Guinness Nitrosurge

[Desert Orchid]

I'm pretty sure someone on here will know more about this than me.

The other day I ordered Guinness Nitrosurge via Amazon cos it seemed to be working out at about £1.70 a pint, not noticing/realising that you needed a separate device for it to work. The device costs around £23, also via Amazon.

A couple of things I could do with answers to, please?

Does the device have a lifespan, ie, is it limited to x number of pints poured? If so, how many?

If I pour a can without the device is it like a normal can or is it more like the pre-widget stuff?

Any replies appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

M.

 

[Dingo Bingo]

I'm pretty sure someone on here will know more about this than me.

The other day I ordered Guinness Nitrosurge via Amazon cos it seemed to be working out at about £1.70 a pint, not noticing/realising that you needed a separate device for it to work. The device costs around £23, also via Amazon.

A couple of things I could do with answers to, please?

Does the device have a lifespan, ie, is it limited to x number of pints poured? If so, how many?

If I pour a can without the device is it like a normal can or is it more like the pre-widget stuff?

Any replies appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

M.

I'd never heard of this. From checking it out, the device has a rechargeable battery. A full charge taking 8 hours, but a charge of around 8 - 10 mins is good for 2 - 3 pints. I'd imagine you'd get at least 100 pints, Maurice, so maybe add 23p on your maximum per pint cost. Could be a lot less if 8 hours for a full charge, but 8 mins gives 2 - 3 pints. You'd assume you'd get a few full charges out of it.

The widget in normal cans agitates the nitrogen that is infused into the Guinness, so when you open a can you get that big hiss, which causes the nitrogen molecules to release from the stout. It's my understanding that this new device does it via sonic vibrations (like a jewelry cleaner), you also get a little pouring nozzle.
So I think if you poured it without the sonic attachment it would be pretty flat. Maybe it would defuse from the stout in your stomach, so maybe you'll be releasing the gas yourself over a few hours?

I've also read that people are very gently open the normal draught Guinness cans, just enough to allow the widget to float to the top without agitating the stout, then clamping on the new sonic device to get a better pour, but you don't get a full pint, so you'd need to buy some 500ml Guinness glasses (you see them sometimes on ebay). They do it that way to save money, as the new cans give you the full pint, but are more expensive. It's the usual marketing thing, they're not adding a widget, so should be cheaper, yet due to the gimmick factor (maybe development costs), they charge more for less.

 

[Desert Orchid]

All correct, DB, I think.

Anyway, to update...

When I ordered the Guinness I didn't realise it needed a separate device (I thought it was all part of the package I was ordering) so when the cans arrived with no device I asked to return the Guinness. I was eventually told beer is a non-returnable item so they just refunded me the cost of the cans, ergo free Guinness... which, as you say, was flat (cos I had to try one, didn't I?)

I gave it a wee bit of thought and eventually decided to give the device a go. Approx 100 pints on a single charge and I'd expect the device to last a number of years. The Guinness itself was working out at something like 1.80 per pint, so less than half the pub price. Between us, I reckon my future son-in-law and his father will manage to ensure the device requires several recharges over the years so the longer it lasts the cheaper it will work out.

It cost just under £30 so 30p a pint if I use it for 100 cans. I can see us using it a lot more than that.

 

[Dingo Bingo]

All correct, DB, I think.

Anyway, to update...

When I ordered the Guinness I didn't realise it needed a separate device (I thought it was all part of the package I was ordering) so when the cans arrived with no device I asked to return the Guinness. I was eventually told beer is a non-returnable item so they just refunded me the cost of the cans, ergo free Guinness... which, as you say, was flat (cos I had to try one, didn't I?)

I gave it a wee bit of thought and eventually decided to give the device a go. Approx 100 pints on a single charge and I'd expect the device to last a number of years. The Guinness itself was working out at something like 1.80 per pint, so less than half the pub price. Between us, I reckon my future son-in-law and his father will manage to ensure the device requires several recharges over the years so the longer it lasts the cheaper it will work out.

It cost just under £30 so 30p a pint if I use it for 100 cans. I can see us using it a lot more than that.

Did it work OK. Did you get a perfect head? Full pint glass? Can't get them down here.

I was making absolutely delicious cider and it was so simple and quick. I'll stick the method on here at some point. Need a soda stream (or bottle of soda water), some cider yeast from home brew shop and an airlock bung, that's it, oh and little bit of sugar. I was using presa pink lady apple juice from supermarket. Takes 2 - 3 minutes to prep, 10 days later you're enjoying crisp cider.

