While the syllabus details each pour step-by-step in writing, seeing the process in action might help bring it to life a bit better.
Below you’ll find videos on (1) pouring a standard draught beer, (2) pouring a beer and cutting it with a beer spatula, and (3) pouring a nitro beer.
There’s also a video on how to change a keg (and reset the FOB detector), plus a few extra clips on how different coupler types work.
Finally, there’s a bonus video on how to pour cask beer, just to point out how different it is from draught beer. That said though, cask is not a focus for this exam.
1. Pouring a standard draught beer:
Check out this demo from Master Cicerone Neil Witte on the perfect pour.
In addition to the pouring technique itself, also notice the cold water rinse of the glass before filling, and the recap on how we can identify a beer clean glass when filled with beer.
2. Pouring a beer and cutting with a beer spatula:
Here’s a demo of the technique commonly used in Belgium and the Netherlands of cutting with a beer spatula. (Note: Excuse the pageantry here! To jump right ahead to the “cutting” go to 1:33.)
3. Pouring a nitro beer:
Finally, here’s how to pour a nitro beer, featuring the world’s best known nitro beer: Guinness. The pour begins at 0:28.
Changing a keg:
Once a keg is empty, a new keg needs to be connected. Learn how to change a keg (and reset the FOB detector) for various different coupler types.
G- or U-type coupler
The below video shows how to change a keg with a G- or U-type coupler and reset the FOB detector. (Notice how this coupler type has a button underneath the handle that is pressed in order to disengage the coupler.)
D- or S-type coupler
To see how a D- or S-type coupler works, watch this video from 0:19. (Notice how these couplers have their handles pulled out (towards the user) and then raised “up” to disengage or “down” to re-engage.)
A- or M-type coupler
To see how the A- or M-type coupler works, watch this video from 5:39 – 5:45. (Notice how these “slider” couplers simply slide into place over the keg valve and the coupler handle is lowered down to engage.)
Bonus: Pouring a cask beer
I’ve included a bonus video on how to pour a cask beer with a swan neck faucet, just to show how it differs from pouring draught beer. (Note: this is not covered on the syllabus at this level.)
