Guinness Surger

Suckit · 31-12-2021 3:11am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118387173#Comment_118387173

€15 in Tesco tomorrow (for 24)

khmk · 03-01-2022 6:50pm

Anyone know if there's any around Limerick atm?

BuildTheWall · 06-01-2022 2:57pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118340526#Comment_118340526

if the widget is at the top of the can when you open it does it mean you haven’t done it properly? Finding this trick quite difficult to master.

Thundercats Ho · 06-01-2022 3:24pm

Use a drawing pin / compass / a small pointy thing..

Push into the area i've circled red, on the can.

Gently rotate the pin so that the gas gives a slight hiss.

All the gas will be gone in 30 secs or so.

Once the can loses its firmness, then you're good to open it and use with the surger.

Macy0161 · 06-01-2022 3:27pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118427010#Comment_118427010

Still floats. If you get beer (or a big fountain of beer) you've activated the widget in the beer. In my experience, you've not shaken the can too much and/or let the can sit a minute or two first you get air rather than beer out the pin prick. Whether it makes a real difference either way is a different matter! Maybe it should be filed with the 2 part pour myth.

06-01-2022 3:29pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118427010#Comment_118427010

The widget floats to the top either way. It's a floating device after all.

The guy above pierces the side of the can.

I push a dart down into the top(which is thicker) and try to leave it hanging in there(safer to hold it in place as trying to leave it balanced can sometimes see it pop out and activate).

It will depend what you're using to pierce. If it's really small it could take way longer to disperse. Basically you want to hear the hiss of gas coming out while the piercing device is still entered into the can.. if the hiss turns to a gargling the nitrogen has activated.

Sometimes I'll end up with a small proportion of head but I keep a cup with water and a spoon and I'll scoop most of that out before surging.. that's only relevant to the jewellery cleaner though and not the Nitrosurge.

BuildTheWall · 06-01-2022 3:31pm

Thanks for the replies.

Why do you put the pin in that specific area? In the YouTube video above it says to do it where the can opener and the actual can itself meet.

If you’ve got bubbles when you open the can, does that mean you’ve activated the widget?

06-01-2022 3:47pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118427362#Comment_118427362

It's just where I put it initially. Depends what tools you have to hand and I didn't fancy putting a dart in through the side.

There isn't an exact science to it, and the only goal is to get the gas out without activating the widget. So don't read into the video too much.

You will always have a certain amount of bubbles and you can even activate some of the nitrogen but not all(where you get a smaller surge). The gurgling and full activation only usually happens when the hole is completely exposed to the open air.

I will scoop most of the excess out, otherwise that head sits on top of the surged head.

Feisar · 06-01-2022 3:51pm

Can someone explain to me why the two part pour is a myth? It allows the head to thicken and therefore when topped up sit slightly above the glass to give the domed effect. No one is claiming transubstantiation is taking place.

06-01-2022 3:54pm

I generally do it now but that's more to do with the fact that if the drinks goes to the top as is from the cab, surging the whole can means it overflows. I have a 500ml glass and the 500ml cans will overflow with the surge.

So I've started to do similar with the 538ml cans.

Outside of overflowing issues I don't find there to be any difference to look or taste, as you said the head is set intitally so the top up only goes below the head so makes no ends to hold it unless the glass can overflow.

Macy0161 · 06-01-2022 4:00pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118427362#Comment_118427362

I use a thumb tack in the bit you push in with the ring pull and hold it there while the first air releases. I wouldn't sweat it too much - plenty think the "pin trick" is nonsense and makes no difference. And they'll be little extra value in 500ml compared to 568ml Nitrosurge cans from here on in - although I'll still use it with O'Hara's and other widget cans. (Actually picked up on instagram using the surger for the very last bits of carbonated cans to give a bit of head).

2 part pour dates back to casks, not used since the 50's.

BeerNut · 06-01-2022 7:22pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118427555#Comment_118427555

That it has any effect beyond the appearance of the pint at the moment of presentation is a myth. That a pint poured off in one is somehow broken all the way down is a myth.

celt262 · 07-01-2022 3:57pm

Have the 6 pack nitrosurge pack been affect by MUP?

Macy0161 · 07-01-2022 4:03pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118433869#Comment_118433869

No. Well not yet might be more appropriate. It looks like they were priced taking it into account, so they seemed expensive compared to the slab offers, not so much now compared to 500ml packs.

ozmo · 07-01-2022 4:37pm

Tried last weekend just one can of real surger can with official surger device - and... not sure - but think I prefer the older Draft cans(standard without surger) - bubbles more noticeable with draft.

As far as I can tell its an ultrasonic device (like in a fog maker or jewelry cleaner) in the surger - so it's not adding nitrogen - it's just agitating the beer?

But a Draft can with widget however - introduces extra nitrogen as Nitrogen escapes from the widget ...

