I can't get a good nitro pour

[6Trails]

And it's driving me mad.

I'm on 75/25 gas (everything from 25 to 40psi), about 5 beers on it now and the general way it goes is that it will pour a stout very white looking initially, it'll start to cascade to black but about half way up the glass it'll slow down and the head will sort of lower to meet it. Leaves me with about 2 - 2.5 inches of head every time. The head itself looks good and tight/creamy.
Anyone perfect this setup that can advise? Cheers.

 

[Rodcx500z]

How much head do you need

 

[YeastFace]

How are you nitrogenating it?

Some suggest carbing with Co² to a level and then puttting it on mixed gas. I found that to be too foamy.

Now I just use mixed gas from the off, with a carbonation stone. Takes longer but end result is worth it to me.

In terms of pressure, as you're using 75/25 you'll need to set your pressure to 4 times what you would using Co2.

So aiming for 2 vols at 5°c you'd use 7.3psi, with your mixed gas you'd need 29.2

This article is useful - https://beersmith.com/blog/2023/02/14/carbonating-your-beer-with-stout-mix-gas/

 

[Frisp]

And it's driving me mad.

I'm on 75/25 gas (everything from 25 to 40psi), about 5 beers on it now and the general way it goes is that it will pour a stout very white looking initially, it'll start to cascade to black but about half way up the glass it'll slow down and the head will sort of lower to meet it. Leaves me with about 2 - 2.5 inches of head every time. The head itself looks good and tight/creamy.
Anyone perfect this setup that can advise? Cheers.

I have a similar issue, 10m 3/16 line 32psi 70/30 and a stout tap. on a Keezer. 1st pint is always livelier. Best I have managed is on 2nd pint pour 1/3 with tap pulled toward me down the side of the glass and let it settle. then still pouring down the side of the glass push the tap handle away. however as I have to level the glass the head starts to expand and ends up more that 1" thick. the more pints I pull the better it pours though.

 

[6Trails]

How are you nitrogenating it?

Some suggest carbing with Co² to a level and then puttting it on mixed gas. I found that to be too foamy.

Now I just use mixed gas from the off, with a carbonation stone. Takes longer but end result is worth it to me.

In terms of pressure, as you're using 75/25 you'll need to set your pressure to 4 times what you would using Co2.

So aiming for 2 vols at 5°c you'd use 7.3psi, with your mixed gas you'd need 29.2

This article is useful - https://beersmith.com/blog/2023/02/14/carbonating-your-beer-with-stout-mix-gas/

The first time round I did the CO2 thing but after that didn't work I've just started putting it straight on the 75/25 as soon as it's kegged. I've tried 25, 30, and 40 psi so far but they're all giving me the same pour. Does it improve with time? This latest one is kegged and on gas a month now.

I took a video yesterday, as good a one as I could get with phone/tap/glass and 2 hands - if I get it uploaded somewhere I'll post it up here too.

 

[6Trails]

The resolution might be a bit messed up to get it down to size.

 

[Frisp]

The resolution might be a bit messed up to get it down to size.

Yep try pouring 1/4 a glass pulling yhe handle . Let it settle out. Then finish the pour pushing yhe handle away from you. Im told the push doesn't use as much gas as the pull does in the pour

 

[LeeH]

How can that be when the gas is already in the solution and is connected to the keg.

Solutions are;
Never pre gas with CO2
Use 70/30
Control your keg temp well
Use 3/16 line on a homebrew set up
Unsure the lines are cool, as a solution warms it will release the absorbed gas
Nitrogen takes longer to absorbs so use a carbonation chart, Google jolly good beer, and give it time. 2 weeks even at the correct temp and pressure.
30 PSI at around 5 degs is a sensible target I think.

 

[RoomWithABrew]

You don't need to balance the beer line as you would for CO2 served beer. The stout spout/ faucet has a restriction plate in it.
My setup is 85cm of 5mm internal beer line.
Set reg to about 30 to 35 psi, ensure beer is cool and does not have CO2 above about 1.3 vols.
The usual reason for foamy stout pours on beer gas is too much CO2.

 

[Rento]

How can that be when the gas is already in the solution and is connected to the keg.

Solutions are;
Never pre gas with CO2
Use 70/30
Control your keg temp well
Use 3/16 line on a homebrew set up
Unsure the lines are cool, as a solution warms it will release the absorbed gas
Nitrogen takes longer to absorbs so use a carbonation chart, Google jolly good beer, and give it time. 2 weeks even at the correct temp and pressure.
30 PSI at around 5 degs is a sensible target I think.

I agree…after far too long trying to get a decent pour I had a chat with the guys at malt miller as I thought it may just be my nukatap that was garbage. But after the chat I reduced the temp on my fridge to 6c and put the tap on the door with half a meter of 3/16 rather than on a remote line. I then put a newly brewed stout straight on the 70/30 and left for a week…..it poured perfect first time!

 

[6Trails]

Is that the really tiny line, the one that you can't use with CO2 pours? How did you do the connections from that to the tap & keg?

 

[Rento]

Is that the really tiny line, the one that you can't use with CO2 pours? How did you do the connections from that to the tap & keg?

Yes, just use step down JG fittings. You can use it for anything, I also use it for co2

 

[RoomWithABrew]

Is that the really tiny line, the one that you can't use with CO2 pours? How did you do the connections from that to the tap & keg?

I use a 3mm 4mm external 2mm internal beer line for my saison keg at 3.5 vols. Using the adapters from John Guest to fit into the tap and ball lock.

 

[6Trails]

I've ordered some 8mm to 3/16 push-in reducers and some 3/16 beer line, fingers crossed.