 

[Desert Orchid]

Yes, it worked fine, Chris.

I would have to say, though, that the only advantage it has over the widget cans is the full pint, which Guinness could probably remedy by selling 500ml cans which would just about fill a pint glass with the head. The nitrosurge pint cans are a full pint and if you don't quite get the pour right there are a few ml still in the can at the end of the pour.

If anyone was thinking of buying the nitrosurge I would say it maybe isn't really worth the expense. It's a nice enough pint but I wouldn't say it is any better than the widget can and definitely not as good as a proper pub pint.

Then again, not all pubs pour a good pint so the widget and nitrosurge cans at least have the consistency of quality.

 

[Dingo Bingo]

Now I'm back home, here's my cider method.
Things you need.....
A homebrew airlock with bung.
Cider yeast from homebrew shop.
Maybe a couple of cable ties.
Apple juice,
Sugar.
Soda Stream (or bottled soda water).

I use Presha apple juice, it's cold pressed pink lady apples (not sure if available in UK). Any apple juice will do, but make sure it has ZERO preservatives in it. Made from concentrate is fine too, but again ZERO preservatives. You want a 2L bottle as the small bung and airlock fits in nicely/

1) Pour a small glass out 200 - 250ml, than add 100g of sugar. Put the top back on and shake until sugar dissolved.
2) Take lid back off and add 1/2 teaspoon of cider yeast. Put lid back on and give it a swirl (no need to shake). Trying not to get yeast stuck on neck of bottle.
3) Pour a bit of boiling water over the bung. You can use a sanitiser (a few drops in a bowl is enough).
4) Take the top back off and store. Replace with bung/airlock.
5) At this point it is wise (from experience) to use 2 small cable ties. Make a loose loop with one around the lip at the top of bottle neck, then feed the other through that loop and over the bung, the tichten both up. It's just to hold the bung down firmly.

That's it. Place in a semi warm dark place. I'm in the tropics, so I went for the coolest place. Within a couple of hours it will start fermenting. Leave it for around week. After this time the airlock will have totally stopped bubbling. If it's still producing the odd bubble, leave it for another day or so. It should also be visually clear.

Now take it back ot the kitchen. Snip the cable ties and remove bung. Pour boiling water over the original top which your stored, (or dip in sanitiser solution) and screw top back onto bottle.
Place in fridge. I put it in the door shelf where the milk goes.
The coldness of the fridge crashes the yeast (kills it) and it sinks to the bottom. Over the next 48 - 72 hours it will become very clear.

You now have flat cider around 6 - 8% ABV. Depends how much sugar you add (the 100g will give around 6.5% ABV). No sugar added will give you around 4%, so only 2% when diluted and probably be very dry. Likewise, if you add 200g of sugar, you'll be up around the 9%ABV (diluted 50/50 to 4.5%). See next paragraph for dilution.

When you want a glass of cider, pour carefully from the bottle so as not to disturb the yeast (it tends to clog up the indentation in bottom of bottle and hold/solidify there well) and fill glass to around half way. Fill your soda stream bottle up with chilled/icy cold water and give it a real good blast, get lots of Co2 in (make it fart 2 - 3 times). Top up glass of flat cider with soda water, job done, you've got 3.5% crisp cider. If you want stronger cider, I would suggest adding more sugar initially, rather than using less soda water, as you want that fizz in the final product.

Instead of addign sugar, I have used blackcurrent & blackberry concentrate (preservative free), also rose & elderflower concentrate, as these are sugar based syrups they can be used to replace the adding of sugar. Have also used coffee sugar which came out well, had a nice bite to it.
As it's easy to prep, I used to make 3 at a time (6L) and keep in fridge. It was nice having a selection to choose from too. It stores in fridge for a good while and the flavours slowly develop as well, but it's good to go after 48 - 72 hours in fridge (10 days from start).

If you like cider, I couldn't recommend this method more. Adjust volume according to consumption. Works out very cheap (cost of apple juice basically). There's also something very nice knowing you made it and playing with different sugars and syrup concentrates. Just avoid any preservatives at all cost, as they kill the yeast and it simply won't work.

Cheers.

 

[Desert Orchid]

I'm afraid I can't drink cider as my system reacts badly to the acidity.