So would that mean the beer in the Draft cans has less Nitrogen - so wouldn't be as effective with the surger - as the Surger Device adds No new Nitrogen?

Just my guesses - let me know if its different to above?

07-01-2022 5:17pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118434159#Comment_118434159

Each to their own and I won't be telling you how to enjoy it.

But there isn't any way it comes out better with the widget in terms of looks and the heads smoothness.

The widget cans set in 20 seconds and is usually full of bubbles.

I will say the Nitrosurge device isn't a million miles better than the widget and I've returned to only using that when I have to go somewhere else.

The jewellery cleaner will give a really long surge and for my mind, the longer the surge, the better the head comes out.. less bubbles.

The best value is just to pierce the draught cans.

Nitrosurge just gives you a nicer domed head but it's consistency isn't much better than a widget after that. I haven't tried one in the jewellery cleaner but I'm sure if comes out as good as the other two cans.

1. Jewellery Cleaner

2. Nitrosurge

3. Widget

The gap between 1 and 2 is larger than 2 and 3.

Some people don't want the hassle of piercing cans and using a box to surge, so each to their own.. I'll take the extra time and effort but can see why some wouldn't.

DirkG · 07-01-2022 5:20pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118434159#Comment_118434159

Here's a link to an academic paper on the formation of nitrogen bubbles in Guinness, and the different methods used to "activate" the bubble formation process (it seems to pre-date the introduction of the latest USB surger device). It is authoritative and well worth a read - the widget in draft just squirts some Guinness and air into the can on depressurisation - basically the same method used with the plastic syringe supplied with the original take-home bottled draft Guinness (for those of you old enough to remember).

Remember air is nearly 80% nitrogen - the Guinness in widget cans is identical to the Guinness in "surger" and "nitro" cans. I've been using the new surger device since before Christmas and enjoying the crazy low prices that widget cans were being offered at. The fun is over now, but I am 100% sold on the merits of the new Surger device, it delivers a very good pint.

Necessity is surely the mother of invention - draft Guinness sales plummeted through lock-down and Guinness (to their credit) have been frantically innovating to deliver a good home pint at an affordable price. I think they have finally cracked it, and judging by the scarcity of the devices in shops it seems their biggest problem now is meeting rocketing demand.

Macy0161 · 07-01-2022 6:34pm

I'm definitely not their biggest fan, but Diageo hit the spot with the Guinness Zero too and haven't been able to keep up with demand either, despite the poor (from what I see) on trade uptake.

breeno · 07-01-2022 8:48pm

Any luck finding the cans this week? Checked dunnes and local super valu this evening and no joy. The 500ml cans don't quite cut it anymore after the nitros and the 538ml in the slabs

flogen · 08-01-2022 6:20pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118435730#Comment_118435730

I’ve seen surger cans in the Eurospar on the Ballymun Rd (next to the Slipper) and in Martins Off Licence in Finglas village.

Not sure if either are convenient for you - but maybe a local Eurospar might be an option as it’s less obvious than a proper supermarket?

I’m still on the lookout for an actual nitrosurger so having the opposite problem to many!

meath4sam · 08-01-2022 8:12pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118439908#Comment_118439908

just a few of them in Tesco Ashbourne if that’s any good to you.

flogen · 09-01-2022 10:56am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118440570#Comment_118440570

Thanks… might find an excuse to head in that direction today!

meath4sam · 09-01-2022 5:38pm

Dunnes in Ashbourne had cans and devices today.

looks like stock is starting to catch up.

quinney123 · 10-01-2022 12:22pm

Hi All

Looking to find if any places down the country are stocked up on the devices, nightmare to get them in Dublin and wondered due to less people in the Midlands and the west whether people are seeing them on a more regular basis?

Sheep Shagger · 10-01-2022 11:38pm

Lads, in addition to trying shops (and in my experience) try smaller Centra and SPAR shops as Tesco, Dunnes, O'briens seem to sell out fast.

Also, for cans. Try Tesco, Supervalu, Dunnes online shopping.

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000 · 11-01-2022 12:09am

Got 12 cans on my way home tonight, two cans got the usual half hour in the freezer, poured it and it came out in icy chunks! Turns out the surger cans freeze a whole lot quicker than the normal widget draught ones. Two cans and about five euro down the drain... ugh!

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000 · 11-01-2022 12:10am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118448473#Comment_118448473

Yeah the devices are everywhere, a lot of the smaller shops have loads, it's the cans that are a problem.

Macy0161 · 11-01-2022 11:33am

Cans will probably catch up as the pre-christmas widget slabs a run down - maybe less going into widget cans from here on in too?

ozmo · 11-01-2022 4:05pm

No Surger - but I have the soda stream here and some widget cans- and was just wondering if I should try experimenting with co2 instead of nitrogen.... :)

and... nah, as expected - its a bad idea - found below someone who beat me to it...

https://youtu.be/WKsKKhSkRpE?t=88