The right equipment, glassware and care

The right equipment and glassware

Glassware

• 1 or ½ liter mug

Tap

• recommended tap: side-pour tap
• recommended gas: biogon (80 % N2, 20 % CO2; mixture)
• pressure: 2,7–3 bar
• temperature of the beer: 5–8 °C

The perfectly poured lager must have plenty of nice thick foam which is one of the main differences between a poured Lager and a poured Ale. The side-pour tap – ideal for pouring lager as it allows the tapster to create plenty of dense wet foam.

Side-pour tap – anatomy specifics

• Ball valve – allows the tapster to regulate the flow of the beer/foam, i.e. they can regulate how much foam is produced. It can rotate up to 180°: fully open for drawing the beer, closed or semi-closed for drawing the dense wet foam.
• Note: speaking in terms of the handle – the tap is closed in the position of “3 and 9 o’clock”, it is fully open in the position of “6 o’clock” – i.e. in-between “3 and 6 o’clock” and in-between “6 and 9 o’clock” you get foam.
• The long faucet with a nozzle and a screen inside – the beer is pushed through the screen, creating thick and silky foam.

Side-pour tap – point of interest / the reason why

• Side-pour faucets have been used in The Czech Republic for years. They were designed for the perfect pour of a Pilsner beer / lager. Nowadays, the side-pour faucets are known around the world for their unique design and special pouring abilities.
• The side-pour tap allows the tapster to pour perfect, high-quality Pilsner / lager That means the tapster can pour the beer slowly, smoothly, in one go and create the desired thick and wet foam.
• The foam protects the beer against oxidation and works as a seal, capturing all the aroma, freshness and flavour. The beer stays fresher longer underneath the foam.
  The foam on a Pilsner / lager comes from the brewing process; it has nothing to do with the with the CO2 added into the keg.

The right care

Storage

• the beer has to be stored in a cold place, the recommended temperature: 5–8 °C

Care of glassware

• always using a clean sponge and a proper detergent
• there are bubbles of CO2 sticked on the wall of the glass if not cleaned properly

Care of the tap

• take care of the tap on a regular basis
• taps are cleaned by the tapster every day; the parts stay soaked in the water during the night
• ideally, the tap is sanitized twice a month

Everyday cleaning routine

• open the tap
• rinse it out
• clean all the parts using a brush
• rinse all the parts properly
• put them all in a glass with clean cold water