I'm perplexed , making a black and tan is much harder than it seems - yet the guiness refuses to sit on top

Question

I've tried so many times to make an authentic B & T and I even have a pour over turtle thing for pint glasses , but the density of the beers just doesn't want to cooperate with me. Guiness is supposed to be less dense and float on the Bass, the same with something like murphy's irish stout and harp. These mix pretty quickly. Interestingly enough, I've managed to make one successful type that I made up -- It's sam adams ale and Rasputin imperial stout (heavy beer) ; it makes a nice Tan and black with no mixing. Can anyone fill me in on the mystery of the true black and tan.

Answer 1

The easiet way....the bass has to be a lil bit colder than the Guiness. pour the bass first, let it settle, then take a spoon, hold it upside down and VERY slowly pour the Guiness in, over the spoon, it'll slow it down when it hits the bass. It should work just fine.

Answer 2

You need to use the flat spoon and pull the tap handle on the guiness all the way after you pour the half glass of Bass or Harp.

Without the spoon they will mix every time. Also you may want to tip the glass slightly and hit the Guiness in the center of the spoon causing it to slide down to the edge of the glass, pulling the spoon up as you build it.

Remember to always build your Guiness with a nice slow pour. Do it in 2 - 3 steps to fill the glass. Too many bartenders want to fill the pint to the top and hand it over. Never do this. It gives a rocky pour and effects the taste. A well built Guiness should take 5 - 7 minutes to build. If your customers don't care at least let it stand half way and finish after it settles pour again. I always did it in thirds.

If your doing this at home use the back of a spoon and have the spoon touch the side of the glass. Pour the Guiness over the spoon. You need to use the Guiness in the can or bottle with the nitrogen widget capsule also. Guiness makes another stout in the bottle that is CO's carbonated and that won't work.

semi retired bartender of 8 years

Answer 3

Pour the darker beer into the glass first, then get a rag and wipe the inside of the glass so that the half that is empty is completely dry (that is the trick). Then very carefully pour the light beer down the side of the glass VERY SLOWLY. The light beer will sit on the top of the dark beer and you have your black and tan. I've only used this with Guiness (dark) & Harp (light).
This also works well in make B52's, that is Kahula & Baliey Irish Creme (I think I murdered the spelling there).

Answer 4

I've watched my husband make them and you are right, they are not easy to make. He is successful sometimes and sometimes not. What he does is he takes a teaspoon and pours the Guiness over the back of the spoon SLOWLY. You just want the Guiness to flow into the glass and sit on the Bass ale. So maybe give that a try. The spoon method is the only thing that has worked for him so far.

Answer 5

Black and Tan Drink Recipe

1 part Bass Pale Ale
1 part Guinness Stout


Mixing Instructions:

Fill stein half full with Bass. Next pour Guinness over a spoon slowly until glass is full. If done correctly the Guinness will stay on top and the Bass on bottom hence the name Black & Tan.

You have to pour the Bass very slowly

Answer 6

One thing that no one is mentioning is that the Guinness should go off the spoon and trickle down the side of the glass onto the other beer. If the guinness is going from tap to spoon to beer it's going to be a bad pour. If it hits the glass first it will slow down and layer nicely. Also get rid of all the foam of the first before first!