Beer School: Nitro Beer
Alright, so today’s beer school post has been months in the making. It’s been on my list since before I even launched Belgian Lace. When people ask me about my blog and what I do, I even use this post as an example. “I do some ‘beer school’ posts where I lay out the answers to beer FAQs. Things that I know in theory but might not be able to articulate in detail like, ‘What does it mean when a beer is on nitro?’” I don’t know why I’ve been procrastinating this post. Nitro beer is a gift from the beer gods. If there is a beer on nitro at a bar or taproom, chances are I will order it. And today I’m going to answer the simple question: What’s a nitro beer?
Normal beer tap lines are pushed out with CO2. Thus making your beer nicely bubbled and carbonated. Nitro taplines on the other hand are pushed mostly with N2, which is not soluble in liquid. And for science reasons, this means smaller bubbles. The end result is a smooth, almost frothy mouthfeel. I’ve described it as creamy in the past.
Obviously, the stout is the obvious choice for nitro pours. For many of us, Guiness was probably the first nitro beer we ever had. It’s a classic. It’s a classic because it just works! The heavy flavors become a bit more palatable, and the dark color of the brew so effortlessly highlights that cascading factor. Plus the contrast between a black beer with a smooth nitro head is just gorgeous.
But I love when places experiment with their nitro pours too! As a hop-averse beer drinker, nitro pours make IPAs a bit more palatable for me. You could argue that you lose some of the potency of the original recipe, but I say you’re just offering people another option. And maybe they’ll order that same brew on regular tap next time!
I love nitro beers, you guys. I can specifically recall times when I’ve ordered a beer, found out they had it on nitro after the fact, and was filled with so, so much regret. If it’s an option, I’ll probably take it. And next time someone asks you what it means when a beer is on nitro, you’ve got my nitro 101 crash course ready to go.