How To Pour A Black And Tan Cocktail For Flawless Layers
If you've ever ordered a black and tan cocktail before, you may have wondered how the bartender managed to create such flawless layers in a glass of beer. Did they summon some kind of mixology magic? No, but there is a key trick to getting the perfect pour — and it's easier than you might think.
Black and tan cocktails are a combination of two beers, namely a dark stout like Guinness and a pale ale such as Bass. You start with the pale ale, which is meant to stay on the bottom of the glass, then top it off with the stout. Though the two will inevitably get mixed while you drink, the visual impact of being handed a clearly divided pint is part of the experience.
However, you won't pour beer like normal when making a black and tan. Instead, to keep the two layers separated, pour the stout over the back of a spoon. This allows the darker beer to more slowly enter the glass and gently settle on top of the ale without mixing.
Call it a half-and-half in Ireland
The reason the two layers remain separated is due to the different densities of the liquids. Despite being a heavier-tasting and higher-alcohol stout, Guinness actually has the lower density of the two beers, allowing the pale ale to support its weight. Not all beers are created equally dense, however, which is why many bartenders use tried-and-true Bass ale for this layered drink.
You don't need any special equipment to make a black and tan. However, if you're looking for a gift for the beer lover who has everything, you may want to consider a Guinness-branded pouring spoon like this one (some Irish pubs reportedly keep a dedicated spoon for this purpose, too).
A word of warning: don't order a black and tan in Ireland. In the early part of the 20th century, a British paramilitary group attempted to brutally squelch Irish rebellion. Their uniform consisted of dark shirts paired with tan-colored pants, so they were called the "black and tans." If you want to show respect to the Irish people, order the half-and-half instead. This particular beer cocktail may use lager, not pale ale, but you'll avoid a potentially awkward situation in the pub.