistant properties.

Additionally, nitrogen tanks play a crucial role in achieving the proper pressure for specialty taps and providing the necessary gas consistency for nitrogen blending and dispensing systems. With the right setup, including a stout faucet, nitrogen regulator, and U-system keg coupler, you can enjoy the iconic creamy, tight head of a perfectly poured Guinness at home.

Gas blends

Guinness uses a nitrogen and carbon dioxide (CO2) blend to push the beer through the lines, rather than just CO2 like a traditional draft beer system. This gas blend is what gives Guinness its distinctive creamy, tight head. The gas blend usually consists of 75% nitrogen and 25% CO2, although this can vary slightly.

Nitrogen is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, and mostly inert gas that constitutes 78% of the Earth's atmosphere. It is perfect for blending with CO2 and providing the extra push required during dispensing. Nitrogen does not dissolve very well in beer, and much of it comes out of the solution almost immediately after pouring, creating the visual cascading effect. Additionally, nitrogen tends to form smaller bubbles than CO2, resulting in a dense, persistent head on nitro-poured stouts or pub ales.

CO2 is natural in the brewing process and is considered an essential ingredient in a brewer's recipe. It has flavour characteristics and must be maintained with the gas pressure source while dispensing, or the draft beer will become flat or gassy. Undesirable carbonation results in flavour changes and performance issues, including excess foam. The key is to apply the correct blended gas ratio to maintain equilibrium in the keg, where CO2 in the beer neither leaves nor enters the beer.

The gas blend ratio is based on the product's CO2 volumes, the temperature of the beer, and the required applied pressure to the keg. For stouts like Guinness, a 25% CO2 and 75% nitrogen blend is ideal, while ales and lagers require a 60% CO2 and 40% nitrogen ratio. Domestic lagers from large American brewers will need a higher CO2 ratio, with 75% CO2 and 25% nitrogen.

Nitrogen gas generators have become a popular solution for bars and restaurants, as they provide a cost-effective and safe way to produce nitrogen on-demand for beverage dispensing. They eliminate the need for expensive nitrogen deliveries and can be used to dispense various beverages, including draft beer, wine, cocktails, and coffee.

Stout faucets

A stout faucet is essential to achieving the cascading effect that is a staple of Guinness on tap.

The stout faucet has a different type of handle that pulls forward and down. There's also a tiny restrictor disc inside the faucet head. When Guinness and other stouts are forced through the disc, the beer forms a unique head.

Nitro Stout Beer Faucet - Chrome

This faucet is an economical way to dispense nitrogen-powered brews such as Guinness, Murphy's, Beamish, and other creamy stouts. It has a solid metal construction with a chrome-plated finish for a sleek, stylish look. The faucet's lever has a spring-loaded action for convenient pouring. It is compatible with standard shanks and beer towers.

Stout Faucet Stainless Steel Lever

This is the faucet used with a nitrogen/CO2 gas mixture. It requires a Nitrogen Regulator and Nitrogen Tank for serving. The shank, tubing, and tap handle are sold separately.

Stout Beer Faucet 304 Food Grade Stainless Steel - Nitrogen Draught and Nitro Coffee Faucet by Royal Brew

This faucet is built to handle acidic beverages like coffee and draft beer. It works with all standard shanks and beer towers. It can also be used to serve traditional tap beers by removing the restrictor disc inside and attaching a CO2 gas setup.

Frequently asked questions